A former bustling resort loved by affluent holidaymakers now lies as a forsaken and crumbling ghost town.
Elkmont, Tennessee, was once a thriving town and popular holiday destination for wealthy tourists. The town now stands as an abandoned and derelict site within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Famed for its countless walking paths, the spectacular 80-foot Laurel Falls, and the yearly synchronous firefly display that illuminates the mountains, Elkmont is most celebrated as the “abandoned town of the Smokies”.
Initially called “Little River”, the US region covered 86,000 acres of terrain and was bought in 1901 by Colonel Wilson B. Townsend, who established the Little River Lumber company.
The building of a railway for his timber operations led to a surge of visitors and transformed this location into a sought-after holiday spot for well-heeled travellers, reports the Express.
Eventually, this weekend retreat developed into a permanent home for residents from Knoxville, and the settlement became recognised as Elkmont.
But when the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was formed in 1934, property owners faced an impossible choice.
They were forced to pick between selling their homes and moving away immediately, or disposing of their assets at a reduced price to the National Park Service in return for a lifelong lease. Homeowners continued to reside and negotiate lease renewals until the late 80s.
However, by 1992, most leases had expired, forcing residents to vacate their homes. This resulted in 70 historic buildings being abandoned, and the once bustling town of 1500 residents earned the eerie nickname Elkmont Ghost town.
With the decision that no one would return to Elkmont, questions arose about the fate of the buildings and the town after everyone’s departure.
While history buffs wanted to preserve Elkmont due to its century-long history, environmentalists pushed for the demolition of these cabins to allow the land to revert to its natural state.
The National Park Service also favoured demolition, but it was decided that 19 of the 74 structures would be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, preventing their destruction and ensuring their restoration. The remaining buildings were demolished.
Buried within the Tennessee mountains, haunting photographs show rotting and deteriorating cabins that have remained undisturbed for more than 40 years.
Today, visitors are invited to explore this deserted town in the Smoky Mountains at their own pace and witness structures slowly being reclaimed by nature.
As the photos reveal, you’ll encounter broken wooden floors, flaking paint, collapsed roofs, and vacant cabins, all reminiscent of houses from a horror film. You’ll also have the opportunity to tour the restored structures during your visit.
Reddit users have taken to the site to talk about Elkmont’s slow demise. One user said: “Ghost towns never cease to amaze me… like a little sliver forever frozen in time.” Another said it was “cool” and gave them “Friday the 13th vibes”.
Despite this, many walkers and tourists add this hidden treasure to their must-visit list in Tennessee, finding Elkmont a surprisingly tranquil spot. Maybe you’d fancy stepping back in time and exploring this ghost town for yourself.