Historic Montvale

1832-2011

Montvale Springs Hotel

Montvale Springs Hotel

The first hotel at Montvale was a log cabin built in 1832.By the 1860’s the cabin had been

replaced by the 125-room Seven Gables Hotel known as the

Saratoga of The South.

.

Historic Trees

Rare trees planted in the 1860’s by Asa Watson, who

built the Seven Gables Hotel, survive today.

1920’s photos from Knox County Library’s Calvin M. McClung Historical

Collection

Montvale Cedars

Today Cedar trees planted in the 1800’s line

the old Montvale road

as shown in this 1920’s

photo.

Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection

The Bandstand

In the 19th century guests

were entertained by band concerts.

The current structure is a

replica.

Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection

1920’s Montvale

This building replaced The Seven Gables Hotel, which

burned in 1896 – still guests

came to escape summer heat

and to take the waters.

Calvin M. McClung Historical

Collection

Spring Houses

In the 1830’s hunters noticed the deer gathering

to drink at Montvale’s springs.

There were several springs on the Montvale Springs

Hotel property – a sulphur spring three miles from the

hotel and two springs nearby provided mineral

waters.

Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection

Montvale’s Springs

Montvale spring water was praised

by Dr. John Moorman as

valuable in the treatment of

maladies ranging from anemia to

dyspepsia, dropsy, paralysis and

nervous afflictions.

Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection

Healing Waters

The mineral waters were rich in iron

and sulphuric acid as well as lime,

magnesia, chlorine, soda and potash.

Montvale water was described as light, refreshing, and agreeable to

the taste.

Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection

Mountain Views

The view from the hotel’s

200-foot porch toward

Chilhowee Mountain and the Smokies

attracted guests through the 1920’s and

1930’s.

Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection

Pflanze Family

Ludwig Pflaze of Maryville

purchased Montvale in 1911.

The family lived in this house and operated the hotel until it

burned in 1933.

Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection

Montvale Hotel Rear View

The hotel was known for its excellent food –

especially its homemade bread and chicken pie.

Roxie Thompson recalled her first job at Montvale

was to kill 25 chickens for dinner.

Meals were cooked on wood stoves and

fireplaces heated the hotel.

Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection

1930’s Montvale Map

Seven Gables Pavilion

The last hotel at Montvale burned in

1933. Only the stone steps remained.

The YMCA purchased the property for a camp in 1948 and

later constructed the Seven Gables Pavilion

on the hotel site.

The Twin House

Little is known of the origins of this unusual structure. One theory

is that the house combines two of the

cabins that at one time lined the main

road into the property.

The YMCA used the twin house as housing

for counselors and storage for camping

equipment.

The Clay House

Built by Ludwig Pflanze sometime

after 1911, the clay house is an example

of rammed earth construction and is

thought to be one of the first such buildings east of the Mississippi.

The clay house was used by the YMCA as

housing for camp counselors.

Ludwig Pflanze also built the clay barn using rammed earth construction.

Camp Montvale

From 1949-2006 the YMCA’s Camp

Montvale provided special summer camping experiences and happy memories for many, many

campers.

Camp Montvale Memories

Montvale Today

These cabins were built in

2002.

Montvale’s Future

Montvale’s storied history continues with

Harmony Adoptions and

the plans to establish the

Harmony Family Center at Montvale.

The grounds at Montvale will once again welcome families and children.

The Infirmary will become the new Therapy Center.

The lodge, cabins and grounds will be available to the community for meetings, retreats, and special events.

And Montvale will continue to be a place of peace, beauty, and healing.