Sevier County is one of the oldest counties in the state, it covers 660 square miles. The county was formed in 1785 and was named for John Sevier, a colonel in the American Revolutionary Army and the first governor of the state of Tennessee.
Henry Station and the Gist’s (Underwood’s) were the first forts built in Sevier County. Henry Station became one of the most important stops because it was used as a jumping off place for settlers heading for the country south of the French Broad River. The former governor William Blount is said to have met with many important people at Henry’s Station. A treaty was concluded in 1785 with the Cherokees at Henry‘s Station. This agreement was known as “Treaty of Dumplin” and helped secure all the land within the Sevier County limits. In March 1785, the first legislature of the state met, and one of their first acts included dividing Greene County into three separate counties, one of which was Sevier.
Sevier County boasts 515,000 scenic acres, 130 tree varieties and 16 peaks, all over 6,000 feet, these factors all contribute greatly to the area’s largest revenue source: tourism. In east Tennessee three major interstates converge only minutes from Sevier County. More than 75 percent of the U.S population is within a five -hour drive of this area. Sevier County and Tennessee tax structures are very conducive for businesses to realize maximum profits. City and County taxes are among the lowest in the state, not to mention there is no personal income tax in the state of Tennessee.
Sevier County boasts three industrial parks. The Hodsen-Hicks Industrial Park and the Ray L Reagan Industrial Park are full of thriving industries. The industries, in these three industrial parks, employee over 2,000 people. Companies in these parks include; Activated Metals and Chemicals, Inc., which produces nickel aluminum alloys, Copper Automotive and Wagner Lighting, which manufactures lights and subsequent parts for the auto industry, EVI Audio, which is known worldwide for its manufacturing of microphones and other sound equipment. There are many other industries in Sevier County.
Housing in Sevier County is very affordable. You can buy a 3,000 square foot home in an up-scale neighborhood for as little as $195,000. Sevier County’s crime rate is relatively low making it a great place to raise a family. Sevier County offers more recreation, entertainment, dining, and shopping opportunities than other communities many times its size. This region has plenty going for it; thriving manufacturing industries, booming tourist business, a low crime rate, outstanding educational opportunities, affordable housing, low taxes and a work force with an excellent work ethic. It makes you wonder why people would want to live anywhere else.
Sevierville is the county seat for the County. Located in the shadows of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Sevierville is Tennessee’s eighth oldest town. Founded in 1795, it has been and continues to be a hometown first, a place where people love to live. Since, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular National Park in the United States; it is also a great place to visit. The atmosphere in Sevierville is friendly, relaxed, and fun. The downtown area features a beautiful brick courthouse with a four-sided Seth Thomas Clock that still chimes every half-hour. A bronze statue of Sevierville’s own Dolly Parton adorns the courthouse lawn. And, the entire downtown area encompasses Sevierville’s historic District, where history unfolds.
Over the past years, several thousand have chosen to make Sevierville their permanent home. The idea for calling Sevierville home is appealing for many different reasons. Some say it’s the proximity to the mountains, some say it’s our great entertainment and other’s still say it’s our ties to Dolly Parton. When you’re looking for warm Southern hospitality, there’s no better place to start than right here in the hills of East Tennessee. Sevierville is also an ideal business location, especially for the tourism industry. More than 11 million people visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park every year and Sevierville is located at the crossroads of the major highways entering the park from Tennessee. The workforce is solid and reliable. Sevierville has proven to be a successful location for service businesses, manufactures, and suppliers to the building and retail trades. Businesses in the tourism industry provide employment for about twenty percent of the county’s population.
Sevierville is very fortunate to have Dolly Parton as one of our most famous natives. She has made our hometown and the entire Great Smoky Mountains area famous worldwide. Dolly placed Sevierville on the map as her hometown and the Smokies as the site for her theme park, Dollywood. There are many well-known attractions, theatres, shops and restaurants within the city of Sevierville like the Titanic Museum, Floyd Garrett’s Muscle Car Museum and the Tennessee Museum of Aviation. In Sevierville, change is a constant activity. We are always growing and our future is as bright as our citizens. Sevierville is truly a special place because it meets the needs of both the residents and visitors.
Pigeon Forge, one of the fastest growing cities in the South is filled with action-packed entertainment, natural beauty, and lots of Old-fashioned Mountain hospitality. The city entertains more than 10,000,000 tourists a year. Pigeon Forge is one of the primary gateways to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Over half of the 10 million visitors to the Smokies pass through this little city. It is located on U.S. Highway 441, within a day’s drive of two-thirds of the nation’s population. Pigeon Forge is five miles from Gatlinburg and 35 miles southeast of Knoxville. The area offers an ample number of hotels, motels, chalets/cabin rentals, condominiums, campgrounds and bed and breakfast inns to accommodate more than 65,000 guests a night. Area restaurants feature everything from fast food to home-cooked family style meals, to picnic baskets for mountain hiking, as well as popular steak and seafood specialties. Pigeon Forge offers over 40 major attractions including Dollywood, Dixie Stampede, Ogles Water Park, Smoky Mountain Jubilee, and such other attractions as museums, theaters, comedy shows, and mini golf courses.
