haunted cades cove haunted cades cove

There has been a great amount of history that has occurred in the Smoky Mountains and particularly in Cades Cove. 1-3 of 3 replies. Many people claim Elkmont is one of the eeriest places to visit, especially the Wonderland Hotel. Of course, if you'd rather not run into a wandering spirit, you could always just spin some of your own ghost stories while you sit around the fireplace in your cabin. The home was initially situated on a one-acre tract that John Cable sold Leason Gregg. Occasionally, visitors have reported strange sightings of figures near grave sights. It was built in 1804, and some say they can still hear the cries of the forever entombed and imprisoned, screaming for freedom through the windows. The park is now permanently closed, which means he may have peace and quiet for a long, long time. Look through our Smoky Mountain cabins and book one today for your next ghost hunt! Our office hours are currently 8:00am - 10:00pm, Monday thru Sunday. If you'd like to see some ghostly activities in Cades Cove, simply stick around dusk when the crowds die down. click on the Favorites tab to view a list of your selected Favorites. I talked to the Manager, and I told him what I saw, and he explained that a little girl fell from the balcony years ago, and from time to time people would see her playing on the balcony. to allow us to collect information through cookies. Next I looked down on the rocks below ,I saw the little girl standing on the rocks, pointing up to the balcony where I first saw her playing. The establishment was Drummond Bridge is part of a railway system that transported coal from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s in Eastern Tennessee. Shortly after opening as a lodge in 1939, a young woman named Lydia, who lived at the lodge, was jilted by her fiance at the altar of a Gatlinburg church. Old Greene County Gaol - Greeneville Wikimedia Commons You havent been right and truly scared until youve been alone in an Elkmont cabin. In the 1930s, a woman named Lydia is jilted at the altar of a Gatlinburg church and returns to the lodge where shes staying. details page for properties listed in your Favorites. Some guests have reported seeing glowing orbs from the graves in Cades Cove at night (Illustration of Cades Cove by TheSmokies.com). They pierced her heart, ending her. Remove from Favorites: You may de-select (remove) properties from your Favorites you no longer wish to consider by either While the pioneers of the Smokies have long since passed on, their legacy (and perhaps their spirits) can still be found in the nooks and crannies of the rolling hills of the Smokies. The Cades Cove Cabin Too Haunted To Live In? -, We've got news, events, and tips to make your vacation in Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains better than ever! To help you navigate your Guest User account, we've provided a helpful guide to walk you through the process. Monks started to notice that an apparently large . The land was fertile and provided the settlers with everything they needed to flourish. Haunted Cades Cove: The Spookiest Places in the Isolated Valley September 28, 2022 Listen To This Blog- Click Play The fall season brings about sweater weather and is also known as the spooky season! And they asked me to talk to the manager. Updated: Oct 31, 2022 / 11:26 AM EDT GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) Many spooky stories come from Cades Cove, but one is especially electric. December 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Browse all Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg condos. They were forced to leave their homes as the highway that led to those communities was buried by the lake. In Cades Cove, its the spirits thatll get you, if you dont watch out. There is a chill from these spirits and their stories that has lingered from those who have passed tragically or with unfinished business. Next:These Haunted Roads Are The Last Places We'd Want To Be Stuck With A Flat, Lianna boarded a plane by herself for the first time at the tender age of 12 to traverse nearly 9,000 miles halfway across the world. There has been a great amount of history that has occurred in the Smoky Mountains and particularly in Cades Cove. 8. There are plenty of ghost stories associated with the Smoky Mountains, just don't think about them when you're hiking through. Note: If you need to change the email address on your reservation, please contact the reservations office for further assistance. At one point, hundreds of people lived around where Fontana Lake is today prior to it being a lake. If youre feeling brave and ready to head out to these haunted places in the Smoky Mountains, we can help by providing you with a non haunted place to stay! There has been a great amount of history that has occurred in the Smoky Mountains and particularly in Cades Cove. The 11 cemeteries include Boring Family Cemetery, Cable Family Cemetery, Cades Cove Methodist Church Cemetery, Cades Cove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Cades Cove Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Davis