Once a thriving holiday destination for the wealthy, Elkmont in Tennessee now stands as a derelict ghost town within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Known for its walking paths, the 80-foot Laurel Falls, and annual synchronous firefly displays, the area was originally called 'Little River' and covered 86,000 acres.
In 1901, Colonel Wilson B. Townsend purchased the land and established the Little River Lumber company. The construction of a railway for timber operations brought a surge of visitors, transforming the location into a sought-after retreat for affluent travellers. Eventually, it became a permanent home for residents from Knoxville and was renamed Elkmont.
When the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was formed in 1934, property owners faced a difficult choice: sell their homes and leave immediately, or sell at a reduced price to the National Park Service in exchange for a lifelong lease. Homeowners continued to live there and negotiate lease renewals until the late 1980s.
By 1992, most leases had expired, forcing residents to vacate. This left 70 historic buildings abandoned, and the once-bustling town of 1,500 residents earned the nickname 'Elkmont Ghost Town'. While history buffs pushed for preservation, environmentalists advocated for demolition to allow the land to return to its natural state.
The National Park Service favoured demolition, but 19 of the 74 structures were listed on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring their restoration. The remaining buildings were demolished. Today, visitors can explore the deserted town, seeing rotting cabins with broken floors, flaking paint, and collapsed roofs, slowly being reclaimed by nature.
Reddit users have commented on Elkmont's slow demise, with one saying it is 'like a little sliver forever frozen in time' and another noting it gives 'Friday the 13th vibes'. Despite its eerie atmosphere, many walkers and tourists consider it a must-visit hidden treasure in Tennessee.
