For years I have wanted to take a walk in the past at Fort Loudon. I have an interest in the French and Indian War and how it brought about the country we have today.  Having  wanted to visit the Fort for several years, I decided to drive a little over an hour from Gatlinburg to see it.  The fort is a great place to learn about our history.  Many people think that all the English lived on the East Coast until Daniel Boone opened up the land across the mountains.

In 1756 The English and Cherokee built the Old Fort further West than Boonesborough.  Boone built Fort Boonesborough twenty years latter in 1775. Fort Loudon’s main purpose was to help defend the Cherokee from attacks by the French and their Native American allies.

Even though you may not be a student of history, you would enjoy the beauty of the land around the Fort.

The Cherokee destroyed the old fort around 1760. It was rebuilt using the notes of  John William G. De Brahm, the original designer of the Fort. The first reconstruction started in 1935. Later the Tennessee Valley Association built a dam forming the Tellico Lake.  After securing the land the TVA  agreed to move the reconstructed fort to its current location.

Fort Loudon was much larger than I expected.

Outside the walls of Fort Loudon are examples of Cherokee homes.

The Cherokee built two types of houses, one with solid walls is an example of a winter home, whereas the open walled house was for summer use.  Lake Tellico now covers the original sites but the stories and History carries on.

Above is a photo of the original locations of Fort Loudon and the Cherokee village.  

Fort Loudon is a beautiful place to visit.  We took a picnic lunch to enjoy while we sat and looked at the lake and mountains.