Backcountry Inns and Taverns

Backcountry Notes ^ | April 12, 2010 | Jay Henderson

[jay1949]

Travelers in the early Backcountry often had to make do with campsites and lodgings in private homes, but the volume of traffic soon resulted in the construction of inns and taverns. With the development of better roads, there came stagecoaches and inns to accomodate coach travelers who needed a respite from the challenges of Backcountry transportation. [Vintage pictures]

[jay1949]

Mountain Folk and Log Cabins Ping List

Two log structures in this article.

[squarebarb]

thanks,Jay, much appreciated.Always look forward to your Backcountry posts.

[TennesseeGirl]

I remember stopping in for a drink at the Abingdon (VA) Tavern in the mid-80s. If I remember correctly, it was down the street from the Martha Washington Inn. It was a beautiful night and very romantic...

Sorry. I was sidetracked by a memory. I guess it’s a girl-thing.

[cva66snipe]

My moms ancestors lived along a route from Knoxville to Cumberland Gap. Actually is was a real low gap on Copper Ridge north of Knoxville near the Union County line. The second cabin or old home place as my grandmother called it still stands likely built in the mid to late 1800’s. GGGG Grandfather moved on the land about 1800. Believe it or not the land has actually stayed in the bloodline that long.

A book a local historian and Museum of Appalachia owner John Rice Irwin wrote about the area says that my ancestors always cooked extra food especially at supper. Their house wasn't an inn or anything like that it just happened to be about where people would have to stop their travel for the day. They had too cross their land to ford the creek.

[jay1949]

The stereotyped view of Southern Appalachia holds that if anyone approached a hillbilly’s cabin, he had a musket or shotgun stuck in his face and was told to “git.” The truth is — as usual — quite different. According to accounts written by those who traveled through the region in the 19th century, they were very often provided with lodging and meals by local families. The people of Appalachia were never as isolated from the outside world as myth would have it and they were — and are — as hospitable and outgoing as any in the South.

[gettinolder]

Thank you again, Jay