Birth of a National Park in the Great Smoky Mountains

Annually millions of people admire the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's primeval beauty—towering peaks, sparkling cascades, virgin forests, and remarkable varieties of wildflowers and shrubs. One of the nation's most popular national parks did not just "come to be" a logical and natural development on federally-owned land. Instead, it was the first national park to be acquired from private owners and given by the people to the federal government. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established only after an unprecedented crusade that is a story of almost fanatic dedication to a cause, as well as one of frustration, despair, political bias, and even physical violence.