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45-602: The Cathedrals' bass vocalist, George Younce witnessed Haase's performance many times and marked his fast growth as a vocalist and communicator. In April 1990, Younce and co-founder Glen Payne invited him to join the Cathedrals as their tenor. After the Cathedral Quartet retired in 1999, Haase embarked upon a solo career for a few years. In addition to his solo concerts, he performed from 2001 through 2003 with Jake Hess , Wesley Pritchard , and George Younce in

90-589: A City Manager-Commission form of government, in which a city manager, commission, and mayor work together to manage the city. As of 2018, the mayor is David Wear, and the City Manager is Earlene M. Teaster. The city government has 181 miles (290 km) of water main piping, hundreds of fire hydrants, 20 water tanks, 19 pump stations, 86 miles (138 km) of publicly maintained streets and roads, 89 miles (143 km) of sanitary sewers, and approximately 234 vehicles and 272 pieces of equipment. Pigeon Forge

135-615: A common living room at the other. As his family grew, Shields constructed separate houses for his children, one of which was purchased by Horatio Butler in 1797 and remained with his descendants until it was torn down in 1994. Although the Shields Fort was too far from the main Cherokee trails to ever experience a serious assault, the Wear Fort straddled Indian Gap Trail, making it a target for small bands of Cherokee warriors. After

180-423: A major role in the early history of Pigeon Forge. In the early 19th century, circuit riders preached in the valley, creating a large Methodist following that remains to the present day. On October 20, 1808, Bishop Francis Asbury delivered a sermon at what is now Shiloh Memorial Cemetery in the northern half of Pigeon Forge, where a crude log church was erected. The first "tourists" to visit Pigeon Forge came for

225-467: A male householder with no wife present, and 33.8% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals living alone, and 9.4% of those living alone were 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58, and the average family size was 2.99. The population consisted of 23.8% of individuals under the age of 20, 8.1% from 20 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

270-434: A narrow gorge cut by the river between Cove Mountain and Shields Mountain acts as the city's boundary with Gatlinburg. Pigeon Forge has a humid subtropical climate ( Köppen climate classification : Cfa) with cool winters and hot summers. Precipitation is heavy year round, peaking during the months of May–July, with October being the driest month, having only 2.67 inches (68 mm) of average annual precipitation. As of

315-714: A safe stopover for early pioneers in the Sevier County area. Wear later served as a member of the committee that drafted Tennessee's state constitution . In 1785, Cherokee signed the Treaty of Dumplin Creek, ceding much of what is now Sevier County to the United States. Among the first to take advantage of this was Robert Shields (1740–1802), who received a survey for a tract of land in the Pigeon Forge area from

360-697: A stop at a mock frontier mountain town, complete with blacksmith shop, general store, and saloon. By 1964, interest in the Civil War Centennial was beginning to die down, so the Robbins brothers decided to rename the railroad Goldrush Junction. The attraction was reworked with a "Wild West" theme replacing the Civil War theme, in a similar fashion to the Robbins' other tourist train ride in North Carolina, Tweetsie Railroad . Goldrush Junction

405-542: A string of fords along the Little Pigeon. When Great Smoky Mountains National Park opened in 1934, the Tennessee Valley Authority reported no tourism-oriented businesses in Pigeon Forge. By the 1950s, improvements to US-441 led to the establishment of a few campgrounds and lodges, but they did not generate major revenue. During this period, however, two factors in nearby Gatlinburg led to

450-465: A target. In 1961, shortly after Pigeon Forge officially incorporated, North Carolina brothers Grover and Harry Robbins opened Rebel Railroad in the town's Middle Creek area. The railroad simulated a ride on a Confederate steam train that was under attack by Union soldiers during the Civil War, playing upon the centennial anniversary of the war. After the Union assault was beaten back, the railroad came to

495-520: A theme park on the slopes of Pine Mountain in the city's south section. In 1985, the Herschends approached entertainer Dolly Parton (who was born in nearby Sevierville) with a proposal for a partnership in the promotion and operation of Silver Dollar City. After lengthy negotiations, Parton became a majority partner in the enterprise, and Silver Dollar City was renamed Dollywood to launch a major marketing campaign. Magic World folded in 1994. Although

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540-513: Is Sevierville , just a few miles from Pigeon Forge. Pigeon Forge has various entertainment opportunities for car and truck enthusiasts. The calendar of car and truck show events varies each year and has included: The Pigeon Forge Parks and Recreation Department manages the Pigeon Forks Community Center along with 134 acres (54 ha) of park land and approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) of greenways. Pigeon Forge has

