25th Anniversary of Dollywood

Dollywood is a big attraction in Tennessee and is celebrating 25 years of greatness.  It is awesome to look back at the history of this amazing 150 acre place and see what has been accomplished over the past years.  Today, Dollywood includes roller coasters, live bands and music, educational festivals, local cuisine, and the great culture of Tennessee living.  This theme park is located in the midst of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, not far from the Great Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg. 

Dollywood initially began back in 1961.  It was created to educate the public of the Civil War by letting tourists ride a train, called the "Rebel Railroad".  There were numerous activities to do including an old time saloon, Civil War reenactments, a blacksmith shop and even a gift store that looked like an old general store.  Later on, the theme of the park changed to the Wild West rather than the Civil War.

In 1970, owner of the Cleveland Browns, Art Modell, bought the area and expanded the entertainment through the park.  He added the first log flume and many smaller and popular rides that would attract the public.  A few years later, in 1976, a guy by the name of Pete Herschend (an already successful theme park owner from Missouri) purchased the park and changed the name to ‘Silver Dollar City, Tennessee'.  He completely renovated the park and created most of what the park includes today.  The park went through numerous changes but it only grew and more and more people were coming to see what was happening.  

In 1986, Dolly Parton bought the theme park and renamed the place as ‘Dollywood'.  Her keen sense of music and talent increased attendance as well.  She brought a new atmosphere to Dollywood and added more attractions.  When the park opened the year of 1986, the attendance was through the roof and has only increased as the years have come and gone.

Today, Dollywood is still thriving with almost 1.5 million visitors annually.  This park has done an excellent job to capture the East Tennessee feel and the culture that has made this area rich.  It is exciting to think of what this park has been through and see how far it has come.  25 years does not seem like a long time and this park has grown exponentially over that time.