Smoky Mountain area native and country music superstar Dolly Parton passed away on August 25, 2026 at the age of 80. You may know her great songs, such as “9 to 5” and “Jolene.” It may surprise you to discover that she was also a fantastic businesswoman. Her work is credited with making Pigeon Forge and the Smokies such a popular tourist destination. Read on to learn more about how she and her most iconic namesake, Dollywood, have impacted Pigeon Forge history:
1. Brought More Tourists to the Area
Pigeon Forge started out as a rural farming community. People would come to the area to attend religious revivals during the 1800s. Tourism significantly increased for the area with the creation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1934. Improvements were made to U.S 441, which meant tourists could better navigate the area. Entrepreneurs came to Pigeon Forge in the 1950s and 60s to build businesses.
The attraction that would become Dollywood originally opened as Rebel Railroad in 1961. It had a coal-fired steam train, blacksmith’s shop, general store, and saloon. Then, a dream made reality for Dolly Parton, Dollywood Theme Park opened its gates on May 3, 1986. The attraction brought in 1.3 million visitors during its first season. Today, about 3 million people visit Dollywood each year!
2. Created Jobs For Locals
Dollywood is a big place and a lot goes into it running smoothly. In fact, the park spans 165 acres and has more than 50 rides and attractions. While Dollywood brought tourists to Pigeon Forge, it helped the locals by creating jobs. People run the restaurants and shops, and do so much more to maintain the park. It helps employment outside the theme park as well, since tourists need places to stay, eat, and explore while in town.
3. Strengthened Smoky Mountain Culture
Dolly Parton was a proud Smoky Mountain area resident who wanted to show others how great her hometown was. She incorporates bits and pieces of Smoky Mountain culture and Pigeon Forge history into Dollywood! For example, visitors can listen to classic country and bluegrass music in some of Dollywood’s spectacular shows. They can also purchase beautiful handmade crafts made by local artisans.
Another piece of history is the gristmill in Dollywood! As a nod to The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge that was built in 1830, Dollywood built a fully operational gristmill in 1982. It was the first in over 100 years! They use the flour to bake the park’s world-famous cinnamon bread. It is served warm with icing for dipping. You can pick up a loaf or two at the Grist Mill Bakery located in the Craftman’s Valley area of the theme park.
Honoring Dolly’s Legacy
During your visit to Dollywood, you can see firsthand how Dolly played a big role in Pigeon Forge history. The Dolly Parton Experience is a museum that takes you through her rich life. Visitors will learn about her humble beginnings in a small cabin with no electricity and her rise to stardom. You can also see many artifacts and pictures along the way!
Most importantly, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has provided over 330 million free books for children across 5 countries, a passion near and dear to her heart. A great way for you to honor her legacy would be to donate to the Imagination Library!
Plan Your Visit to Dollywood
We hope you enjoyed learning more about Pigeon Forge history and Dolly Parton. Ready to plan a visit to Dollywood? Use our helpful Dollywood Crowd Calendar to figure out the right time to go!