Cemetery, Graveyard Hill Cemetery, Lawson Cemetery, LeQuire Family Cemetery, Noah Burchfield Cemetery, and Post Cemetery. February 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. A murder victim, perhaps? It's a beautiful gem of a place, tucked up in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park - but folks have reported some strange things happening out there. Trulie Jane was a large gal, and she found that Maviss old wooden bed simply wasnt big enough for her. Although they're considered to be ghost stories, there's no saying whether or not the spirits from them do really linger on after meeting their tragic ends, or whether the history has more truth to it than many people realize. Think; bright and sunny day turned dark grey with downpours within a matter of minutes. Now haunted Cades Cove, read on to learn of The Cussing Cover, the most popular haunt of this area! Why not visit a few haunted places in the Smoky Mountains to get you in the scary spirit of this time of year? A.M.S. What is very interesting about Cades Cove is there are actually records of 14 cemeteries but only 11 have been located to date! Top ways to experience Cades Cove and nearby attractions. We are not endorsed by, authorized by, or affiliated with any mentioned attractions. As the population grew, many other buildings were erected in need of things like a schoolhouse and churches. I think I read the house in cades cove is suppose to be haunted but I forge tthe details. A historic settlement, Cades Cove was initially settled by John Oliver in 1812. Hikers who brave this rock face will expect a 4-hour steep climb near Mt. Haunted Attractions For those who enjoy a good scare, A.M.S. One of Mavis's favorite pieces of patchwork was a quilt she made out of one of Basil's old flannel shirts. All you need to know about the most visited national park in the country. Early settlers in the Smokies named this barren, craggy rockface "The Devil's Courthouse" for its sinister appearance which led them to create a tale that the Devil himself held court in the cave underneath the diabolical-looking cliff. As the story goes, the Cussing Cover is still out there, possibly for sale in a shop around the Smokies. Spearfinger appears throughout Cherokee stories and is said to make her home in the highest ridges of the Smokies. But a couple of facts remain: when visitors step foot into the Cove, unknowing of the stories that were born here, they report strange feelings and voices. There are many ghost stories about Cades Cove to learn about! Later he went to find her parents to ask for her hand in marriage, only to be informed that she had been dead for many years. The rest of the cabin remained untouched, and the Cussing Cover was in pristine condition. hit the Compare button. A parishioner that has worshipped straight into the afterlife? The area and the communities that used to occupy the communities in Swain County actually has several Smoky Mountain legends to tell. In the 1930s, this restaurant was used as a bed and breakfast. Over the years, Cades Cove has seen its fair share of murder and tragedy, like the gravestone of Gregory Russel that reads "Killed by North Carolina Rebels." Oddly enough, there were no thunderstorms that night in the Cove, just a single bolt of lightning that happened to land right on Basil. First, the trail itself boasts tons of cemeteries and old homesteads along its trail. What a strange thing to have etched forever on your final resting place. We respect our customer's privacy and feel it is disrespectful to bombard anyone with emails. Legend has that Lucy died in a cabin fire around 1909. Before European settlers came to the valley, the area itself was heavily traveled by the Cherokee people and was worked as a place to hunt the abundance of deer, elk, bison, and bears. There are reports of glowing orbs floating above the graves of people who lived in the Cove before it became a tourist track. She was looking over the balcony. Long before the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Esteps were one of the families that called Cades Cove home. Our favorite story is The Cussing Cover. As we have with many of the old traditions, weve slowly chipped away at the ancient beliefs, leaving only the shining veneer of modernity. Full-day Tours. Needless to say, an old plantation house with this much bloodshed and tragedy is bound to have specters roaming its halls. We look forward to helping you make your dream vacation a reality! June 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Cookies enable you to use shopping carts and personalize your experience on our site, tell us which parts of our website you have visited, Her only weakness was her heart, which she carried in her right hand. Of all her many quilts, Maviss favorite was a patchwork made with pieces of one of Basils shirts, a red flannel. Cabins USA does not endorse any of the products, vendors, consultants, or $12.99. After many travels during a B.A. (10042 Campground Drive), There are more than 13,000 acres in the Meeman-Shelby Forest, a stunning spot located in Western Tennessee. Its a classic