Avent Cabin Letterbox LbNA #38078 (ARCHIVED)
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Add Location| Owner: | Adoptable |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | May 24, 2007 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Gatlinburg |
| County: | Sevier |
| State: | Tennessee |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Planted by: | Margaret Buchanan  |
|---|---|
| Found by: | Not yet found! |
| Last found: | N/A |
| Last edited: | May 24, 2007 |
Placed by: Magpie, Peach and Horned Owl
A letterboxing expedition to the Avent Cabin offers not only a beautiful hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but a history lesson as well. One of only two structure left from the pioneer period in Elkmont, Tennessee, the cabin was built around 1845 by the Ownby family. In 1919, Stephen Ownby sold the cabin to Frank and Mayna Avent of Nashville. Mayna Treanor Avent (1865-1959), one of Tennessee’s most noted artists of the early twentieth century, used the cabin as a summer studio and retreat. It is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places.
The image on the Avent Cabin letterbox stamp is a woodblock print done by Avent’s daughter-in-law, Jeanette Avent, around 1937. Avent’s granddaughter, Mayna Avent Nance, also an artist and resident of Tennessee, tends to the cabin regularly and has worked to educate visitors of the historic significance of this 150-year-old cabin in hopes of preserving it for future generations. Please enjoy your stay and be respectful of this exceptional landmark.
To get there, it is best to begin your journey by car. Just before the guardhouse at the entrance to the Elkmont campground in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, turn left at the sign to the Jake’s Creek Trail Road. You will cross a stone bridge over the Little River, as this road begins its gradual climb away from the campground. On your right, you will pass the Appalachian Club cabins of the Elkmont Historic District. These buildings, once a mountain getaway for Knoxville residents seeking refuge from the summer heat, were built in 1914. Continue on to the Jake’s Creek Trail parking area to begin your hike.
About 150 paces further up the hill, you will come to the head of the Jake’s Creek Trail. The road continues to your right; you will take the trail, which forks to the left, just beyond the orange and white gate. From this point, begin counting your paces until you reach the wooden sign marking the Meigs Mountain Trail. (You will pass a similar sign marking the Cucumber Gap Trail.) Staying on Jake’s Creek Trail, continue for the same number of paces. Note the bank on your left here is covered with a patch ofWalking Fern. Look for a path down the slope to your right.
Follow this path down the hill and through the woods (you will cross the original pioneer trail, although this is not very visible).You will soon come to a log bridge crossing Jake’s Creek. On the other side of the bridge, follow the path up through the trees.The Avent Cabin will soon come into view. While you’re there enjoy a picnic, sign the register, read about the history of the cabin, and enjoy the view from the loft window! Remember to secure the letterbox and replace it where you found it, hidden from view.
A letterboxing expedition to the Avent Cabin offers not only a beautiful hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but a history lesson as well. One of only two structure left from the pioneer period in Elkmont, Tennessee, the cabin was built around 1845 by the Ownby family. In 1919, Stephen Ownby sold the cabin to Frank and Mayna Avent of Nashville. Mayna Treanor Avent (1865-1959), one of Tennessee’s most noted artists of the early twentieth century, used the cabin as a summer studio and retreat. It is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places.
The image on the Avent Cabin letterbox stamp is a woodblock print done by Avent’s daughter-in-law, Jeanette Avent, around 1937. Avent’s granddaughter, Mayna Avent Nance, also an artist and resident of Tennessee, tends to the cabin regularly and has worked to educate visitors of the historic significance of this 150-year-old cabin in hopes of preserving it for future generations. Please enjoy your stay and be respectful of this exceptional landmark.
To get there, it is best to begin your journey by car. Just before the guardhouse at the entrance to the Elkmont campground in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, turn left at the sign to the Jake’s Creek Trail Road. You will cross a stone bridge over the Little River, as this road begins its gradual climb away from the campground. On your right, you will pass the Appalachian Club cabins of the Elkmont Historic District. These buildings, once a mountain getaway for Knoxville residents seeking refuge from the summer heat, were built in 1914. Continue on to the Jake’s Creek Trail parking area to begin your hike.
About 150 paces further up the hill, you will come to the head of the Jake’s Creek Trail. The road continues to your right; you will take the trail, which forks to the left, just beyond the orange and white gate. From this point, begin counting your paces until you reach the wooden sign marking the Meigs Mountain Trail. (You will pass a similar sign marking the Cucumber Gap Trail.) Staying on Jake’s Creek Trail, continue for the same number of paces. Note the bank on your left here is covered with a patch ofWalking Fern. Look for a path down the slope to your right.
Follow this path down the hill and through the woods (you will cross the original pioneer trail, although this is not very visible).You will soon come to a log bridge crossing Jake’s Creek. On the other side of the bridge, follow the path up through the trees.The Avent Cabin will soon come into view. While you’re there enjoy a picnic, sign the register, read about the history of the cabin, and enjoy the view from the loft window! Remember to secure the letterbox and replace it where you found it, hidden from view.