The
Land
The history of the land that is now home to Blackberry Farm dates back thousands of years, long before Blackberry Farm became an inn and opened its doors to the public. For centuries, the land has nourished people and shaped their way of life with its dense forests and fertile valleys. Towering hills cloaked in mist came to define the area surrounding Blackberry Farm, the mountains that would later be designated as part of the National Park system and named the Great Smoky Mountains. The Smokies got their name from the Cherokee people. They called it “Shaconage,” which means “place of the blue smoke.”
Native American tribes, most notably the Cherokee, thrived here, practicing agriculture and harnessing the region's bountiful resources. As European settlers arrived, they, too, discovered the rich land and began cultivating crops and harvesting the soil. Blackberry Farm is situated at 1,200 feet elevation looking northeast down Chilhowee Mountain, the ridge the Cherokees once called the “enemy mountain,” because they lived on one side and the European settlers lived on the other.
Some of the structures that still stand on the property today serve as a reminder of centuries of history and life on this land. The original farmhouse, for example, was built for David and Lyndy Webb when they settled here around 1900. The now private home, with its barn and farm shed, are a testament to the Farm’s rich history as a home. As the 19th century progressed, the rise of industry brought logging and sawmills, transforming the landscape while sustaining the local economy. Yet, amidst the changes, the innate beauty of the mountains remained unaltered.
In the 20th century, as the nation recognized the importance of preserving its natural wonders, the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park once again transformed the land's purpose, ushering in a new era of tourism and outdoor recreation.
Blackberry Farm, nestled in this idyllic setting, became a place of serenity and renewal for travelers from near and far. Today, Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain stand as a testament to the enduring connection between the land, its rich history and the people it has nourished and inspired over centuries.
