Sevierville, TN Summary

The area surrounding the Little Pigeon River was first settled by an Indian trader in 1780.

Sevierville was established as a town 15 years later. Archeologists believe a Woodland Native American culture existed in the region around 2000 BC.

Named for the first governor of the state, Sevierville (population 8,700) grew around trade. Much of the town was destroyed by a fire in 1856, but by 1896, when the Sevier County Courthouse was built, the town had been restored to its former glory.

Surrounded by the unspoiled backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the town now relies on tourism instead of the agricultural trade.

Every year during April, Dolly Parton, Sevierville’s honorary resident, returns to town to kick off neighboring Pigeon Forge’s Grand Opening at Dollywood, her signature theme park.

Sevierville’s rustic downtown center soon melts into a strip of motels, amusement parks, and outlet malls. The main attractions are the Sevier County Heritage Museum, featuring local frontier artifacts, Wilson’s North American Wildlife Museum, which has a 15,000-foot cave gallery showcasing some of North America’s animals, and Floyd Garret’s Muscle Car Museum.

Sevierville is linked to Knoxville by I-40 and Hwy 66, and is serviced through Knoxville’s McGee Tyson Airport.