Several pioneer families lived in Cades Cove before the cove became part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Cades Cove area has been preserved by the park to look much the way in did in the 1800's. This interesting, historic area has original homesteads, barns, out buildings, artifacts and a mill, as well as farmland and pastures.

Sparks Lane

The eleven (11) mile loop enters the Cades Cove area near Sparks Lane. Sparks Lane is one of two roads that cut directly across the loop road. If you turn left onto Sparks Lane, a short drive will take you to the exit end of the loop.

John Oliver Cabin

John and Lurany Oliver's cabin was the first one in the Smokies. Their original cabin was located approximately fifty yards behind the current cabin. The John Oliver Cabin on the auto tour is actually the honeymoon cabin which was built for their son when he married. John Oliver is buried at the Primitive Baptist Church of which he was a founder.

Primitive Baptist Church

The Cades Cove Baptist Church was established in 1827. After a while, a schism developed and the Cades Cove Baptists decided to rename their church in accordance with their beliefs. It became designated the Primitive Baptist Church in 1841. The current white frame church was built in 1887. The congregation prior to that time met in a log building.

Methodist Church

Originally, the Methodist Congregation of Cades Cove met in a log building with a dirt floor and heated by a fire pit. The white frame church was built in 1902 by the pastor, John McCampbell.