haunting yarn, a tale as old as time. Next time you visit, let us know if you experienced a haunted Cades Cove! Get more stories delivered right to your email. The ex-fiance is found days later having been mauled by a mountain cat. Cades Cove 5,508 Reviews #26 of 104 things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Nature & Parks, Nature & Wildlife Areas Cades Cove Loop Rd., Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN 37738-4102 Save Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Audio Driving Tour 1 Book in advance from $12.99 per adult Check availability View full product details Thanks to the rich tradition of storytelling from the Irish and Scottish immigrants that settled the Smoky Mountains, there are plenty of spooky stories to go around. The cabins that were built long ago look exactly the same (with a bit of wear and tear, of course, due to the elements and the factor of time passing) and the cemeteries that were dug centuries ago have not been moved or relocated. Devastated, Lydia rushed back to the Greenbriar lodge, threw a rope over a rafter, and hung herself still in her wedding dress. It's a 3-story haunted house located in downtown Gatlinburg and has live actors. The Cherokee people tell a story of a hidden lake in the Great Smoky Mountains called Atagh. Probably the most well-known location on this list of haunted places in the Smoky Mountains, the abandoned cabins, churches, and cemeteries make for an eerie scene as dusk approaches. One cold night, Trulie Jane awoke to find an extra blanket. As a result, this fearful presence could take the form of a seemingly harmless squirrel or a faint shadow in the forest. The remains of which are reportedly in Blount County. The bridge itself crosses over Coal Creek, a namesake of the goods used to m Shiloh National Military Park was established on December 27th of 1894 to commemorate the April Battle of Corinth that raged around the Shiloh Church and Pittsburg Landing. It's been said that more than 70 people have been murdered on the property, and 69 of the home slaves and 2 Revolutionary War soldiers are buried on the grounds. There are even some tombs that are marked, "Murder Victims." The antebellum plantation in Sevier County known as Wheatlands is on the National Register Of Historic Places and is the location of the famous Battle of Boyd's Creek. Need assistance or have questions, please give us a call so we may better and give us insights into user behavior so we can improve our communications and products. Not much is known about Chief Kade, although his existence was confirmed by Peter Snider, a European trader who lived in nearby Tuckaleechee Cove. Heres Our Top 7, Is the Laurel Falls Hike Easy? Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate and a partner of other affiliate programs including Booking.com, CJ and Tripster, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases via links found in this article. Read on for our retelling of this classic yarn. Cades Cove is a very old part of the Smoky Mountains and it's not surprising that there are so many stories to come out of this area. I walked back towards a bridge that crosses the stream, and I went into the hotel, and I went up to the front desk. clicking on the minus icon to the right or by clicking on the "- Favorites" displayed on property list pages and each property Supposedly the ghost of a young woman named Lydia haunts the place. This remains a mystery! Mavis called her masterpiece, the Cussing Cover because Basil had been wearing the red shirt during the couples first marital spat, in which Basil had used some colorful language. When ready, August 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. than 3 boxes may be selected at one time. People have noted a feeling of someone watching them and others have photographed orbs floating around the cabins and other buildings! Its a relic of a long-ago time when the world was wild and the 20s were roaring. She loved to sew, but wouldn't even use her quilting needle during a thunderstorm. Spearfinger was a shapeshifter who would pose as family members of her child victims before cutting them open and eating their livers! Didn't find the information you needed? Within thirty years by 1850, the valley had reached a population of 685 residents. January 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Ultimately, it was not lightning that took Maviss life but a severe illness. 