History of the Historic Gatlinburg Inn

Of all the hotels in Gatlinburg, The Historic Gatlinburg Inn has a rich and intriguing past. It boasts a long list of interesting visitors. From frequent guest Liberace to Lady Bird Johnson, the Inn is the kind of place that attracts everyone from families to celebrities, from artists to presidents. It is the kind of place that inspires filmmakers and songwriters. And it’s the kind of place that you wouldn’t give up for any price.

“The Inn is the kind of place that attracts everyone
from families to celebrities, from artists to presidents.”

Just ask the Maples and Miller families. After inheriting The Historic Gatlinburg Inn in 2011, the Maples and Millers had many choices before them, but they recognized that The Historic Gatlinburg Inn is priceless and, instead, chose to preserve its legacy. And, thanks to that honorable decision, you too can become a part of history as a guest at The Historic Gatlinburg Inn.

The Maples and Hospitality Solutions, Inc., were recently recognized for their restoration efforts by receiving the Community History Award from the East Tennessee Historical Society.

Our Place in History, Intact

As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was being created in the 1930s, Rel Maples Sr. built The Historic Gatlinburg Inn on what had been a family corn patch along the West Fork of the Little Pigeon River. Built in 1937, the Inn was quickly expanded and soon became a landmark not only for visitors, but for locals. It was the first home of the chamber of commerce, the local newspaper, the town’s first bank, its first dentist, and the offices of the City of Gatlinburg.

After World War II, the Smokies became the most visited national park, and The Historic Gatlinburg Inn became a favorite “home away from home” for visitors from all over the country, including many leaders in business, government and the entertainment world, including Lady Bird Johnson, J.C. Penney, Dinah Shore, Liberace and Tennessee Ernie Ford. It co-hosted the National Governors’ Conference in 1951 and appeared in the 1970 movie, “A Walk in the Spring Rain,” starring Ingrid Bergman and Anthony Quinn. Its strongest connection to the entertainment world is through Hall of Fame songwriters Boudleaux and Felice Bryant, whose more than 1,500 published songs include “Rocky Top,” which was written in Room 388 and is the theme song of the University of Tennessee.

While the historic Inn has been a favorite of the famous, it retains its family atmosphere, and five generations of some families have been our guests. The roses that Wilma Maples planted for Rel in the 1950s still adorn the grounds, which create a quiet oasis in the middle of downtown Gatlinburg. When in search of hotels in Gatlinburg, we hope you can make your family part of our history.

Our Place in Pop Culture

The Historic Gatlinburg Inn is a mecca for songwriters, and we often serve as the hub for songwriting festivals that take place in Gatlinburg. In 1967, Felice and Boudleaux Bryant checked checked in here to write songs for an album by Archie Campbell and ended up writing one of the most iconic songs in history – Rocky Top! Based on its contributions to music history, the Historic Gatlinburg Inn has been designated a Tennessee Music Pathways Destination.