Gatlinburg

Welcome to beautiful Gatlinburg Tennessee, a mountain resort city in Sevier County and about 39 miles southeast of Knoxville, home to just under 5000 residents. As a popular vacation resort, Gatlinburg rests on the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park along US Route 441. Originally known as White Oak Flats or just simply White Oak, Gatlinburg wasn’t officially named what it is called today until about 1856 when a post office was established in the general store of Radford Gatlin, giving the town the name Gatlinburg.

Legend has it that a full-blown feud erupted between Radford Gatlin and the Ogles, another settler family in the area over the attempt to divert the town’s main road. On the eve of the US Civil War, Gatlin, who became a Confederate sympathizer, at odds with the residents of the town was forced out in 1859, however, the name Gatlinburg stuck and like most of the Smoky Mountain communities, try to remain neutral during the war.

However, that was a long time ago and as the area grew into a logging community with a booming lumber industry, sawmills, and lumber companies, so did the draw for many residents and new settlers. The small community grew over the next few decades but has seen a few major fires over the years such as the fire of 1992 and the fire 2016. The latest starting in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at Chimney Tops, was a moderately contained wildfire compounded by strong winds and dry conditions. It took a year or two for things to really get back to normal but you can see that this is a close-knit town, steeped in history, nestled in rich forested areas.

Gatlinburg has several buildings and historical sites such as the First Methodist Church, and the Settlement School Community Outreach Historic District.

Gatlinburg Tourism

Tourism remains a vibrant industry in Gatlinburg, especially bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ober Gatlinburg is the only ski resort in the state with eight ski trails, three chairlifts, and a wildlife center. Gatlinburg Trolley is a privately funded transit system and the Gatlinburg Sky Lift offers a unique birds-eye view of the Smoky Mountains as it travels 1800 feet to the top of Crockett Mountain, the longest footbridge in the US spanning over two mountain peaks. The Gatlinburg Space Needle provides a 360° view of the mountains with glass elevators, educational exhibits, and a two-story arcade.

The Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community is an 8-mile loop located on the north side of town dedicated to preserving traditional mountain crafts with over 100 artisans and craftsmen. Other major tourist attractions include Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, The Anakeesta Theme Park with zip lines, gondola rides, and a mountain coaster. Car museums, galleries, theaters, and entertainment venues grace Gatlinburg drawing visitors and tourists from all over the country and North America. The Gatlinburg Convention Center offers 67,000 ft.² of exhibit space and hosts annual events, activities, conventions, and exhibits.

Gatlinburg Schools

Residents with school-age children are part of the Sevier County school district and are assigned to the Pittman Center elementary school or the Pi Beta Phi elementary school, the Northview middle school, the Greenbrier Alternative Learning Center and the Gatlinburg Pittman high school. The Gatlinburg Pittman high school receives top ratings from students and parents alike with its student to teacher ratio, academics, and 95% graduation rate.

“Gatlinburg-Pittman High School is an excellent school for any child to go to. As a current senior, the school is a wonderful place for academics and for fun! We have many clubs that support the community and help the environment. GP has a test prep program that helps all students get ready for the ACT and SAT. Also we fun fine art programs such as choir, art, drama, and band. Gatlinburg-Pittman High School is the perfect place for academics in Sevier County.” – Niche.com

Gatlinburg Real Estate

Gatlinburg is spread out all along the base of the mountains and north of Highway 321. You’ll find beautiful mountain estates, log cabins, smaller starter homes, mountain villas, and townhouses. At any given time there is approximately 100 listings, properties and homes for sale in Gatlinburg Tennessee. Homes are typically priced from $200,000 to over $2 million with lots and vacant land starting less than $20,000. There are very few new subdivisions so you won’t find a lot of homeowners associations or larger developments.

If you’re looking for a home in the Great Smoky Mountains, consider Gatlinburg. Browse all available listings above and contact our office at any time to schedule a showing.