Little River Railroad Museum Offers Glimpse Back in Time

Monday March 01, 2004

TOWNSEND, Tenn. -- The peaceful community of Townsend, Tenn. owes a lot to the Little River Railroad that once weaved its way through the community and into the area that is now known as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The railroad, built in early 1901 by Col. W.B. Townsend, brought the community its first tourists -- visitors from nearby Knoxville. Today, tourism is the biggest industry in Townsend, with more than 1.5 million people entering the national park through the Townsend entrance. Visitors from Knoxville and the surrounding area traveled by train through Townsend to spend the day in the mountains. As word spread about the Smoky Mountains, its beautiful scenery and tranquil setting, people started buying land in the area to build summer cottages and cabins, Nichols said. Most people who visit the Townsend area today come for the same reasons. "Townsend is the crown jewel of the Smoky Mountains," said Herb Handly, executive vice president of the Smoky Mountains Visitors Bureau. "People come here because it’s different. It’s a place where you can come and slip back in time for a while, and enjoy the peaceful beauty of nature without all the headaches of ordinary life." While visiting the area, guests can learn more about the community’s rich mountain history at the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum, located on East Lamar Alexander Parkway. The museum is housed in the Walland train depot that was moved to the site in 1986. Hundreds of original photographs and artifacts, dating back to the early 1900s, chronicle the community’s booming railroad and lumber industry days. An old Shay locomotive that once pulled trains over the Smoky Mountains, sits on the front lawn. "We have kids and adults come here and spend hours," said Georgia Bradshaw, a guide at the museum whose family worked on the railroad years ago. "There’s so much history here, things you’d never know just by visiting the area." Included in that history is information on how the Great Smoky Mountains National Park got its start. In 1898, Col. W. B Townsend moved to Townsend from Pennsylvania, and bought 100,000 acres of timberland to start a lumber operation. Within two years, railroad tracks were laid and Townsend had the start of a booming lumber business that employed about 600 people. Col. Townsend was known as a generous man and a leader in the area. In 1926, he sold 77,000 acres of his mountain property to the state of Tennessee to become a part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, retaining cutting rights on some of the timber. The park, which now totals 500,000 acres, was officially established on June 15, 1934. The lumber company officially closed its sawmill at Townsend in 1938. The Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum is open Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. during June, July, August and October; Weekends during April, May & September. While admission is free, donations are appreciated and help to keep the museum open for business. For more information on the museum and to make arrangements for extended hours, please call (865) 448-2211. Townsend, Tenn. is located at the gateway of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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