Cades Cove is a popular place to visit in the Smoky Mountains, where you can go hiking, horseback riding, and camping. This also comes with a ton of history from the settlers who were there years ago. One interesting historical property left behind by one of the prominent Cades Cove families is Tipton Place! Here is everything you need to know about the Tipton Place in Cades Cove:
The History of Tipton Place
William “Fighting Billy” Tipton, a Revolutionary War veteran, acquired the land where Tipton Place would later stand. He was the first of the Tiptons to move into Cades Cove after he was given a Tennessee Land Grant in the 1820s. Later in the 1870s, Colonel Hamp Tipton, a Civil War Veteran in the family, built Tipton Place. The area consisted of a two-story cabin, along with other buildings such as a bee apiary, a blacksmith shop, a corn crib, and a smokehouse. His daughters, Lucy and Lizzie, lived on the property and worked as school teachers in Cades Cove.
The Cantilever Barn
If you’ve heard of the famous cantilever barn in Cades Cove, you’re already familiar with Tipton Place. Cantilever barns are rare in Sevier County, and the barn on the Tipton Place property was the only one in Cades Cove! The barn is well-known likely because of its structure, as it does not look like a typical barn. The overhang, or cantilever, design helped farmers with storing their crops and protecting their animals. Of note, the cantilever barn that stands in Cades Cove today is not the original one! The building was replicated in 1968.
How to Get to Tipton Place
You can find Tipton Place when you travel along Cades Cove Loop Road. If you use the loop, you’ll have to drive, hike, or bike around 7 miles to find it. There is also the option to take the shortcut on Hyatt Lane to get there a little quicker. After passing the Cades Cove Visitor Center, the Cades Cove Nature trailhead, and Dan Lawson Place, Tipton Place will be the next stop.
Other Historical Structures
Looking to uncover more history in the area? There are plenty of historical buildings and structures to explore! Your journey will basically begin with the John Oliver Cabin and end with the Carter Shields Cabin. Not far into the Cades Cove Loop, you’ll find the Cades Cove churches. You’ll also have the opportunity to get up-close views of Elijah Oliver Place, Henry Whitehead Place, and Dan Lawson Place. At around the halfway point, you can see the Cable Grist Mill, where corn is still milled today! While you’re in that area of the loop, don’t forget to also stop by the Cades Cove Visitor Center to pick up some Cades Cove souvenirs to remind you of your visit.
Now that you know more about the Tipton Place in Cades Cove, you can look out for it when you visit Cades Cove. Want to know where to take the best pictures in the Cades Cove? Get some amazing photographs at one of these great spots! We can’t wait to see you soon!
