Elkmont rehab work resumes next week in Smokies

Great Smoky Mountains National Park crews will remove 10 buildings from the historic Elkmont site beginning today. The work marks the end of major demolition that began in 2010.

The road along the site of the former Wonderland Hotel will be closed to pedestrians during demolition. Officials hope to have the work finished by April 30.

Crews plan to preserve the buildings as much as possible by lifting them – foundations, chimneys and all – from their current sites for the relocation.

Further work will begin later this year to stabilize four buildings — the Sneeds, Smith, Higdon and Swan cabins — in the Daisy Town area.

Elkmont began as a place for loggers to live in the pre-national park days and evolved into a getaway resort for the Knoxville area’s finest families. In the early 1900s, families came there to cool off in the summer.

The community later fell into disrepair. The park at one point planned to demolish all the buildings but settled on a plan to preserve 19.

“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,” park Superintendent Cassius Cash said.

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