Stop at the John Oliver Cabin: Cades Cove Loop Road

The John Oliver Cabin on the Cades Cove Loop Road is the place that many people consider Stop #1 on the road. The John Oliver Cabin is officially listed as Stop #2 on the Cades Cove Loop Road with Sparks Lane being the first point of interest.

John Oliver gravesite Cades Cove

No matter which way you look at it, the cabin is the first historic building on the drive. It is made of  hewn logs and is typical of a home from the mid-1850's. A tongue and groove method was used on the logs so that they would fit together tightly on the corners. No pegs or nails were needed.

We are all familiar with photos of early cabins. The tongue and groove building method may have been sturdy but it left undesirable gaps between the logs. Mud was packed into the gaps which made the home cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter and kept the inside of the John Oliver Cabin dry. Completing the cabin are split wood shingles and a stone chimney.

John and Lucretia Oliver made their home in this 1820's era cabin. There is a front and rear porch. The grassy area around the cabin is defined by a wooden rail fence. A parking area lets you park close to the John Oliver Cabin and walk up to it.

Stay as long as you like both here and at the other points of interest along the drive. The Cades Cove Loop Road is a self-guided tour. The park closes at dusk.

Your next stop will be at the Primitive Baptist Church.

This link http://bit.ly/17VAgdg opens to give you a map of the Cades Cove Loop in the Smokies. Each one of the points of interest is marked on the map.