Montvale History

Historic Montvale

1832-2012

Foute Hotel

The first hotel at Montvale was a

10-room log cabin built in 1832 by Daniel Foute.

Montvale TrailsFoute bought 6,300 acres of mountain

land along the Chilhowee and into

Cades Cove. He used Cherokee Indians to

lay out trails and build roads over Chilhowee

Mountain, to Cades Cove, Gregory’s Bald, and Abrams Creek.

Spring Houses

There were several springs on the

Montvale Springs Hotel property – a

black sulphur spring three miles from the hotel and two springs nearby provided mineral

waters.

Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection

Seven Gables Hotel

Asa Watson replaced the log

hotel with this 125 room hotel that

could accommodate

300-400 guests.

Montvale Springs Hotel

By the 1860’s the 125-room Seven Gables Hotel had become known as the Saratoga

of The South.

Historic Trees

Rare Ginkgo trees planted in

the 1860’s by Asa Watson,

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.


The Bandstand

In the 19th century guests

were entertained by band concerts,

dances, and musical

entertainment.


The Third Montvale Springs

Hotel

When the original hotel burned in

1896, it was replaced in 1901

with this 5-gable hotel that

could accommodate 100

guests.

1920’s Montvale

Rear view of the building

that replaced The Seven

Gables Hotel – still guests

came to escape summer heat

and to take the 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.


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.


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.


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.


Montvale Hotel Kitchens

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.


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 1947 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 lined the main road in the 19th

century.

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 1947-2005 the YMCA’s Camp

Montvale provided special summer

camping experiences and happy memories

for many, many campers.

Camp Montvale Memories

Montvale’s Future

Montvale’s storied history continues

with Harmony Adoptions and 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.

Montvale Today

These cabins will house children and

families in residential therapy

at the Harmony Family Center.

The lodge and grounds will be available for community events.

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

Montvale History

Art & Photos

Transcript of Montvale History