Smokies Logging History

Our Smoky Mountain Forest History Center

When you come to see the Lumberjack Feud be sure to visit the Smoky Mountain Forest History Center. This museum chronicles the Great Smoky Mountain from early Native American occupation, to the influx of white settlers, a large focus on the logging boom during the 1900′s, which eventually led to the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1934. The museum will house  displays and artifacts relating the rich history of the Great Smokies.

Logging history in the Smoky Mountains

Log Pond at the Little River Lumber Company

Unbeknownst to many of the visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains, the region was originally sought for its valuable timber resources in the late 1800’s. Lumber companies from the Northeast found the untapped forests of the Smoky Mountains a profitable new venture. One of the largest lumber companies of the Smoky Mountains was the Little River Lumber Company in Townsend, which sawed over 750 million board feet of timber and built over 150 miles of railroad throughout the Smoky Mountains up until its closing in 1939.

The Last Log Through the Mill

On July 6, 1939 the last three logs were sent up the conveyor belt to the saw carriage and cut for the Little River Lumber Company. Afterwards the mill crew smothered the boiler fires and pulled the mill whistle for the last time. The employees of the mill and many of the residents of Townsend cried that day, aware that their lives would never be the same.

Fresh boards going through inspection at the Little River Lumber Company

During the 38 years of operations, the Little River Lumber Company sawed over 750 million board feet of timber and built over 150 miles of railroad throughout the Smoky Mountains. The company employed thousands of employees over its duration and at its peak the company had over 600 men and women working. The Little River Lumber Company didn’t only work its employees hard, but the machinery as well. They wore out 10 locomotives, three log leaders, several incline machines, two steam shovels, one ditcher, five steam-powered overhead skidders, and about 75 railroad flatcars.