We've passed this stone edifice on the main road through Smoky Mountain National Park dozens of times, but never stopped to see what it is. (Click on photo to enlarge.) Saturday, while traveling through the park to visit my brother in Pigeon Forge, we stopped to check it out. It turned out to be the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial, and it is the site where President Franklin Roosevelt officially dedicated the park on September 2, 1940. (See photo below.) Roosevelt spoke from a podium in the center of the lower level terrace to a large crowd who had gathered to witness the event and see the famous and popular president.The location of the site is on Newfound Road (Hwy. 441) at the NC/TN state line. Sometimes it pays to stop and look around. You just might learn something interesting.
2 comments:
I'm so grateful for the parks that FDR made possible for us to enjoy all over the US.
Yes it does pay to stop and learn once in a while.
That's why I love taking random drives and then stopping for all of the memorial, state park, and scenic view markers! There is so much all around us that we miss because were are too busy doing, than living. Nice thought!
Post a Comment