Children have always loved to play make believe. It transports them to another place and another time where they can be anybody and do anything. Make believe builds creative minds and encourages active play. In the Tennessee Overhill, children can make believe in authentic historical settings while they enjoy fresh air, sunshine, and open spaces to run and play. They might just learn a little history too. There are places in the Tennessee Overhill where children can make believe that they are a British soldier, a Spanish explorer, or a copper hauler, all in settings that are authentic. These special places are all out of doors, with plenty of room for kids to run and explore while parents lounge in the shade. Each of these places is also perfect for picnicking and some offer swimming. All are free.

Fort Loudoun State Historic Area at Vonore, TN is a reconstructed British fort originally built in 1757.  Authentically reproduced barracks, fort walls, and other structures make it easy for kids to believe they are a British soldier in the land of the Overhill Cherokee. Well informed staff can answer questions about the history of the fort, or you can let the kids’ imaginations make their own history. Children can explore the fort from inside its walls, peek into the soldiers’ barracks or Cherokee winter house, touch the cannons, and look out over the old Cherokee Nation to watch for French invaders. Just outside the fort walls are shady picnic areas and a sandy beach for swimming.

Living history events, called Garrison Weekends, occur throughout the year.  Garrison Weekends allow visitors to step back in time as they watch historical re-enactors go about the daily activities common to the 1750’s life at the fort, such as cooking, sewing, blacksmithing, military drills and cannon practice. The 18th Century Trade Faire is an annual living history event held in September, which includes vendors and performers of all kinds in period costume selling period goods or performing inside the fort, as well as military re-enactments. For specific dates visit the Fort Loudoun Living History & Event Schedule at www.fortloudoun.com or phone the fort at 423-884-6217.

The Unicoi Turnpike Trail is a trade and war path that predates written history. Over time it saw the likes of Spanish explorers, European fur traders, British soldiers, Native Americans and livestock drovers. A 2-mile section of the original trail can be found in the Cherokee National Forest at Coker Creek, TN.

Young explorers will hike through the forest past the spot where John Sevier spent a fitful night hiding from Chickamauga warriors who chased him back into Tennessee from North Carolina. They will see the tombstone marking the place where the Unicoi Turnpike toll gate keeper was killed by bushwhackers during the Civil War. Passing by the site of an old CCC Camp, children can see where young men worked to reclaim the forest during the Great Depression. They will literally walk in the footsteps of the Overhill Cherokee who used the path for both trade and warfare.

The trail, which is managed by the Cherokee National Forest, can be hiked from two directions but starting at Unicoi Gap will allow for an easy downhill hike to the Doc Rogers Fields at Coker Creek. Parking at either Unicoi Gap or the Doc Rogers Fields is free. Pack a lunch and eat on the trail, just like the early Indians and traders did. Free trail guides are available by contacting the Tennessee Overhill at 877-510-5765. The trail’s history can be found online at the “Heritage Trails” section of the Tennessee Overhill website, which is www.tennesseeoverhill.com.  The trail is marked with a blue blaze and is rated easy. To learn more about the history of Coker Creek, stop by the Coker Creek Community Center for souvenirs, books, cold drinks, or good conversation.

A restored section of The Old Copper Road is part of the Ocoee Whitewater Center, near Ducktown, TN, and is open for hiking, biking, or exploring. The Old Copper Road was built in the 1850’s so that copper could be transported from the mines in the Copper Basin to the nearest railroad at Cleveland, TN. The men who transported the ore were called “copper haulers.”  They used mules, oxen, and horses to pull wagons and carts loaded with ore. It took 24 hours to go one way. One copper hauler, George Barnes, claimed he could make the trip faster because he played a fiddle for his mule team. A photograph of Barnes with his mules is displayed at the Ducktown Basin Museum, along with his fiddle.  

Kids visiting the restored Old Copper Road can make believe they are 19th century copper haulers driving wagons pulled by oxen, mules, and horses alongside the rugged bluffs that hug the Ocoee River. The old road looks much the same as it did when George Barnes’ mule team went through. Children can walk or bike on the road past blue holes of water, nature viewing spots, and rock bluffs where you can still see where the road builders placed dynamite to blow down the rock bluffs.

 The Ocoee Whitewater Center is a perfect day out for families. There is a series of wading pools known as the “Blue Holes,” over 40 miles of hiking and biking trails, and nature galore. The center flanks two sides of the Ocoee River Olympic Race Channel with a paved walking and biking trail that passes across the river on a suspension bridge. There are lots of tables and picnic areas, restrooms, and a gift shop. Admission is free, but there is a $3 per car recreational use charge. The history of the Old Copper Road is explained in exhibits that are inside the main building.

For more information on ways to connect youngsters to history and the great outdoors, contact the Tennessee Overhill at 877-510-5765 or www.tennesseeoverhill.com.