The Cades Cove settlement that existed before the founding of the national park consisted of some strong and influential women. Their legacy is still visible in Cades Cove today. Read up on the background of some important female figures in the area before your next visit. Here are a few women in Cades Cove history you should know about:
1. Rebecca “Becky” Cable
Becky Cable was the daughter of John P. Cable, who built the gristmill that still stands along the scenic loop road today. Becky had the exciting opportunity to spend her whole childhood in the scenic area and eventually bought a house with her brother, Dan. When he became sick, Becky took on the upkeep of the house, doing all of the hard tasks, such as chopping firewood, farming, and herding livestock. Even so, she took it all in stride with a solid work ethic. Becky even ran her father’s gristmill, a vital resource for farmers in the area.
She never married or had children and was granted a lifetime lease after the national park was established. Now her home forever remains the Becky Cable House in recognition of all her hard work. The structure still remains in Cades Cove near the Visitor Center and grist mill.
Fun Fact: This house was actually moved from its original location! It’s also one of the few painted buildings in the Smokies.
2. Lucretia Oliver
Lucretia Oliver was one of the first residents in Cades Cove when she arrived in 1818 with her husband John. They lived in a cabin that was close to where the John Oliver Cabin stands now. Lucretia Oliver and her husband were founding members of the Primitive Baptist Church. The congregation met in a small log cabin before they needed a bigger space. The Primitive Baptist church still stands on Cades Cove Loop Road. The structure is open to visitors, as you can go inside and look around. Sit in the rustic wooden pews and get on the preacher’s stand. Lucretia Oliver and her family are buried in the historic cemetery next to the church.
Fun Fact: Visitors can get a special permit to have their wedding in Cades Cove at the Primitive Baptist Church!
3. Inez (McCauley) Adams
In 1926, Inez Adams was born in Cades Cove. She and her family lived in the area until it became a national park. She was given the nickname “Granny” and was considered a walking history book about Cades Cove. She helped the NPS preserve pieces of history as a historian and photographer and was also a charter member of the Cades Cove Preservation Association. She passed away in 2016 at the age of 89. Everyone loved listening to her stories, and her legacy lives on through her work.
Role of Women in Cades Cove
Cades Cove was a thriving settlement, and the women played significant roles in the economy, prosperity, and community as:
- Healers: Used medicinal plants to provide care, such as the yarrow plant for wound healing and sassafras for blood thinning
- Midwives: Provided care for pregnant women and delivered babies
- Farming and Business: Cared for livestock and made goods, such as soap, to sell to other residents.
Learn More About Cades Cove History
These three women made significant contributions to the history of the Great Smoky Mountains and Cades Cove. Want to find out more? Read about some of the interesting historical structures in Cades Cove!
