In the most beautiful place in the world, in the middle of what many considered one of God’s most heavenly Masterpieces, along the West Fork of the Little Pigeon River in eastern Tennessee, R.L. (Rellie or Rei as he was called) Maples lived on his family farm in a home of his own making. Unlike most of their neighbors in the small town of Gatlinburg, he put up a sign and invited visitors who were visiting the neighborhood, to come and stay with him. Known by its family name as well as for its hand-crafted hard rock maple furniture, home became Maples Manor which had eight guest rooms in 1937; as years went by, he added more to accommodate all those who dropped by. That very same year, the surrounding land and mountains were proclaimed The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was as if a call went out to the world, inviting entrepreneurs, established businesses, and yes, travelers, to make their way into the Smoky Mountains. Known as the gateway to the park, Gatlinburg moved far beyond that of a logging community to that of a tourist destination. And none made it more inviting than the Maples family.
He and his wife Wilma’s legacy remain on the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg. And, if you’re lucky enough to get a room in this historic property, you’ll understand the love affair that generations have had with the original Maples Manor.
Judy and Len Garrison are at home in Farmington, Georgia, just on the outskirts of Dawg country – better known as Athens. Len, an IT manager for a major Atlanta company, and Judy, an editor, author and travel writer, invite you to travel along with them as they explore the best of the South. Email them at seeingsouthern@gmail.com. Visit their website at Seeing Southern, and follow them on Twitter at @judyhgarrison, @seeing_southern, LIKE them on Facebook and on Instagram.