Shopping is a popular past time in Pigeon Forge offering many unique styles of souvenir, craft and specialty shops. It is becoming known as the outlet shopping capital of the Southeast. Featuring name brands and high quality goods sold at factory-direct prices.
Gatlinburg is only 39 miles southeast of Knoxville. This lovely mountain town serves as the primary Tennessee entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Three major interstates bring visitors into the area, I-40, I-75 and I-81. Springtime in Gatlinburg is time for The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage a three day feast of fantastic photo opportunities, lectures, nature hikes and escorted motor tours of the Smokies most legendary scenery and color. This event is hosted by the expert botanists and horticulturists from the Great Smoky Mountains, the University of Tennessee and the Gatlinburg Garden Club. Gatlinburg itself is awash in color and crisp freshness. The warming days make shopping and dining in Gatlinburg’s mountain mystique an absolute adventure.
This region is known for being one of the South’s favorite playgrounds with over 800 miles of scenic hiking trails, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, back country camping, and trout fishing in clear mountain streams. One of the finest traditions in Gatlinburg is the Great Smoky Mountain Arts & Crafts Community. Established in 1937, and designated as a Tennessee Heritage Arts & Crafts Trail, this community is internationally recognized as the largest group of independent artisans in North America.
Winter transforms Gatlinburg into a Candyland filled to the brim with millions of intoxicating gems of sparkling lights. Laughter spills down the snow-covered slopes for a day full of snow skiing. The day ends with warm mulled cider and a cozy fireplace. Every season in Gatlinburg offers its own brand of fun, entertainment, sights, sounds and flavor. It’s what makes Gatlinburg one of America’s most popular year-round destinations. So come join us in the heart of the Smokies.
Spring has the most changeable weather. Snow or rain can fall on any day. By mid to late April, the weather becomes milder with daytime temperatures ranging from the 70’s to low 40’s at night. May temperatures can climb into the 80’s or dip into the 30’s.
By mid-June summer has arrived, heat, Haze and high humidity are the norm. Late afternoon thundershowers occur almost daily. Average temperatures are in the upper 80’s during the day and 50’s at night.
In Mid-September Fall turns on the glow. A pattern of warm, sunny days and crisp, clear nights are just enchanting. Cool rainy days cause the colorful leaves to fall to the ground. An occasional dusting of snow will turn the mountains white late in the season.
Winter days can be sunny and in the 70’s or snowy with highs in the 20’s. Snowfall occurs one to five times per season with substantial accumulation in the high country.
The Sevier County School System serves over eleven thousand students, with enrollment increasing annually at an approximate rate of 4.3 percent. There are three comprehensive secondary schools, three middle schools, one intermediate school, three primary schools and seven K-8 elementary schools. All of Sevier County Schools are fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the State of Tennessee. The system’s attributes of excellence have been recognized repeatedly through the Governor’s A+ Award Program. In addition, there are music, art, guidance, physical education and gifted programs at each school. Other support programs include drug/alcohol prevention programs, at-risk programs, and a comprehensive vocational curriculum.
The student academic performance has been consistently at or above state and national averages. The system is recognized as one that prides itself in providing a safe, well-disciplined and nurturing environment in which students are challenged to meet their greatest potential socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically. The following information is required when registering a new student to the Sevier County School System; a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate, immunization records, child’s social security card and proof of address.
Many opportunities for continuing education exist in the Sevierville area. Walter State Community College offers classes at the Sevierville campus, located at 435 Dolly Parton Parkway and the main campus in nearby Morristown. The University of Tennessee and Carson Newman College are also located in the area.
From the sweet sounds of bluegrass to the electrifying performances of country legends, the variety of the family entertainment is unsurpassed. Sevierville has become one of the fastest growing entertainment showplaces in the southeast and especially the Smokies. Sevier County’s entertainment is full of adventure, from Dollywood to Forbidden Caverns to awesome muscle cars and much more. There’s something for everyone.
Being known as one of the South’s favorite playgrounds with over 800 miles of incredible scenic hiking trails, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, backcountry camping and many other great outdoor sports, it’s no wonder the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular park in America.
THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
The area offers an incredible array of events; activities and attractions with nearly 900 miles of well-maintained trails waiting to be hiked through rugged, wooded mountains graced with wildflowers in the spring and vivid foliage in the fall. Mountain streams offer the best in trout fishing including more than 300 miles of streams with some 70 species of fish.
Being known as one of the South’s favorite playgrounds with incredible scenic hiking trails, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, back country camping and many other great outdoor sports, it’s no wonder the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular park in America.