Gatlinburg, Tennessee, of May 18, 2021

In the early 1800s, a man named Radford Gatlin established a tavern and general store in the area, which eventually grew into a small community. The town was officially named Gatlinburg in 1856, in honour of Radford Gatlin.

In 1912, Pi Beta Phi Fraternity established a settlement school in Gatlinburg, which provided education and other services to the rural community in the Great Smoky Mountains region. The school was later renamed the Pi Beta Phi Elementary School and continues to operate today as the Gatlinburg-Pittman High School. The fraternity has continued to support education and literacy initiatives in the region, including the establishment of the Pi Beta Phi Centennial of Literacy Service Plaza in Gatlinburg.

Elizabeth "Bettie" Williams Mitchell was an important figure in the history of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity, one of the oldest women's fraternities in the United States. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi and served as the organization's first national president from 1867 to 1870. During her tenure, she helped to establish the fraternity's first national convention and to expand the organization's presence across the country.

The statue of Elizabeth Bettie Williams Mitchell is a bronze sculpture that depicts her holding a book in her lap. It was created by artist Benjamin Victor and unveiled in a dedication ceremony in August 2014. The statue serves as a symbol of Pi Beta Phi's commitment to education and literacy, as well as a tribute to the leadership and contributions of Elizabeth Bettie Williams Mitchell to the fraternity.

Baskins Creek is a stream that flows through the city of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The creek is named after one of the early settlers in the area, John Baskin, who established a farm near the stream in the early 1800s.

The Pi Beta Phi Centennial of Literacy Service Plaza is near Baskins Creek in downtown Gatlinburg. The plaza was established in 2012 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity's literacy initiatives and to promote education and literacy in the community.

The plaza features a statue of Pi Beta Phi's first national president, Elizabeth "Bettie" Williams Mitchell, a water feature and landscaped gardens. The plaza is also home to a Little Free Library, where visitors can take and leave books, and a "Story Walk" that features children's books displayed along a walking path.

The location of the Pi Beta Phi Centennial of Literacy Service Plaza near Baskins Creek highlights the importance of education and the area's natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy the scenic views of the creek while also learning about the history and mission of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity.

Pi Beta Phi was founded as a secret organisation under the name of I.C. Sorosis on April 28, 1867, at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. The founders of the fraternity were 12 women who were seeking to form a women's organisation based on the principles of friendship, scholarship, and personal and intellectual growth.

After the founding of the fraternity, the sisters had a jeweller design their official badge, which was a golden arrow with the letters "I.C." on the wings. When the name was changed to Pi Beta Phi in 1888, the Greek letters replaced "I.C." on the wings of the badge. The fraternity continued to grow and expand, with chapters being established at colleges and universities across the country.

In 1902, Pi Beta Phi was one of the founding members of the National Panhellenic Conference, which formalised cooperation among women's fraternities and sororities. The fraternity also established its first philanthropy, the Pi Beta Phi Settlement School in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in 1912, and created local Alumnae Advisory Committees to support its chapters individually in 1913.

Today, Pi Beta Phi has more than 150 chapters across the United States and Canada, with thousands of members who continue to uphold the fraternity's values of friendship, scholarship, and service. The fraternity has a rich history and legacy of supporting education and literacy initiatives and remains committed to promoting these values and initiatives in the community.

Pepper Palace is a store in the Gatlinburg Mall that specialises in hot sauces, spicy snacks, and other fiery condiments. While there may not be a specific "spicy taste tradition" in Tennessee culture, the state has a long history of incorporating spicy flavours into its cuisine.

Tennessee-style barbecue, for example, often features a spicy dry rub or sauce made with hot peppers, such as cayenne or chipotle. Hot chicken, a Nashville speciality, marries chicken in a spicy blend of seasonings before frying it.

In addition to barbecue and hot chicken, Tennessee is known for its love of spicy snacks. MoonPies, a popular treat in the state, is often paired with spicy peanuts or other spicy snack foods.

The Mountain Mall in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is considered a historical entity and a popular shopping destination for tourists.

The mall was established in 1975 and is in a prime location on the Gatlinburg Parkway, offering visitors a wide selection of unique, locally made arts and crafts, clothing, and souvenirs.

