Gatlinburg, a picturesque town nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, is famous for its stunning scenery and charming atmosphere. However, it is also home to a fascinating history that is rooted in the life and legacy of one of its founding families – the Ogles. And since our cabin sits on a street that pays homage to this family, Oglewood Lane, we thought it would be interesting to learn about the background of how the Ogle family put their stamp on our beautiful town.
The Ogle family was one of the first families to settle in the area that is now Gatlinburg. The patriarch of the family, William Ogle, was a farmer from South Carolina who moved to the Smoky Mountains in the late 1700s. He was drawn to the area by its fertile soil and abundant natural resources. William Ogle built a small cabin near the confluence of the West Fork and Middle Fork of the Little Pigeon River, and he and his family began farming the land.
William Ogle died just a few years after settling in the area, leaving his wife, Martha, and their children to carry on the family’s legacy. Martha Ogle was a formidable woman who managed to keep the farm running despite the challenges of life in the rugged wilderness. She even opened up her home to travelers passing through the area, providing them with a warm bed and a hot meal.
One of Martha Ogle’s sons, Peter, went on to become one of the most important figures in the history of Gatlinburg. He inherited his mother’s entrepreneurial spirit and worked tirelessly to build a thriving community in the Smoky Mountains. Peter Ogle built a gristmill, a sawmill, and a blacksmith shop, which became the economic and social center of the town. He also helped to establish a post office, a school, and a church, which brought together the scattered families of the area.
The Ogle family’s impact on the town of Gatlinburg was so significant that many of the town’s landmarks and attractions bear their name. The Ogle Cabin, which is the oldest
standing structure in Gatlinburg, was built by Martha Ogle and her sons in the late 1700s. The Ogle Furniture Company, which was founded by Peter Ogle, was one of the largest furniture manufacturers in the region in the early 1900s. The Ogle Brothers General Store, which was founded by two of Peter Ogle’s sons, was a fixture in downtown Gatlinburg for many years.
The Ogles were not only important in the development of Gatlinburg but also in the history of the Smoky Mountains. John W. Ogle, one of Peter Ogle’s grandsons, was a well-known guide and naturalist who led many visitors on tours of the mountains. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which was created in 1934.
And, according to Jack Ogle, the president of the current Ogle Brothers General Store, John W. Ogle was also a doctor who, along with his wife Blanche, purchased 128 acres in Sevierville to continue to build their livelihood. After planting oak trees in the front yard, their home fondly became known as the Five Oaks Farm-- YES, the Five Oaks Farm, one of our favorite restaurants. Read our review here.
Today, the Ogle family’s legacy lives on in the town of Gatlinburg. Visitors to the area can still see many of the landmarks and buildings that were built by the Ogles, and the family’s name is still synonymous with the history and culture of the region. The Ogle family’s story is a testament to the strength and resilience of the pioneers who settled in the Smoky Mountains, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving the rich heritage of this beautiful part of the country.
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