historic montvale final iv 97 2003
TRANSCRIPT
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The first hotel at Montvale was a log cabin built in 1832.By the 1860’s the cabin had been
replaced by the 125-room Seven Gables Hotel known as the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.