It is easy to visit the Great Smoky Mountains and see the natural beauty that surrounds you and not even ask questions about the past of the surrounding areas, but there is so much more to the Smokies than what meets the eye.

Before the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established there were several small towns that were known for farming and logging. As you can tell when you visit the Great Smoky Mountains, these small communities of people are now gone and there are seldom reminders of the people that once lived in this quiet mountain town. The logging company and farming land is taken over with shops, attractions and restaurants. However, there are a few "old timers" still left.

These Gatlinburg “Old Timers” will take you back in time 75 years before the National Park was even established. Can you even imagine a time when there were no attractions or fancy restaurants or local shops in downtown Gatlinburg TN? This older generation is willing to tell stories and share pictures from yesteryear as they take you back in time.

The Gatlinburg Old Timers Day is sponsored by the The Gatlinburg Inn. The Gatlinburg Inn is one of the most historic lodging buildings in downtown Gatlinburg TN.

Pack your bags and make plans to take a trip to Gatlinburg on June 6, 2009 for the Gatlinburg Old Timers Day. This older generation is going to sit around and talk about what life was like growing up and living in the communities in Eastern Tennessee. The Gatlinburg “old timers” remember what it felt like to watch the community they lived in go from being a town with small homes to a popular vacation town with campgrounds, picnic areas, restaurants and popular downtown attractions. Get ready to take a step back in time with this annual Gatlinburg event.