585-788: Is a mountain resort city in Sevier County, Tennessee , United States. As of the 2020 census , the city had a total population of 6,343. Situated just 5 miles (8 km) north of Great Smoky Mountains National Park , Pigeon Forge is a tourist destination that caters primarily to Southern culture and country music fans. The city's attractions include Dollywood and Dollywood's Splash Country , WonderWorks , Alcatraz East Crime Museum , Dolly Parton's Stampede , as well as numerous gift shops, outlet malls, amusement rides, and musical theaters. The name "Pigeon Forge" comes from an iron forge built by Isaac Love (1783–1854) some time around 1820. The name of this forge referred to its location along

630-443: Is served by a mass transit system of buses that are referred to as "Fun Time Trolleys" due to their physical resemblance to early 20th-century trolleys . The system operates more than 40 vehicles and has more than 200 stops throughout Pigeon Forge as well as in neighboring Gatlinburg and Sevierville. All the trolleys are equipped with lifts for mobility aids and wheelchairs. U.S. Route 441 , known as " The Parkway ", runs through

675-421: The 2020 United States census , there were 6,343 people, 2,346 households, and 1,712 families residing in the city. As of the 2010 census , Pigeon Forge had 5,875 people, 2,238 households, and 1,482 families residing in the city. The population density was 506.5 inhabitants per square mile (195.6/km ). There were 5,187 housing units at an average density of 447.2 per square mile (172.7/km ). The racial makeup of

720-607: The Cleveland Browns ) purchased Goldrush Junction. In 1976, Modell sold it to the Herschend Brothers of Branson, Missouri . The Herschends renamed the park Silver Dollar City after their successful theme park in Branson. The Ozark mountain theme of the Branson location was easily reapplied as an Appalachian theme in Pigeon Forge, and the park's attendance began to climb. In 1982, hoping to capitalize on

765-694: The Old Friends Quartet . After the Old Friends Quartet disbanded due to the ill health of Younce and Hess, Haase founded the Signature Sound Quartet, Inc. The group was rebranded by their record label, Gaither Music, to "Ernie Haase and Signature Sound", to take advantage of the platform of the Cathedral Quartet and Haase's popularity as their final tenor. The group received their third "Best Roots Gospel Album" Grammy nomination for Something Beautiful , an homage to

810-540: The Watauga Land Office in 1786. Shields, who was also a veteran of the Revolution, established a small fort along Middle Creek near what is now Dollywood. Shields' son later wrote that the fort was 100 feet (30 m) long and 16 feet (4.9 m) wide, with 12-foot (3.7 m) walls constructed with "heavy logs." The fort contained living quarters for six families, with a common kitchen at one end and

855-636: The 21st century, adding a separate water park in 2001. In 2016, the area was affected by the 2016 Great Smoky Mountains wildfires . Pigeon Forge is located on the West Fork of the Little Pigeon River . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 11.6 square miles (30.0 km ), all of which is land. The West Fork of the Little Pigeon River flows north from its source high on

900-546: The Bill and Gloria Gaither song of the same name. In May 2023 the group celebrated their 20th anniversary by recording a live album in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Haase married George Younce 's third daughter, Lisa Younce, in 1990 after a brief courtship. This Southern Gospel -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Glen Payne Glen Weldon Payne (October 20, 1926 – October 15, 1999)

945-575: The Cathedral's farewell tour, just five days before his 73rd birthday. Although unable to attend that year, Glen made his final performance at the National Quartet Convention via telephone hook-up from his hospital bed at Vanderbilt Hospital . During this Cathedral's appearance at NQC, Glen talked with George and the audience over the phone and, at George's behest, sang the old hymn I Won't Have To Cross Jordan Alone in one of

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990-604: The Cherokee attacked his fort in 1793, a frustrated Wear led a band of 60 frontiersmen across the northwestern Smokies into the Overhill Cherokee region, where they attacked and destroyed the town of Tallassee (near modern-day Calderwood Dam ), killing at least 15 Cherokees and capturing several others. In 1794, the Cherokee fired on Wear and his two sons just outside Calvin's Blockhouse (near Maryville ), but they both escaped unharmed. Although treaties negotiated at Tellico Blockhouse in 1794 and 1798 brought calm to

