Sevierville is well-known for its gorgeous landscapes, fantastic shopping scene, and reputation as the perfect vacation destination. You may also know it as the ‘Gateway to the Smokies,’ making it the place to go between all your Great Smoky Mountain adventures. There are undoubtedly many things you don’t know about this area, though, like where it got its name and what its vibe is all about. That’s why we’re here to give you the inside scoop with this guide on the top seven facts about Sevierville that we bet you didn’t know.
7 interesting facts about Sevierville:
John Sevier Inspired the Town Name
Sevierville was named for none other than John Sevier, who proudly served as a soldier, frontiersman, and politician through the years. He helped form Tennessee as it stands today by first serving in the American Revolutionary War.
Later on down the road, he began making waves as a politician. He first served as the State of Franklin’s governor, which would later become North Carolina. Then, he acted as the governor of Tennessee twice over, totaling about 11 years total. He was also a state senator and distinguished member of the US House of Representatives.
In honor of all his efforts, Sevierville is forever known as his namesake city. Sevier County also gives a nod to John, helping keep his memory alive for future generations.
Dolly Parton Grew Up Right in the Area
John Sevier is not the only one to leave a mark on Sevierville. Dolly Parton is another famous face who was born and raised right nearby in Locust Ridge.
She grew up alongside 11 siblings in a two-room cabin without any electricity or running water. You can actually see a replica of their cabin and learn more about her life with a visit to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. She also has a statute dedicated to her right in the heart of Sevierville.
Despite their hardships as a family, Dolly cherishes her childhood memories and celebrates her roots whenever she can. In addition to her humble spirit, she’s endlessly generous and kind, has true business smarts, and belts out memorable tunes with pitch-perfect accuracy, earning her a huge following of truly loyal fans.
The Small-Town Vibe is Alive and Well
In Sevierville, the small-town vibe is alive and well for all to enjoy. The townscape has endless charm and personality all its own. The friendly, relaxed atmosphere helps you to feel right at home from the start, allowing you to make the most of all your adventures.
On top of that, there’s a strong sense of community wherever you go. Although more than 17,000 people live here, it definitely feels like everyone knows one another and shares tight-knit bonds. You might even find it easy to form new friendships during your visit since everyone is so welcoming.
The Downtown Area Shows the Area’s Rich History
Although much of Sevierville has a relatively modern look and feel nowadays, this city got its start way back in 1795. That’s when Sevier County named the city as its county seat and inspired its future development.
Despite new additions and ongoing renovations, you can still see the rich history of the city in the downtown area if you know where to look. The Sevier County Courthouse, for example, has been standing tall since its inception in 1896. In the 1970s, the courthouse was renovated while still preserving its history.
Even today, you can see the vision of its original builders, the McDonald brothers, as they created the structure in the Beaux-Arts classical style. Plus, you can admire the bricks made by hand right in Sevierville by Isaac Dockery.
Sevierville is Part of the Smoky Mountain Trio
Despite being known as the Gateway to the Smokies, Sevierville is one of three major vacation destinations in the area. The other two are Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Together, these three cities provide endless entertainment to tourists and locals alike.
To get the full experience, you can easily zip down to Pigeon Forge from Sevierville in about 12 minutes tops. Then, continue your way to Gatlinburg in 35 minutes total. Better yet, you can take the Parkway all the way there and back again, making it easy to split your time between the three cities.
Over 100 Popular Attractions Await Your Visit
Across the greater Smoky Mountain trio area, you have over 100 popular attractions just begging for your attention. The most popular of which is Dollywood, of course, but there’s also:
Sevierville
- Aerial Adventure Park
- Soaky Mountain Waterpark
- RainForest Adventures Zoo
- Tennessee Museum of Aviation
- Sevierville Bowling Center
Pigeon Forge
- Titanic Museum
- Dolly Parton’s Stampede
- The Island in Pigeon Forge
- Jayell Ranch Adventure Park
- Crave Golf Club
Gatlinburg
Across all three cities, the local restaurants, bars, and breweries are second to none as well. There’s definitely a little something for everyone whenever hunger strikes during your adventures.
Year-Round Festivals Bring the Community Together
Local festivals run year-round to keep the community coming together for tasty food, wonderful music, and great times all around. Many local events land at the Sevierville Convention Center, although the local parks make excellent venues as well.
Events you might see on the calendar at any given time throughout the year include Ponies in the Smokies, Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland, Sevier County Fair, Fall Rod Run, and the Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival.
As events land on the calendar, local residents and tourists jump at the chance to join the fun and make memories to last a lifetime. Oftentimes, tourists even plan their return visit for the same time each year to make their favorite events a family tradition.
Whenever you get a chance to vacation in Sevierville, Tennessee, let these fun facts guide your way through town. You may find that you have an all-new appreciation for the area, allowing you to see the cityscape in a whole new light. Even if not, you’re sure to have plenty of memorable adventures as you enjoy all the local attractions, scenic views, and so much more.
