Have you ever picked up a trail map and snubbed your nose by some of the trail names wondering who in the world named it that or why? Maybe you’ve been looking up places to visit in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and a few names stood out as odd or even intriguing to you. In part 3 of our Ancient Names series, we will shed light on a few of the historic names of the Smoky Mountains where we will key in partly on pronunciation and mainly touch base about the meanings behind these ancient names of the Smokies.
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Namesakes in the Smokies:
Alum Cave:
Back in 1838, this parcel of the Smoky Mountains was once sold to three men who owned an Epsom Salts Manufacturing Company. Their company was known for their experience in mining magnesia, saltpeter, alum, copperas, and the obvious- Epsom. When the Civil War was raging, confederates used the land to mine saltpeter for gunpowder- creating the name Alum Cave.
Charlies Bunion:
AFter a tiring hike in Fodderstack, Charlie Conner and Horace Kephart took a break along the outcroppings. Charlie removed his boots to reveal a nasty bunion that Kephart thought resembled the outcroppings of Fodderstack they were on. Kephart lobbied for the name change from Fodderstack to Charlie’s Bunion in honor of Charlie’s sore foot.
Gracie’s Pulpit:
On her 92nd Birthday, Gracie McNichol hiked all the way up to the pulpit between Mt. LeConte and Alum Cave. Bystanders were so impressed they named it after her.
Smoky Mountains:
The Cherokee call these mountains Sha-co-na-qe, which means “place of blue smoke.”
Follow along to part 3 for more historic facts and fun!
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