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11 Most Endangered
Elkmont Historic District
Year Listed: 2004
Location: Elkmont , Tennessee
Current Status: Saved
Threat: Deterioration, Neglect
Cabin 43 in the Elkmont Historic District, Tennessee. The Elkmont Historic District was on the 2004 America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list.
Credit: Patrick McIntyre
Significance
Nestled in the heart of America's most heavily visited national park, Elkmont is a link with the era when the park system was in its infancy. Originally established in 1908 as a base for logging operations, Elkmont housed many prominent figures lured by the Smokies' abundant hunting and fishing opportunities. After two-thirds of the area's forests had been depleted by logging, summer residents began advocating government protection for the region – an effort that eventually led to the establishment of the national park that now draws more than 9 million visitors annually.
Updates
After more than a decade of controversy, the National Park Service, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the Tennessee State Historic Preservation Office have signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) regarding Elkmont. The village of Elkmont includes 48 contributing properties, most of which are summer cabins; and all have suffered from demolition by neglect. According to terms outlined in the MOA, the National Park Service intends to remove 30 of the remaining 48 historic properties in the district, retaining only 18 historic properties, plus one non-contributing cabin to complete a cluster of cabins in Daisy Town, adjacent to the Appalachian Clubhouse, which will also be retained and rehabilitated for day use and rental.
The NPS Plan represents a compromise. The Park's 1982 General Management Plan (GMP) called for the complete demolition of all structures within Elkmont. In the 1990s, however, the NPS began to consider a more balanced approach to the natural and cultural resources in the Park. The village was listed in the National Register in 1994, and consultation was initiated with the SHPO. Ultimately, NPS proposed a compromise, which is reflected in a draft revision to the GMP and to the final draft of the MOA.
Share your memories of this endangered place
Submitted by none at: July 28, 2009
Just for the record, the "pink house" mentioned, the "Spence Cabin" is being kept for day rental use.
Submitted by scottygrrl at: May 12, 2009
The Park Sevice had a chance to save all of these buildings and use them as rental property. In fact, a concessionaire offered them $2 million for the privelege, yet these beautiful houses were viewed as "historically insignificant" because they weren't log cabins! At least one of the 30 buildings that is being removed is structurally sound, has a sound roof, a beautiful back patio, a secondary patio right on the river and a river rock fireplace that includes 2 rock "seats" and is of great ARCHITECTURAL significance because it becomes the surround for the front door as well. Locals call this place the "pink house" because it's paint (which was probably red at one time) has faded to red. The whole interior of the building seems to be cedar or redwood. Across the road is a building that is a stable on the ground floor and living quarters (2 or 3 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, bath) upstairs. Both of these buildings have rock wall gates around their "drives," which are also great examples of local stone craftsmanship. It seems a shame to lose them as it would take so little to maintain them. Cabins in the area regularly rent for up to $250 a night during the summer season...I would pay that much to stay in one of these "pieces of history" but the Park Service turned down that part of the plan outright. It seems to me that an initial small investment would have huge returns and would help maintain these beautiful structures for future generations to see. I'm devastated at the pending loss of the Pink House. I hope someone can save it in situ.