A lot has changed since the doors first opened to the Little Greenbrier School. Over 130 years ago, this building doubled as a church and school for the residents of the now ghost town of Little Greenbrier.
For those who have never visited the historical landmark, the Little Greenbrier School is a one story building with an attic measuring roughly 20 feet by 30 feet. Atop it’s stone foundation, the walls, ceiling, floor, pews, door and roof all showcase the many types of trees native to the Great Smoky Mountains including poplar, oak and white pine.
The idea for the school began when the citizens of Little Greenbrier asked leaders with Sevier County for a teacher for their children. The country replied that they would supply the town a teacher if and when they had a proper building. Thus the Little Greenbrier school was born.
The land Little Greenbrier School is located on, and the building supplies used to construct it, were donated by two townsmen. Construction on the school was a community effort with the help of John Walker, the father of the Walker sisters, and began in early 1882. The first classes were held the following fall, and lead by Richard Perryman.
From 1882 to 1936 the Little Greenbrier School enriched the minds of the community both academically and spiritually. A baptist congregation used the school to hold services, and were the ones responsible for the small cemetery located near the school.
Today the Little Greenbrier School sits empty, tucked away in it’s forest hideaway of history. Now on the National Historic Registry, the school can be reached either by a drive down a gravel road, or via a pleasant hike on the Little Brier Gap Trail. Whichever way you take, the step into history is well worth the trip.
What better way to celebrate learning about the history of this Smoky Mountain cabin than your family creating a bit of cabin history of it’s own. Timber Tops Luxury Cabin Rentals provides families with the Smoky Mountain cabin experience with all of modern day’s amenities. To see a listing of our available cabins click on the ‘Cabins’ tab on our website. You can also give us a call at 1–800-266-1066, our staff is happy to answer any and all questions you and your family may have when planning your next Smoky Mountain vacation.
