Pigeon Forge Tennessee
Attractions | Pigeon Forge TN Cabins | Events | Restaurants
Pigeon Forge, TN is a tourist city in Sevier County. According to the 2000 census there are approximately 5,000 residents in Pigeon Forge. Many tourists visit the area for the attractions such as Dixie Stampede, Dollywood, the outlet malls, etc.
History
Settlers came to the Pigeon Forge area from the Carolinas via old Indian trails along the Pigeon River. Pigeon Forge received it’s name from the carrier pigeons that were native to the area and to an iron forge. In 1820, Isaac Love built an iron forge and 10 years later his son built a tub mill. The iron and tub mill are now known as The Old Mill and is a historical site in Pigeon Forge.
Mountains near Pigeon Forge TN
Pigeon Forge wasn’t a tourist town from the start. It started out as a farming community and when the National Park was dedicated in 1940 the town started to grow. By the 1980’s Pigeon Forge had become a tourist town and since then has become one of the most popular Southern vacation spots.
There are many attractions that have come to the area to boost the economy of Pigeon Forge. Since it is a tourist economy they have targeted many different types of people. People with families and those on honeymoons choose to visit in Pigeon Forge for Dollywood, the Comedy Barn, Dixie Stampede and the Old Mill as well. This town went from being a small mill town to a tourist town attracting over 10 million visitors a year.
Weather
Pigeon Forge, TN’s weather can be very unpredictable at times. During the year all types of weather can be expected to hit Pigeon Forge. However, certain weather cabin be expected during certain seasons.
Winter months are considered to be December, January and February. If you are in the area during these months you might see snow but not a large amount. Temperatures can get up to 60 degrees but can also be as lows in the 10’s. Higher elevations will have colder temperatures and more snowfall and lower will have lower temperatures with minimal to no snowfall.
The Spring season is during the months of March, April and May. Daytime temperatures average in the 80’s and low’s are in the 30’s. Packing a light jacket is suggested if you’ll be in the Pigeon Forge area during these months. During the early part of Spring you might even catch a glimpse of snow.
Pigeon Forge is a popular destination for summer. During June, July and August highs can be in the upper 80’s and afternoon thunderstorms can occur during the summer too. This time is perfect if you’re planning to visit Gatlinburg for outdoor activities. Heat and humidity are also higher in the summer time.
As fall comes so do many tourists. September, October and November bring in the fall foliage that most everyone loves to see. With the leaves changing to their browns, yellows, oranges and gold many people flock to the area for the scenery. The temperatures can still be in the 70’s but do get cool at night so a light jacket might be necessary for these months.
National Park
Before the European settlers came to the area in the 1700’s the land that is now the National Park was inhabited by the Cherokee Indians. The Indians lived off the land and when the settlers started clearing the land for lumber the Indians had less land to live off from. They started adjusting to the European customs and culture but many were eventually driven off the land and to Oklahoma. Those who did stay or came back began to blend in with the European settlers.
In the 1900’s the main way of life for the settlers were by using the lumber to sell to surrounding towns and to farm. They lived off their own land and farms and pastures covered much of what would be the National Park. As years went by the trees were becoming wiped out and the landscape was quickly changing. In 1934 a change was made to protect the land. The remaining area with trees and a large surrounding portion of land was designated as he Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Many people who lived in the area that made their money from lumbering soon moved from the area leaving structures that were mills, schools and churches. Many of these still remain in the area and are historical sites.