Crews in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will being work next week to demolish ten buildings in the historic Elkmont area.
Elkmont was a popular vacation destination in the days before the establishment of the national park, where generations of families owned getaway cabins. The park service will demolish most of the structures, but are saving 19 of them to preserve the history of that era.
Weather permitting, officials said work would begin Monday in the area near the former Wonderland Hotel. The cabins to be demolished are located along an administrative road that will be closed to pedestrians during the work.
Crews have already salvaged usable items from the structures for use in preserving historic structures in the park. The demolition work will be accomplished by lifting the structures from the infrastructure so that foundations and chimneys will be preserved in place if possible.
They hope to have it complete by April 30.
“I am proud of the work that we’re continuing in Elkmont as we move forward with both the preservation of the rich cultural history of the area and the restoration of unique, natural communities,” said Superintendent Cassius Cash. Later in 2018, park crews will begin preservation of the Sneed, Smith, Higdon, and Swan cabins in the Daisy Town area.
Later this year, workers will begin work to stabilize four historic cabins in the Daisy Town area of Elkmont. They will refurbish masonry features, replace rotted wood, do repairs, and paint.
Work is already complete on several cabins, and they are open to the public.
The Daisy Town area, Elkmont Cemetery, Spence Cabin, Appalachian Clubhouse, and Elkmont Campground will remain open throughout this work. Campers should expect noise throughout the day, but all quiet hours will be observed.