The mall has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, but it still retains its original charm and character. The mall's interior features a cosy, rustic atmosphere with wood panelling, exposed beams, and a large stone fireplace.

The smoking pipes shop in the mall represents the vast plast of the state culture. Smoking pipe Zippo lighters have been a part of the Tennessee culture for many years. The Zippo lighter company was founded in 1932 in Bradford, Pennsylvania, and quickly became popular with smokers, including those who enjoyed smoking pipes.

Zippo lighters are known for their durability and reliability, making them a popular choice for smokers in Tennessee and beyond. The company's motto, "It works, or we fix it for free," speaks to the quality and craftsmanship of their lighters.

In Tennessee, smoking pipes and pipe tobacco have a long history and are enjoyed by many. The state is home to several tobacco shops and pipe retailers, and there are even annual pipe shows and events held in the area.

Leatherworking holds a special place in Tennessee's cultural heritage. The state's love of country music, for example, has helped to popularise leather hats and boots as part of the iconic cowboy and Western-inspired fashion that is often associated with the genre.

While leather hats and shoes are not unique to Tennessee culture, the state does have a rich history and tradition of leatherworking that has helped to shape its identity and economy.

In the early days of Tennessee, leatherworking was an essential trade, with many settlers relying on skilled leatherworkers to make shoes, hats, and other necessary items. Over time, leatherworking became an essential part of the state's economy, with many artisans producing high-quality leather goods.

Today, Tennessee is home to several leatherworking companies and artisans who continue to produce leather hats and shoes, as well as other leather products such as belts, bags, and jackets. The state's tradition of leatherworking is celebrated each year at the International Bluegrass Music Association's World of Bluegrass festival in Raleigh, North Carolina, which features a craft market showcasing the work of local leatherworkers and other artisans.

The Parkway is a main thoroughfare in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, running parallel to the Little Pigeon River and serving as the town's central commercial district.

The history of the Parkway dates back to the early 1900s when the town was first established. At the time, the main road through Gatlinburg was a narrow dirt road, often impassable in bad weather. However, with the growing popularity of tourism in the area, the town began to expand and develop, and the need for a proper road system became increasingly apparent.

In the 1920s, the town began to pave the main road, which was then known as Highway 71. The road was widened and improved over the years, and in the 1950s, it was renamed the Parkway. The Parkway continued to grow and expand in the following decades, becoming a hub of tourist activity with numerous shops, restaurants, and attractions.

However, the Parkway has also faced challenges over the years, including damage from flooding and fires. In 2016, the town was devastated by the Gatlinburg wildfires, which destroyed several businesses along the Parkway.

Despite these challenges, the Parkway remains an integral part of the Gatlinburg community and a symbol of the town's growth and development. Today, visitors can stroll down the Parkway, enjoying the many shops, attractions, and restaurants that line the street while taking in the scenic beauty of the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains.

The Village in Gatlinburg is a popular shopping and dining destination in the heart of the town's downtown area. The Village is designed to resemble a quaint European village, with a unique architectural style and a cobblestone walkway that winds through the shops and restaurants.

The Village was established in the early 1960s when developers sought to create a shopping and dining district to attract tourists. The developers enlisted the help of a local architect to design the buildings in a style that would evoke the charm and character of a small European village.

Today, The Village has over 30 shops and restaurants, including several local and regional businesses. The shops offer a wide range of products, including clothing, jewellery, gifts, and souvenirs, while the restaurants serve a variety of cuisine, from Italian to southern-style BBQ.

In addition to its shopping and dining offerings, The Village also features a charming, picturesque setting that is perfect for strolling and relaxing. Visitors can sit on benches, enjoy the landscaping and water features, and take in the unique atmosphere of this one-of-a-kind destination in Gatlinburg. Overall, The Village is a beloved and iconic part of the Gatlinburg community, offering visitors a chance to experience the town's unique charm and character in a beautiful, inviting setting.

The Day Hiker is a hiking and outdoor gear store in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The store was founded by Joe Gunther, a retired Army veteran who noticed a lack of affordable hiking gear options in the area. Since opening in 2000, The Day Hiker has provided affordable outdoor essentials to thousands of fellow outdoor enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

As you plan your trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it's vital to ensure you're well-prepared with the right hiking gear and equipment. The park offers nearly 900 miles of trails for outdoor enthusiasts to explore, but without the proper gear, hiking can be uncomfortable or even dangerous.

