By Chase Sullivan

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Gallagher and Dr. Bowen

Abstract

Recovering a Forgotten Past: Cades Cove, TN

Can modern GIS methods identify features, artifacts, and traces on the landscape from the now-erased township of Cades Cove with data sourced from remote sensing instruments?

Background:

Cades Cove, once a thriving community with a rich history dating back to its Indigenous roots, underwent a significant transformation in the early 20th century when it was acquired by the National Park Service. Acquiring the land via eminent domain in the 1930s led to the erasure of most homesteads that once stood in the Cove. The transition marked a shift in the landscape’s management and purpose, from a self-sufficient agricultural community to a destination focused on preserving natural and cultural resources while catering to tourists. This reimagining of Cades Cove led to a narrative idealizing a simpler pioneer lifestyle, negating the complexity and modernity of the former inhabitants’ lives.

The erasure of structures, deliberate disposals, and demolitions resulted in the loss of tangible traces of the Cove’s past, presenting a selective and romanticized view of its history. Today’s landscape serves as a symbolic wilderness, catering to visitors’ imagined expectations while overlooking the original settlers’ authentic heritage. Continued research using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing offers a valuable opportunity to uncover anthropogenic traces of the former township, which are no longer represented on the landscape today. By utilizing these technologies, researchers can attempt to reconstruct and visualize the historical landscape of Cades Cove, offering a more comprehensive understanding of its evolution and the impact of its transformation. This research can provide insights into Cades Cove’s lost heritage and help to acknowledge the erased narratives of its past inhabitants.

Abstract:

The project, “Recovering a Forgotten Past: Cades Cove, TN,” utilizes modern Geographic Information Systems (GIS) methods and remote sensing tools to identify and visualize anthropogenic traces of the erased township within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. By leveraging historical documents, remote sensing data, and spatial analysis techniques, the project aims to reconstruct what is possible and understand more fully the settlement of Cades Cove that subsequent modifications have obscured. The methodology employed, including georeferencing historical documents, conducting image analysis of Digital Elevation Models and LiDAR Point Cloud data, and implementing a series of hotspot analyses, the research offers a detailed exploration of the Cove’s evolution from its original settlement to its current status as a tourist destination.

The significance of this work lies in its ability to challenge the selective and romanticized narratives that have dominated the historical representation of Cades Cove since its acquisition. By addressing ethical concerns related to displacement and landscape transformation, this project underscores the importance of considering the complexities of human interventions and historical representation in land preservation and tourism. Through the recovery of these lost traces and visualizing the landscape as it stood before significant alterations, the project seeks to honor the legacy of former residents, acknowledge their descendants, and enrich the cultural identity and heritage of the region. The outcome of this Capstone Project, through its findings and representation of Cades Cove, extends beyond GIS and geography to contribute significantly to historic preservation, archaeology, curatorship, and visitor experiences at the National Park Service.