Little Greenbrier School-Church - Great Smoky Mountains Natl Park
Posted by: 
vhasler
N 35° 41.015 W 083° 38.363
17S E 261145 N 3952064
Primative one-room schoolhouse/church is preserved in the national park.
Waymark Code: WM7JV8
Location: Tennessee, United States
Date Posted: 11/02/2009
Views: 27
Greenbrier was one of the communities taken over when the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was formed. Built out of split poplar logs with oak board shingles, the school opened for classes in fall 1882. Over its 52 years of existence, 39 teachers tried to impart some reading, math, writing, and religion. The building also functioned as a Primitive Baptist Church.
Children attended this school from as far as nine miles away - walking or by horse. Subsidence farming in the area required all hands, so school years could be as short as several weeks.
The school closed in 1935 when the GSMNP was created. The central heating stove is missing as well as the bell shown in pictures.
There are several ways to reach this location. One is via the tight one-lane gravel road from the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. In the winter (Jan-Mar) when the road is closed or if you prefer hiking, the 0.6 mi Metcalf Bottoms trail is available which starts at an orange gate from the picnic area. Alternatively from Hwy 321 in Wears Valley, TN take Lyons Springs Road (aka Wear Gap Road) into GSMNP (a "secret" unmarked entrance). Another tight one-lane gravel road will head east to the schoolhouse. Parking coordinates (space for three vehicles) on Wear Gap Road (also closed in winter) are N35 40.995 W083 38.770 for a 0.52 mile walk to the schoolhouse.
The secondary link below is the NRHP application.
Street address:
About 9 mi. W of Gatlinburg off TN 73 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Gatlinburg , TN USA
37738
County / Borough / Parish: Sevier County
Year listed: 1976
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event
Periods of significance: 1875-1899, 1900-1924, 1925-1949
Historic function: Education, Religion
Current function: Recreation And Culture, Vacant/Not In Use
Privately owned?: no
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.