Backcountry Folk of the Tennessee Mountains

Backcountry Notes ^ | February 9, 2010 | Jay Henderson

[jay1949]

Two major Federal projects, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Tennessee Valley Authority, brought the outside world irrevocably into the Tennessee high country, displacing whole communities from ancient abodes and altering forever the way of life that had endured from the Colonial period. Among the archives from that time are a scattering of photographs which recall an independent, hardy, resourceful, and industrious people, worthy descendants of the Backcountry settlers of long ago. [Many vintage photographs.]

[A Cyrenian]

Tennesseeans should blame Al Gore for their problems. He’s one of them.

[DocRock]

Eastern KY has some areas reminiscent of this era. Some of the photos remind me of the movie “Sgt. Yorker” staring Gary Copper.

[jay1949]

ping
one-time ping for those interested in previous Tennessee article on the State of Franklin

[TSgt]

The mountain people made, grew, or gathered nearly everything they needed to survive. They were remarkably skilled at crafts and handwork of all kinds, making their own clothing, pottery, tools, and musical instruments, growing and gathering their own food, and constructing their own shelter. To the fullest extent possible, they lived in a world fashioned by their own hands.

God fearing self reliant people. An unfathomable concept in today's modern society. Becoming more technologically advanced has actually caused us to become more dependent and require more than we actually need to survive. God Bless Appalachia

[billhilly]

Have a look at this.

[autumnraine]

Thank you so much for posting this!! The photos are fascinating and while most mock the typical hillbilly, I would trust them over any city liberal any day of the week. While explaining to a friend visiting from Australia about the perceived impression of rednecks... they might not have the money to get their teeth fixed all the time, but you can bet if you are broke down in the middle of the night and need help they will be there.

[jersey117]

Thanks for the post. I enjoyed the notes and pictures. I just watched Coal Miner’s Daughter for the first time on TV this past weekend. The strength and endurance of the mountain folks is incredible.

[Boonie]

No, not really...Gore was raised in Washington by his Senator father...Gore attended private, exclusive schools in the DC area...Gore was only “back home” in Tennessee for short visits...

IOW, we REAL Tennesseans do NOT claim Gore...we are only ashamed that he claims us...

[billhilly]

I believe that was Sgt York.

[autumnraine]

Oh, and the hero of the Smokey’s, Dolly Parton, recognized the talent in her mountain people. If you ever get a chance to visit Dollywood, you can see the remarkable craftmanship.

[DocRock]

Yorker=York

[Roccus]

Self sufficiency and independence are anathema to the US government. This animosity of the government against such people goes all the way back to the dawn of this nation.

[TSgt]

My wife’s parents grew up less than a mile from Loretta Lynn’s home and went to school with her. I treasure my in-law’s rich heritage and enjoy our visits to Eastern Kentucky.

[Boonie]

For a detailed and extremely accurate look into the lives of Appalachian mountainfolk, read the “Foxfire” series of books by Eliot Wiggington...They are centered on the folks of Rabun Co, GA, but it is exactly like the area where I grew up in the east Tennessee mountains...

[SharpRightTurn]

East Tennessean to a federal beauracrat: “get out of my face and get out of my pocket. I can take care of myself.”

[DocRock]

Yep, crazy autofill on new Droid keyboard and I still haven’t found a question mark. Great pics in the article, though. My family settled in Jamestown before the Pilgrims landed and I was born and raised in Ky.

[autumnraine]

One more thing... they mention mules and how valuable they are and this is so true! My aunt (near 75 now) tells about how when she was 9, she and my other aunt (she was 6) would take the mule to the grinder with corn to make cornmeal. The mule was one of the most important part of their family because it helped them grow the food and make the food. Plus hauled heavy wood to each other’s homes that were scattered nearby.

What a cool website! Thanks again for posting!

[jay1949]

The Foxfire series of books is a national treasure.

[HGSW0904]

I was born in Maryville, TN, and spent many days up in the mountains with my family. I have a special fondness for Cade’s Cove...the families who lived there were displaced by the wonderful federal government. I went up and stayed in Townsend this summer, and the Cove is now indundated with tourists, which is so sad. Those pictures made me homesick...though I love my current state (Texas).