7 Steakhouses, Ranked, Who Has the Best Pancakes in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg? It's no wonder that several visitors hold this site to be a haunt for Smoky Mountain ghosts. The Primitive Baptist Church, well-known and highly regarded by photographers, was built in 1826. People have reported coming down the church at dusk or just after nightfall and reported seeing a ghost apparition of a woman, or just a woman's face, around the side of the church. Just a few hours later, a brilliant flash of light burst into the Estep home and knocked Trulie Jane right out of bed. There are few specific ghost stories about the area, but a place filled with abandoned cabins, churches, and cemeteries is bound to have some spooky history. The reason they couldn't stay is that during the flooding process, the highway that led to the town was bound to be destroyed which would have left them stranded - thus, they did the only thing they could do and left their homes. The Gay Street Bridge in Knoxville is said to be haunted because of all the public hangings that were held at the bridge. The brave young stranger takes the elders up on their offer. His decapitated spirit is said to now wander the park, spooking patrons on the search for his lost head. There is a gravestone of Russell Gregory on which it is written, "Murdered by North Carolina Rebels." There might be more dead bodies beneath the ground where the tourists are walking. The woman locked eyes with Trulie and started to scream. If a different email is on your reservation, you'll need to create a guest account with that email to manage the reservation. By doing so, you can learn about special promotions and events in the Smoky Mountains! As fate would have it, she picked The Cussing Cover, as she was quite taken by the beautiful red flannel patterns. Another place where many people have reported paranormal sightings is the Roaring Fork Motor Trail. Some people who tour Cades Cove say they get an eerie feeling around certain buildings or have even seen apparitions floating around the historic site. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The Cherokee were distrustful of anyone who wondered away from the village for too long since Spearfinger possesses the ability to shapeshift. These hot spots are famous for their hauntings, full of legend and horror. Another popular paranormal activity you might see in the Smoky Mountains is in LeConte Lodge. Once your account is created, you can start managing your reservations. We hope you enjoy your stay with us and look forward to helping you make incredible vacation memories. businesses referenced in these web pages. But the truly creepy aspect, to me, is the remote mountain resort that has more than a little taste of The Shining. I looked up at one of the balconies, and I heard a a young child laughing, and I saw a young girl that looked like she was about 7 years old, and she had brownish blonde hair. The number next to the Favorites tab, left sidebar, will increase up to 99 possible Favorites. The leading independent voice for aviation news and insight. Ignoring the promise he made to his first wife, Basil allowed Trulie to bring a quilt onto the metal bed. The government promised to replace the road with a new one, Lakeview Drive, that give people access to their old family cemeteries. The church that stands today in Cades Cove was built in 1887. August 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. _______________________________________________. Another notable creepy encounter is the ability to see a womans face coming out of the church walls. LeConte and isn't accessible by maintained trails. The Esteps enjoyed a reasonably happy life in the valley, although Mavis was plagued with a persistent fear: she was absolutely terrified of being struck by lightning. Find out which popular steakhouse prepared each of these delicious bites of steak below (photos by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com), Flapjack's Pancake Cabin has six locations around the Smokies (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com). My husband and I hiked on a local trail, we heard people talking behind us, and I backed tracked and couldnt find anyone behind us, and that upset me because I felt a hand on my shoulders!! About a year later a man named Foster, who was in the market for a wife, spotted a beautiful woman in the woods and shared his horse with her. Mavis quilts were eventually sold to one of the Estep daughters and ended up in the hands of a collector. People have claimed to see floating orbs around these areas, as well as in pictures. Mavis was born during a thunderstorm and had a persistent fear of being struck by lightning. You don't have to wait until the search completes to select/deselect items for your perfect search. Thats some eerie stuff, wouldnt you say? White Oak Flats Cemetery is a bit of a hidden gem of haunted places in Gatlinburg, TN. January 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. As if that wasn't enough there's an abandoned settlement equiped with all the structural nightmare fuel one could ask for, including two churches, a mill and log houses. Have you heard of any ghost stories about the Great Smoky Mountains and beyond? September 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. She called it the "Cussing Cover" because Basil was wearing it during one of their first fights, where some swearing occurred. November 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Those looking for haunted places in Gatlinburg or the Smokies may need only to drive down to Roaring Fork Motor Trail. In the middle of the night, Trulie Jane awoke to a startling sight: an apparition of Mavis standing at the foot of her bed. To prepare for your next visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we have