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Walker Sisters Cabin At Great Smoky Mountains National Park Closed

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By Compiled From N... - December 27th, 2021

Structural concerns have led to the temporary closure of the Walker Sisters Cabin at Great Smoky Mountains National Park/NPS file

Time wearing on the Walker Sisters Cabin at Great Smoky Mountains National Park has led to its closure due to structural concerns that are scheduled to be corrected during 2022.

According to park staff, the cabin dates to the 1800s and was occupied by the Walker Sisters until 1964. Park crews are concerned about recent movement around the chimney in the two-story cabin. Noticeable cracks and buckling around the stone masonry need to be repaired and stabilized to prevent further movement. The cabin is now closed to all use. 

The Walker Sisters/NPS

The seven Walker sisters: Front left to right - Margaret, Louisa, and Polly. Back left to right - Hettie, Martha, Nancy, and Caroline. Carolne married and left the area/Photo taken by Jim Shelton in 1909.

Cabin renovations, including roof replacement, are planned for the 2022 field season. The Friends of the Smokies have provided funding for this critical work as part of the Forever Places campaign to protect and preserve the park’s historical resources.

The Walker sisters were the daughters of John and Margaret Walker. The couple had 11 children -- seven girls and four boys. While the boys and one of the sisters left home, the six remaining sisters took over their parents' farm in 1921 and managed the 122-acre spread for more than 40 years, according to the NationaL Park Service. 

The historic farmstead, including additional outbuildings, will remain accessible during the cabin closure. Visitors may reach the area by hiking approximately 1.4 miles along the Little Brier Gap Trail located near the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area.  

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