Smokies families treasure memories before park: After 75 years, the mountain generation hopes visitors will continue to care

They didn't move far, these children of the mountains.

The government took their families' land to make the Great Smoky Mountains National Park 75 years ago. But their love for the place kept them close, even if their new homes had no mountain views.

Those who slid barefoot down Sugarlands' hills, climbed apple trees and jumped across river rocks are elderly now.

Alie Newman Maples, 89, of Gatlinburg and her 91-year-old cousin Cleo Newman of Sevierville are among the mountain generation that link the park's past and present. They left the Smokies as young people but never stopped loving the land.

They want East Tennesseans and Smokies visitors to care about the place when they are gone.

Read more...