put together a guide to 4 of the best things to do in Cades Cave! While no one is quite sure which cabin belonged to the Esteps, one may be able to check the remaining homes near the stream and check for burn marks on the cabin floor! Due to her anxiety about stormy weather, Mavis never stayed out in the rain and banished metal beds from her household. Some say they can see shapes if they look through the windows of the church, others report activity late in the night. Though she most often appeared as an old lady, she could be anything she wanted. The region's history is thick with tales passed down from the Cherokee people, early settlers of Cades Cove, and many urban legends about East Tennessee and the surrounding areas. We cant say for sure (thats a question for paranormal investigators), but we do know that there are a few Cades Cove ghost stories that have been told for decades around these parts. Even if you dont see any paranormal activity, seeing these historic buildings at dusk will definitely give you an eerie vibe. When hikers stay on atrail, this is practically never an issue, but for adventurers who seek the most rugged parts of the mountains, this is an ever-present risk. People have reported strange sounds or an eerie feeling of being watched in this area. Backcountry Camping Reservation and permit required Call (865) 436-1297 for information Nestled in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, Cades Cove offers wildlife of every sort as well as a few spectral travelers as well. Yikes! This area is located on the steep south slope of Mt. That's not the only thing about this plantation, though - it's also rumored that something like 70 murders took placeinsideof the house. You never know what encounter you may have around the possible haunted Cades Cove! The story of the Elkmont ghost town isn't especially spooky, but anyone who has walked around it can't deny the particularly creepy vibes in the area. February 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. But there are places in the world and in these mountains where the old ways havent entirely been lost. While we do our best to bring you the most up-to-date information, TheSmokies.com LLC makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of any content contained within. Quite a few people have reported that the churches, graveyards, and other historic structures in Cades Cove are haunted. One of the most popular haunted places in the Smoky Mountains is the Greenbrier Restaurant. Anthony Creek Horse Camp Call (877) 444-6777 or visit https://www.recreation.gov to reserve a site. Drawn by the fertile limestone based soil of Cades Cove, the population reached 700 by 1850, just thirty one years after John and Luraney began their Smokies home. The parking area for the historical Elijah Oliver Place and homestead, is on the left side of Cades Cove Loop Road just past Cooper Road Trail (approximately 4.6 miles from the beginning of the loop). Some diners report seeing a strange young woman atop the pivotal staircase. Another notable creepy encounter is the ability to see a woman's face coming out of the church walls. If youre looking for a thrill and a guaranteed scare, there are some other spooky options in the form of haunted attractions for you in Gatlinburg. Liberty Land is said to be haunted by an old carousel worker, a man who leapt to the rescue when a young child lost their balloon - he forgot one very important step, however: turning off the whirring carousel. Cades Cove was once home to a lively population but is now an isolated valley containing remnants of their structures. November 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. per group (up to 8) Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove Self-Driving Bundle Tours. These gruesome incidents involved exploding boilers and derailed trains with tons of falling logs, so some poor souls must have met ghastly ends. Legend has it that Spearfinger was eventually destroyed when a Chickadee tipped the Cherokee warriors off on her weakness. When visitors come to Cades Cove at dusk and walk around the cemeteries, they have noted seeing orbs floating around! Is the Primitive Baptist Church part of a haunted Cades Cove? Devastated, Lydia hung herself in the rafters of the old building. Therefore, there's plenty to see and explore in this area for history buffs but those who walk around these grounds late in the day might also be in for quite a spooky surprise. The jail was moved stone by stone to its location at 115 Academy Street in Greenville, Tennessee. Interested in receiving our newsletter? Heres What You Should Know, 29 Best Restaurants in Pigeon Forge, Ranked [2023], Great Smoky Mountains National Park Entrance Fees, What You Should Know, Smoky Mountains in March: Events in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge [2023], A Simple Guide to Smoky Mountain Parking Passes, Park it Forward. Remove All: Clears all properties from your Favorites so you may start over. Several pictures on the internet depict orbs in the graveyards, cabins, and other buildings at the historical site. If you know anyone who