While Cades Cove is a popular tourist attraction today, the land was just as beloved by the settlers who once called the area home. It thrived, as the valley was once home to almost 700 people. Visitors can still see their hard work in the park today. Read on to learn about one of the prominent families. Here is a list of everything you need to know about the Cable family in Cades Cove:
The Cables Arrived in Cades Cove
The first member of the Cable family to settle in Cades Cove was Peter Cable. He was a farmer who arrived in the area around 1820. Cable constructed an elaborate system to drain the swamps. The system prevented large amounts of water from flooding the farmland. Farmers protected their livelihood and were able to better feed their families. Peter Cable was not the only family member who would make his mark on Cades Cove.
John P. Cable and the Gristmill
John Cable was a descendant of Peter Cable. He had a son and a daughter named Dan and Rebecca (AKA: Becky). He was also a farmer who sought to make working on the land a little easier. To turn their corn or wheat into flour, farmers had to crush up the crops by hand in a very time-consuming process. To remedy this, John Cable built the iconic Cades Cove gristmill in 1867. It harnessed water power, which turned a wheel and operated a stone to grind wheat and corn.
Farmers could complete the flour-making process much faster. They had more time to focus on other work tasks or be with their families. An additional benefit of the gristmill was that it increased community. While waiting to use the gristmill, farmers talked to each other. This was the foundation for the popular tourist destination that we love today.
The Becky Cable House
The structure that would become the Becky Cable House was originally purchased by Dan and Becky. Becky expertly took over the upkeep of the house after Dan got sick. She did all the hard work, such as herding livestock and running the gristmill. When the national park was established, Becky was granted a lifetime lease and lived in her house until she died at the age of 96.
The Legacy of the Cable Family
The legacy of the Cable family is visible around Cades Cove today. The John Cable Mill is still in operation today (seasonally from March through October and on weekends in November) and is located near the Cades Cove Visitor Center. While the structure still has the original stones, it has received a new water wheel. You may have the opportunity to purchase freshly ground cornmeal.
As for the Becky Cable House, it was moved from its original spot and sits next to the Cable Mill! The Cades Cove Visitor Center can be accessed from Cades Cove Loop Road. Go inside to purchase souvenirs and get maps. You can even talk to a park ranger.
More Important Cades Cove Settlers
The Cable family isn’t the only prominent family in Cades Cove! Read on to learn more about the history of the Oliver Family!
