In today’s modern society, it’s difficult to imagine a world without online shopping and big box stores! Just like shopping is important to us, it was also essential to the thousands of people in communities who lived in the Smokies before the creation of the national park in 1934. Along with schools, churches, and gristmills, many communities supported general stores. Here are the top 4 reasons why general stores were an important part of Smoky Mountain history:
1. Source for Necessary Supplies
The general stores, just like the stores we enjoy today, were a source of necessary supplies for daily life. You would find nails, cartridges, cooking utensils, cloth, and bulk foods, as well as luxury items such as tobacco and candies. Since the typical store was a wooden structure with one main room and a stock room, store owners had to find creative ways to display their wares in cramped spaces. Merchandise was displayed on shelves along the wall, stacked on the counter, stored in barrels and boxes on the floor, and even hung on hooks from the ceiling!
2. Gathering Places for Socializing
Another top reason why general stores were an important part of Smoky Mountain history is because they were often a gathering place for socializing. The stores not only allowed people to shop but also catch up on the latest community news and gossip! For example, in 1873, Leason Gregg opened the first general store in the Cades Cove community along the western end of the Smokies. Since the store was located near the gristmill, people could shop and socialize with others as they waited for their corn to be ground at the mill.
3. Efficient Way to Exchange Goods
For most farmers in the early days of the Smokies, travel to and from the nearest town took 2 to 5 days. Therefore, the local general store made exchanging goods much more convenient and efficient for these farmers. While money did change hands in the store, bartering was also a common practice. At Will Messer’s store in Little Cataloochee, he accepted eggs and honey in exchange for coffee, sugar, salt, and other supplies (in 1900, a dozen eggs could be traded for a pound of coffee). Messer also extended credit in his store, sometimes carrying a neighbor’s account for up to 12 months!
4. Often Had Post Offices
General stores were also an important part of Smoky Mountain history because they often had post offices, which made it easier to send away for items that were not made locally. By the 1890s, an amazing variety of merchandise could be ordered from the Montgomery-Ward or Sears & Roebuck catalog and picked up at the post office! After the introduction of Rural Free Delivery in 1896, products could be sent directly to homes via the mail service.
While it’s unfortunate there are no remnants of these general stores, you can still experience a part of Smoky Mountain history by visiting the 80 or so historic buildings preserved in the national park! Learn about the top places to see historic buildings in Smoky Mountain National Park.
