History of Pigeon Forge

History of Pigeon Forge

During the late 1700s, settlers from the Carolinas followed old Indian trails through the Smoky Mountains along the Pigeon River to what is today, known as Pigeon Forge. Pioneer Isaac Love established an iron forge in 1820 and his son, William, built a tub mill ten years later. The Old Mill, now a National Historic Site, remains operational. The iron forge and the flocks of pigeons that fed along the river banks in the early years gave the town its name.

Pigeon Forge continued as a sleepy farming community until the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was dedicated in 1940. The town slowly began to grow, incorporating in 1961. The tourism boom hit the city in 1982 and since then, growth has been rapid and Pigeon Forge has become one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Southeast United States.

Located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee, Pigeon Forge is within a day's drive of two-thirds of the nation's population east of the Mississippi River. The resort town is 33 miles southeast of Knoxville, four miles south of Sevierville, six miles north of Gatlinburg and five miles north of the most popular park in the U.S., Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Today, Pigeon Forge is a town built for family fun! Voted one of the South's favorite shopping spots by Southern Living readers, Pigeon Forge is equally famous for its more than 200 factory outlets and specialty stores. Packed with music theaters and family attractions, it is also home to the state's top attractions.  The climate in Pigeon Forge is almost perfect. Summer is usually balmy with an average temperature of 84 degrees. Winter is moderately cold with an average temperature of 40 degrees. The family atmosphere in Pigeon Forge lends itself to casual attire. Light clothing for the summer is best and layers work well in the winter. If you’re heading into the Smoky Mountains, take along a jacket since the temperatures are cooler at higher elevations.

Knoxville's McGhee-Tyson Airport is only 40 miles away and is served by eleven airlines with connecting services from cities including Memphis, Houston, New York/Newark, St. Louis and Philadelphia. The Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge Airport, seven miles from Pigeon Forge, has complete airport facilities for small private aircrafts.