Cades Cove History

The Cherokee people have deep roots in Cades Cove. Years before the first Euro-Americans settled in the cove, the Cherokee had their own village in the valley. Known as “Tsiya’hi,” which means “Otter Place,” the settlement was situated near streams that were teaming with otters. The name “Cades Cove” is taken from Chief Kade, the Cherokee leader of Tsiya’hi.

Is Cades Cove haunted? We can’t say for sure (that’s a question for paranormal investigators), but we do know that there are a few Cades Cove ghost stories that have been told for decades around these parts. One of our favorite tall tales from the valley was transcribed in The Granny Curse and Other Ghosts and Legends from East Tennessee, a 1999 book by Janet Barnett and Randy Russell. Known as “The Cussing Cover,” this electrifying ghost story is perfect for your next campfire. Read on for our retelling of this classic yarn.

The Cherokee, who first called the Great Smoky Mountains their home, named these mountains shaconage (shah-con-ah-jey), or “place of the blue smoke.” Europeans settled the land in the 1800s, followed by loggers and President Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps in the 20th century.

In addition to its stunning natural beauty, Cades Cove also boasts a long and fascinating past. Before you pay a visit to this incredible area, be sure to read our convenient guide to Cades Cove history.