has hiked this trail at night or stayed at campsites 61-65, ask them if they ever spotted a floating, glowing orb. While there are few specific ghost stories in Cades Cove, there's plenty of spooky activity. Mavis did not dare go out in the rain and banished metal beds or furniture from her home. Others have noted strange noises, eerie sounds that echo through the cove at night. Trulie woke up Basil in a panic, but when he awoke, the woman had disappeared. option to click on the "+ Favorites" for each particular property, which automatically adds the property to your list of Favorites Repeat the above steps to find your ultimate vacation accommodations. When ready, hit the Compare button for a comparison of the 3 selected properties. Nothing makes us want to pack up the camping gear more than a night in the woods with a couple of GHOULS. Now it is a symbol of haunted Cades Cove, living on in legend. Its a 3-story haunted house located in downtown Gatlinburg and has live actors. I first talked to the person behind the counter, and I told them what I saw. She would offer to brush their hair until they fell asleep, then she would stab them with her finger through the back of the neck and withdraw the liver, which she would eat. Me and Tim decided to take a stroll through Cades Cove at midnight. Many guests visit this and several other haunted places in the Smoky Mountains, such as Greenbrier Restaurant, through Gatlinburg ghost tours. Theres no specific information about who the girl might be or why she likes to watch hikers sleep in the wee morning hours. The event will include horror classics, such as Demons and Return of the Living Dead. She even refused to quilt with her metal needles during storms, in case the lightning felt like creeping up on her inside her home. While this is enough to understand why the Greenbrier Restaurant is haunted, whats even creepier is days after she died, Lydias fiance was found mangled by what locals assumed was a mountain lion. Dign Zone construction theme park coming soon to Sevierville TN, Dollywood resort: What we know so far about Dollys expansion plans, Who Has the Best Steak in Gatlinburg? It flows better, I assume, in the original Cherokee. June 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. S -, Copyright 2013-2023, Cabins USA LLC, Pigeon Forge, TN. It's no wonder that several visitors hold this site to be a haunt for Smoky Mountain ghosts. Pixabay Within thirty years by 1850, the valley had reached a population of 685 residents. After you've signed all reservation documents and paid the balance in full, you'll receive an email with your active stay information 8 hours prior to arrival, which includes the following: Note: If the reservation documents have not been signed electronically and/or the balance has not been paid three days prior to arrival via the credit card on file, you must check in at our 2140 Parkway office. That first trip is what ignited a lifelong passion, and it's one that continues to be fueled through pen and paper Or, in this case, a keyboard and a computer screen. The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. Gatlinburg doesnt fall short of haunted cabins, check out our article about The Cabin on Roaring Fork here! Established in 1830, this cemetery boasts the graves of several of Gatlinburg's early settlers as well as several unmarked graves. July 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Anyone know more about that one or anyplace that has a story behind it in the park? A woman named Lydia lived at Greenbrier Lodge in 1939. Unfortunately an environmental issue caused construction of the road to end abruptly. The Elkmont Ghost Town is a particular point of interest for those interested in the spookier side of the park's history since it was officially abandoned after the 1930s, which is quite a few decades later than most of the park's settlements. "Boa msica, rango legal, esconderijo perfeito!" December 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Cades Cove Ghost Stories: The Cussing Cover, Cades Cove History: Wallet of Long Time Resident Elijah Oliver Donated to the Collections Preservation Center, Preserving History: 4 Interesting Historical Structures in Cades Cove, Cades Cove History: Your Ultimate Recommended Reading Guide, Life Among Cades Cove TN Families During the Civil War, 3 Reasons Why Your Family Will Love Visiting Cades Cove, 3 Tips for Planning Your Spring Stay at The Cades Cove Campground. Ignoring his promises to Mavis, he let Trulie pick a quilt to sleep under. Rumor has it that the quilts are still around the Smoky Mountains. Lucy still looks for rides along the highway and can be seen in the woods near where her cabin burned to the ground. The greusome tale was probably told to Cherokee children in order to scare them into behaving, but we still wouldn't recommend going and looking for her in the mountains. Despite Trulies fears, Basil told her it was simply a night terror, and they both returned to sleep. Before it was a popular tourist day attraction of the Great Smoky Mountains, Cades Cove was a place that hundreds of people called their permanent home.