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.

Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection

The Bandstand

In the 19th century guests

were entertained by band

concerts, dances, and musical

entertainment.

Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection

The Third Montvale Springs

HotelWhen 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.

Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection

Healing WatersThe 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 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.

Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection

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

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.