Morton's Overlook - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Posted by: trailhound1
N 35° 36.783 W 083° 25.420
17S E 280477 N 3943736
A scenic overlook along U.S. Highway 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Waymark Code: WMAZNE
Location: Tennessee, United States
Date Posted: 03/16/2011
Views: 13
Morton's Overlook provides great views of the West Prong Little Pigeon River valley and the drive up/down US 441, as well as Clingmans Dome, Mt. Leconte, and the Chimneys.
Morton's Overlook is named for Ben a Morton (1875-1952). Ben Morton was mayor of Knoxville in the mid-1920’s and became an important
advocate for creation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He was particularly effective during 1925-1926 when seeking financial and political support from business leaders in Knoxville. As former mayor in 1927, he was appointed by the governor to serve on the Tennessee Great Smoky Mountains Park Commission which Col. David Chapman chaired. In this role he was intimately involved in resolving many land acquisitions, including the 1931 negotiated land settlement with Champion in Washington. The 3.0 million settlement with Champion, which owned almost 100,000 acres in the heart of the Smokies, finally assured that Great Smoky Mountains National Park would become a reality.
Describe - Highway or Road number: US Highway 441
Closest town or city: Gatlinburg, TN
Number of parking spots available: 15
Winter View: yes
Summer View: yes
Year around access ?: yes
Comfort station on site: no
Is a photo of an "Information Sign"included?: Yes
Name if a website describes this location.: Not listed
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