I'm not sure if the locals would make the distinction between "new" and "old" Sevierville, but during my recent trip to the region, I could definitely see there was so much new that one wonders if the old and the historic will survive. Since I was staying in Gatlinburg, I started out fairly early to drive to the courthouse square in Sevierville. I really wanted to visit their history museum, but found it closed - on Saturday, no less. The courthouse is a grand building that more than competes with the newer, flashier construction on the Parkway. After reading about the courthouse's history, I found that even in Sevierville the current courthouse, built in 1894, barely escaped urban renewal in the 1960s:
"In the 1960's, concern was expressed over courthouse overcrowding and its age. Some wanted to tear down the building and construct a modern, contemporary building. Thanks to the efforts of county historian Joe Sharp, the courthouse was preserved by a vote of 13 to 11."Luckily, the courthouse survived and should remain the centerpiece of Sevier County's history. To the communty leaders in Sevier County, I offer a friendly suggestion. As your area grows to meet the demands of a robust tourism industry, you should be as focused on promoting the heritage of the area - not just on the Internet, but in museums, heritage sites and living history villages. I learned a lot this time about the area's history, and it is something that should be shared more vigorously with visitors.
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