1035-541: The Fort Wear site on the town's north side. It was common during this period for the residents of large urban areas to visit mountain springs, the waters of which were believed to have health-restoring qualities. In the early 20th century, Pigeon Forge was an isolated mountain hamlet with no major roads. The nearest railroad station was in Sevierville. Bridges were also rare, with the only major water crossings being

1080-684: The Little Pigeon River, in the vicinity of what is now the Old Mill. The name of the river comes from the flocks of passenger pigeons that frequented its banks at the time of the first Euro-American settlers' arrival. For centuries, the Cherokee used the valley where Pigeon Forge is now located as a hunting ground. A Cherokee footpath known as "Indian Gap Trail" crossed the Great Smokies from North Carolina and passed through

1125-560: The Pigeon Forge valley en route to its junction with Great Indian Warpath in modern Sevierville. (US-441 closely parallels this ancient trail, although it crests the mountains at Newfound Gap rather than Indian Gap). From Sevierville, Great Indian Warpath headed west toward the Overhill Cherokee towns along the Little Tennessee River . Indian Gap Trail brought the first Europeans to the Pigeon Forge area in

1170-573: The city was $ 20,959. About 9.8% of families and 10.6% of the population were living below the poverty line , including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or older. Besides the natural environment of the area, the attractions in Pigeon Forge draw approximately 11 million visitors each year. Attractions include the Dollywood theme park and the Stampede theater, both owned by country music superstar Dolly Parton , whose home town

1215-443: The city was 80.6% White , 1.1% African American , 0.7% Native American , 2.1% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 13.5% from other races , and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race accounted for 18.2% of the population. Of the 2,238 households, 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had

1260-409: The commercial boom in Pigeon Forge vastly increased the town's revenue, it had several undesirable effects. As land value increased, many farmers could no longer afford the accompanying high property taxes and were forced to sell their land. The high cost of living in Pigeon Forge is difficult to offset with the low wage jobs that often accompany the tourist industry. Dollywood continued expansion into

1305-512: The early 18th century. Along with hunters and trappers from North Carolina, traders from Virginia passed through the valley before 1750. Some time after 1783, Colonel Samuel Wear became one of the first permanent white settlers in the Pigeon Forge area. A veteran of the American Revolution , Wear erected a stockade near the confluence of Walden Creek and Little Pigeon River (now Pigeon Forge City Park) in 1792. This "fort" provided

1350-470: The eventual commercial boom Pigeon Forge experienced in the latter half of the 20th century. First, surrounded by high mountain ridges, Gatlinburg had limited land resources. Second, its land resources were largely controlled by a few local families who thwarted attempts by outside businesses to take advantage of the town's prime location. Thus, outside entrepreneurs were forced to look elsewhere. Pigeon Forge, located just north of Gatlinburg along US-441, became

1395-484: The extended revivals that were held in the Middle Creek area on the grounds of what is now Middle Creek Methodist Church as early as 1822. These revivals could last for weeks at a time. In 1810, Revolutionary War veteran Mordecai Lewis obtained a 151-acre (61 ha) land grant along the Little Pigeon River near the heart of what is now Pigeon Forge. In 1817, Lewis' son-in-law, Isaac Love (1783−1854), established

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1440-515: The iron forge for which the city was eventually named. The complex included a bloomery furnace and water-powered trip hammer to smelt and mold ore into iron bars. Love erected the Pigeon Forge Mill in 1830, and on May 29, 1841, Love's son, William, established a post office – which he named "Pigeon Forge" – for the mill and the small community that had developed in its vicinity. Local businessman John Sevier Trotter (1807−1884) purchased

1485-471: The middle of Pigeon Forge en route to Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where it crests at Newfound Gap before descending to Cherokee, North Carolina . The six-lane strip along US-441 contains most of Pigeon Forge's tourist attractions. U.S. Route 321 (known as Wears Valley Road in Pigeon Forge) connects the town with Wears Valley and Townsend to the west. Teaster Lane runs along

1530-540: The mill and furnace in 1849 and subsequently made numerous modifications, including the addition of a sawmill. Although the iron furnace was sold and relocated in the 1880s, the Pigeon Forge Mill – usually called "Old Mill" – still stands and has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places . In the 1870s, a health resort was established in Pigeon Forge at Henderson Springs, adjacent to

