The Sunnyside Trail Opens in East Tennessee

A new scenic byway is open to motorists who plan to visit the Great Smoky Mountains region of East Tennessee and would like to do some scenic driving and exploration. The Sunnyside Trail winds along Smoky Mountain back roads through lush Appalachian countryside. Jump-start your journey by outlet shopping in Sevierville, hometown to Dolly Parton. See the work of blacksmiths, carriage makers, potters, and glassblowers in Gatlinburg's Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community. Stop at the Newport/ Cocke County Museum to view Appalachian and Native American artifacts and Carver's Applehouse Restaurant for lunch then check out the Briarwood Safari Park.

Just a few of the many other sights along the trail are the Trotter-water House, New Salem Church, Wonderworks and the Titanic Museum, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, the Foothills National Parkway, Holloway’s Country Home (quilts), the Valentine Sevier Home, the Doak House Museum.

For many more details as well as suggestions on lodging and dining, visit the Sunnyside Trail page of the Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways web site.

First Civil War Trails Sign Location

The official location for the first marker sign on Cocke County's Civil War Trails was announced on Thursday, July 29th. One of two signs sponsored by the Parrottsville Ruritan Club will be placed on the lot where the late Charles and Aileen Cureton once operated a store in downtown Parrottsville.

The Cureton's daughters, Charlene and Barbara, volunteered to have the sign placed there within sight of where Peter Reece was hanged during the Civil War. The hanging occurred across the street and up the hill from where the sign will be located. The sign is expected to be erected in time for next year's sesquicentennial of the American Civil War.