This may be the last footage shot of the Wonderland Hotel in the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee before the Park Service salvaged parts of it and then demolished the rest, the artifacts were shipped to Oak Ridge Tennessee fall of 2006. The Wonderland was located in the (Ghost Town) community of Elkmont Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Also we include some vintage 1936 National Archives footage on the Park. video.google.com Check out briangrishamstudios.com for some awesome Artistic prints of the Wonderland and more. T Edwards. Dan McCoig, Janet Lockerby, Nick Ulmer
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Nice directions Bruce. Last time we were there It was hard to see the steps.
It’s worth the drive out to Elkmont to see. The old hotel site is easy to miss. For those who plan to go and haven’t been, after you turn off the main road and head toward Elkmont, the old rock staircase will be on the left side of the road. You have to watch carefully for it. It still had the metal pipes up the sides of it as of Oct 2011 but it is very over grown in brush. I didn’t check the mileage but I would say it’s not more than a mile or so from the main road.
Thank you for putting us onto this place! My wife and I traveled there Oct 2011 to see the ruins. Even though a sad sight, we still felt privileged to walk up the old rock stairway and stand in front of what used to be. There is also a historic billboard at the top with pictures of the hotel in full swing. That was really something memorable to see. For those who haven’t been, the old clubhouse next to the hotel still stands as of last year so there is still time to see history before it’s gone
I really wished I talked to that woman. Apparently, she used to live there when she was younger because she told her husband stories of each and every building that was still standing. I had taken pictures and video of nearly every building in Elkmont. I have a video taken of the area where the Wonderland Hotel ruins are, along with the Wonderland Club. All that remains of the hotel is a fireplace, part of the floor, and stairs.
When I went back to Elkmont, I was very surprised at how different it looked. I can remember being 5 or 6 years old and seeing a lot of those old buildings everywhere. There was an older couple we seen that was exploring many of the old houses. I overheard the older lady’s husband ask if she had stayed there as a child. She walked up to one of the houses and answered that this particular house was the one she stayed in as a little girl. She looked like she was about to cry.
How was your trip back to the Smokies?
When I was a little girl, my parents took me on a hiking trip to Husky Branch Falls. I can recall us going through Elkmont on a rainy day and seeing all those old buildings. Off in the distance, I can remember seeing the Wonderland Hotel, sad and falling in on itself. To realize this 15 years later is sobering–to know that I saw this once majestic hotel in its last years is a great honor. I’m going back there tomorrow–the first time in nearly 16 years.
I was lucky enough to stay there as a kid with my family. My sister and I played ping pong many times while we waited on our dinner. The Elkmont area cabin are actually being restored now and the main club house has been completely restored and can now be reserved for various functions.
I spent all my summers at Elkmont growing up, and am proud that I got to see The Wonderland Hotel in all its glory. We’d walk over to the hotel a couple of nights a week and sit on the porch, play ping pong in the game room and eat the best cobbler in the dining room. It’s sad to see that the hotel is no more.
i lived in place east coast and wish it could be restored. course tenants are not ever mentioned and its turning to something like this wonder hotel
Respond to this video…
I wonder if you could tell me how to get there. We went yesterday and found the cemetery and one old house but that was it. We couldn’t find the rest of the houses and cottages or the site of the Wonderland Club. THANKS!
I wonder if you could tell me how to get there. We went yesterday and found the cemetery and one old house but that was it. We couldn’t find the rest of the houses and cottages or the site of the Wonderland Club. THANKS!
I wonder if you could tell me how to get there. We went yesterday and found the cemetery and one old house but that was it. We couldn’t find the rest of the houses and cottages or the site of the Wonderland Club. THANKS!
I wonder if you could tell me how to get there. We went yesterday and found the cemetery and one old house but that was it. We couldn’t find the rest of the houses and cottages or the site of the Wonderland Club. THANKS!
Stayed there once,think it was in 1979.Campground was full,and didnt feel like running around looking for another place.Was nice,but was in middle of the summer,and was stiflingly hot.Also ate there a couple times,and walked there a couple times from campground for a bottle of sodie pop.Dont know why they would close it,was barely noticable,and was a nice historical site.
LOL! I can see you now! Red face like a baboon!
LOL!
Yep! The rotting hulk is mostly gone, now! Soon most of the formerly private homes will be gone, too. It’s so good to see them rot!
LOL! You are hilarious!
You need to learn to come up with a good comeback retard! The “Spelling” comeback is so easy and cheap!
I’m the one laughing retard
LOL! You need to learn how to spell!
Dan, thanks for the video. I have been going to the Smokies for 16 years and this was a piece of history that I never knew. I think that all things that were there before the park was established is history. This is sad that they let it go. Keep the tape running I enjoy it.
Dan thanks for the video. I would never have known alot of what you have made videos on and I have been going to the Smokies for 16 years. This is sad. Thanks and do not stop. Keep filming.
And yet again, you are a JERK
Once again James, you are a JERK