One of the most popular and well-kept secrets of the Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee is the ghostly tale of Elkmont Ghost Town. The Elkmont area was first settled during the 1840s, and at that time, it was known as “Little River” because of its location in the upper Little River Valley.
Around 1901, the Little River Lumber Company was established when 86,000 acres of land were purchased in the area. Eventually, a railroad was built to transport the timber, and the boom was on. By the 1910s, Elkmont had become a tourist destination, where wealthy families from nearby Knoxville would take the train for a weekend getaway, eventually building cottages there.
In 1934, residents had to decide whether to sell their homes or sell them to the National Park Service at a discounted rate, allowing them to stay in their homes for the remainder of their lifetimes. The town became abandoned because of the national park, but some believe the former owners never left.
People have reported feeling a chill when entering some of the remaining buildings. Some have reported hearing strange noises and feeling as though they were being watched while on the premises.
Written By: John G. Clark Jr.