Photographs courtesy of the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park Service
All told, the acquisition of
lands needed for the Park totaled over $12 million. By today's
standards, the market value is immeasurable. However, the value
then or today can't be compared to what has been created and preserved
in the form of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The diversity
plants (more than 1,500 species), wildlife, recreation opportunities
(800 miles of hiking and horse trails), trout streams, the blend
of beautiful valleys such as Cades Cove and high peaks such as
Mt. LeConte. If you have seen the Smokies in Autumn's splendor,
or Spring's renewal, or even the breathtaking mountain vistas
of winter, you know there is no way we can place a monetary value
on the Park's lands. In hindsight, business interests have to
be pleased. The area gets 10 million visitors annually and revenues
are such that Tennessee doesn't have an income tax, due in large
part to the popularity of the Smokies area.
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