1575-562: The most memorable NQC performances of all time. It was the final time Glen would perform publicly with the Cathedrals. Payne was married and had three children and three grandchildren. He is buried in Williamson Memorial Gardens in Franklin, Tennessee. On April 4, 2019, Glen's wife Van Lua died aged 81. On June 27, 2024, Glen's daughter Carla died aged 64 from cancer. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Pigeon Forge

1620-536: The next 35 years, the Cathedrals won numerous Singing News Fan Awards and had several number one hits on the Southern Gospel Charts including Step into The Water , Boundless Love , and He Made a Change . While the quartet saw several different people hold the tenor, baritone and pianist positions, Payne and Younce remained the guiding forces of the quartet until Glen's death in 1999 during the Cathedral's farewell retirement tour. Payne and Younce were

1665-507: The only lead and bass singers the Cathedrals ever had. During the 1970s, the Cathedrals were regulars on Sunday Morning Television appearing on " The Gospel Singing Jubilee " and also appeared in several Billy Graham Crusades. They also appeared on NBC 's " Today " show. During the 1990s, the Cathedrals were regulars on the " Gaither Homecoming " videos and were generally recognized as the top quartet in Southern Gospel music. Glen

1710-611: The publicity generated by the Knoxville World's Fair , Pigeon Forge initiated an aggressive economic plan that centered around theme parks , outlet malls, and live music venues. The first outlet mall, Factory Merchants, opened that same year. By 1987, there were four outlet malls in Pigeon Forge, and by the early 1990s, outlet malls provided 44% of the town's gross revenue. The increasing number of tourist attractions brought competition for Silver Dollar City and its chief competitor in Pigeon Forge, Magic World, which had constructed

1755-473: The region, sporadic fighting between Cherokees and the settlers continued. One notable incident occurred in 1802, when Tavenor Runyan (1787–1802), the son of Isaac Barefoot Runyan (1749–1845) and Margaret Rambo (who had settled near the heart of modern Pigeon Forge), was killed by a Cherokee warrior. The recently elected Governor Archibald Roane was forced to personally intervene to prevent retaliatory strikes. Like many Appalachian communities, religion played

1800-550: The slopes of Mount Collins through Sevier County before linking up with the Middle Fork in Sevierville . Pigeon Forge occupies a narrow valley along this river between Sevierville and Gatlinburg . High ridges surround Pigeon Forge on three sides, with Pine Mountain to the west, Shields Mountain to the east, and Cove Mountain to the south. A bend in the Little Pigeon provides the city's northern border with Sevierville, and

1845-435: Was 37.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101 males. According to 2012–2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, the median income for a household in Pigeon Forge was $ 34,949, and the median income for a family was $ 41,829. Males had a median income of $ 31,933 versus $ 20,838 for females. The per capita income for

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1890-787: Was a Southern gospel vocalist who served for 55 years and was known for being the lead vocalist for The Cathedral Quartet . Payne was a child of the Great Depression . His parents were cotton farmers in Texas. At age 17 in 1944, he joined the Stamps-Baxter Quartet. Payne was also a member of the Lester Stamps Quartet, The Stamps All-Stars, and The Stamps-Ozark Quartet. In 1956, he joined The Weatherford Quartet , which featured Glen, Earl and Lily Fern Weatherford, Armond Morales, and George Younce . Younce

1935-683: Was later replaced by Henry Slaughter . In 1963, Weatherfords members Glen, Bobby Clark , and Danny Koker departed to work for evangelist Rex Humbard at the Cathedral of Tomorrow in Akron, Ohio . Together, they formed the Cathedral Trio. With the addition of bass singer George Younce a year later, the Cathedral Trio became the Cathedral Quartet . The Cathedrals immediately became a sensation with their smooth quartet sound. Over

1980-576: Was much more successful than Rebel Railroad, prompting the Robbinses to buy a log flume amusement ride and erect it on the property in 1967. According to a park tourist brochure from the time, the ride was "brought to Goldrush Junction from the New York World's Fair, where it was one of the most successful attractions." In 1969, after Pigeon Forge issued a zoning plan assigning the entire strip along US-441 for tourism use, Art Modell (owner of

2025-724: Was the willing "target" of many of emcee George's jokes and icebreakers during the quartet's run. George often referred to Glen as "The Old Man". Glen's signature song was We Shall See Jesus . Glen sat as a member of the board of directors of the National Quartet Convention and the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame for many years, being enshrined in the SGMA Hall of Fame at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee itself in 1998. Glen died due to complications from cancer on October 15, 1999, aged 72 during

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