That's where The Day Hiker comes in. Whether you need hiking shoes, backpacks, or trail maps, this store covers you. With knowledgeable staff who are experienced hikers, The Day Hiker can also offer expert advice on the best trails and outdoor activities in the area.

By outfitting your family with the proper gear and equipment, you can make your vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains one to remember forever. So, before you hit the trails unprepared, please stop by The Day Hiker in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and get ready to explore the stunning natural beauty of this iconic national park with its diverse ecosystems, climates, plant life, and wildlife.

Whiskey has a long and storied history in Tennessee, dating back to the state's early years as a frontier territory. The whiskey-making tradition was brought to Tennessee by settlers from Scotland, Ireland, and other parts of Europe, who brought the knowledge and skills to produce the spirit.

One of the unique characteristics of Tennessee whiskey is its use of a filtration process called the Lincoln County Process. This involves filtering the whiskey through charcoal made from sugar maple wood, which gives it a distinctive flavour and helps to remove impurities.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Tennessee became known as the "moonshine capital of the world," with many residents producing illegal whiskey in rural areas. During Prohibition, which lasted from 1920 to 1933, many of these moonshiners became bootleggers, producing and selling whiskey illegally across the country.

After Prohibition was lifted, the whiskey industry in Tennessee began to flourish once again. In the mid-20th century, several new distilleries were established in the state, including Jack Daniel's and George Dickel, which still produce whiskey today.

Today, Tennessee whiskey is recognised as a unique and vital part of the state's cultural heritage. The state is home to several well-known distilleries, and whiskey tourism has become a popular industry, with visitors from all over the world coming to taste and learn about the history and tradition of Tennessee whiskey-making.

Ole Smoky is a distillery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee that specialises in producing moonshine and whiskey. The distillery was established in 2010 and quickly became a popular visitor attraction.

Ole Smoky offers a variety of moonshine flavours, including classics like original, white lightnin', and apple pie, as well as more unique flavours such as lemon drop, hunch punch, and blue flame. The distillery also produces several types of whiskey, including straight, bourbon, and rye.

Visitors to Ole Smoky can take a tour of the distillery and learn about the process of making moonshine and whiskey. The distillery also features a tasting room where visitors can sample the different flavours of moonshine and whiskey and purchase bottles to take home as souvenirs.

Ole Smoky is a popular destination for locals and tourists, offering a taste of Tennessee's rich history and culture of moonshining. With its wide variety of flavours and products, as well as its charming location in the heart of Gatlinburg, Ole Smoky is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the unique flavours and traditions of Tennessee.

The bus that looks like a tram in Gatlinburg is known as the "Gatlinburg Trolley." It is a popular mode of transportation for tourists and locals alike, offering a convenient way to get around the city and take in the sights and attractions.

The trolley operates on several routes throughout Gatlinburg, including the downtown area, the Arts and Crafts Loop, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is designed to look like a traditional streetcar or tram, with a red and green exterior and a wooden interior.

The trolley system in Gatlinburg has been in operation since the 1980s and has undergone several expansions and upgrades over the years. Today, it is a reliable and affordable way to travel around the city, with various ticket options and routes available to suit different needs and schedules.

In addition to providing transportation, the Gatlinburg Trolley also offers a unique and charming way to experience the city and its surroundings. With its old-fashioned look and feel, the trolley adds to the charm and character of Gatlinburg and is a popular attraction in its own right.

Little Bear Winery is a charming family-owned winery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, specialising in producing fruit wines using locally sourced ingredients. While you may not see the highest peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains from the winery, the surrounding hills and ridges offer stunning countryside views. From the winery, you may see prominent hills such as Mount Harrison and Cove Mountain, as well as other notable peaks like Shields Mountain and Sugarland Mountain. Whether you are interested in sampling some unique and delicious wines or simply taking in the natural beauty of the Tennessee countryside, Little Bear Winery and the surrounding hills and ridges are a must-visit destination in Gatlinburg.