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CAMPERS BRINGING NEW HOPE
Volume 25, No. 3, Section A
FREE
By Mary Witort
September 27, 2024, was a significant day for residents of Eastern TN due to the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Helene. In response, many individuals from the Volunteer State (and other U.S. locations) rose up and responded with care, concern, labor, supplies, and CAMPERS! Yes, campers. Originally conceived and initiated by Ben and Connie Yoder of Knoxville, in partnership with Patriot Church of Lenoir City, a project named “Tents To Campers” was born. This non-profit initiative collects donations to find, purchase, move, repair, clean, stock, deliver, and set-up campers for families affected by Hurricane Helene. Additionally, training and support is provided to the new owners, showing them how to use and maintain their camper. Each week campers are
Before
March 2025
A Strong Pioneer Woman
H
By Bo Carey
istoric records tell us that between 17951810, a young couple built a large log cabin on the north bank of the Tennessee River opposite modern day Loudon. John Carmichael wed Margaret Gardenhire, daughter of Revolutionary War soldier Jacob Gardenhire. They completed the cabin and became parents to eight children. By 1840 John had passed away and the six older children had either moved away or died young. This left Margaret Carmichael with her two youngest boys to raise and no meaningful income to support them. Bo Giving A History Tour With such a large 2-story home, empty rooms were her only tangible assets. Travelers crossing the river via Blair’s Ferry passed her cabin first on the way to Knoxville. The log building was a convenient place to stop after a long day riding by carriage or horseback from the south. Margaret began operating a stagecoach inn, with the help of sons Daniel and James. By 1850, the area was booming as a river and railroad center, and that meant the Carmichael Inn was in a pretty good location to host guests. It didn’t hurt that James’ and Dan’s Blair cousins operated the ferry where they could send weary passengers for a safe night’s rest. Margaret cooked meals for both stagecoach guests and family in the big fireplace at the center of the building, separating the two large downstairs rooms. A small 10-inch window was built into the front wall. Family records tell us Margaret would leave a candle burning in that window if she had beds available at the Inn, so travelers would know if they could stop and rest. That aperture exists today above the main banquet table for diners’ reminder of the old custom.
During
Photo credit: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 3.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
After
delivered to NE Tennessee. To date, over 30 campers have been delivered to families who have requested a camper from the Tents to Campers project. On February 1, 2025, a fundraiser was held at the Tellico Village Yacht Club to support East TN residents impacted by the Hurricane. A sold-out guest list enjoyed the exceptional musical talents of Casey James (American Idol finalist), who donated his performance, and comedian Shawn Farash. A delightful evening was had by all. Together, we can help our fellow brothers, sisters, and their children rebuild their lives. If you want more information or would like to volunteer with this project, please send an email explaining your area of interest to: TentsToCampersTN@Yahoo.com. If you would like to donate to the Tents to Campers project, please go online to: www.PatriotChurch.US/Giving. Click on the red colored “Give Now” box, select the “Hurricane Relief” option from the dropdown menu. Information is also provided for people preferring to mail a donation. 100% of all donations are provided to the Tents to Campers projects. No additional fees or charges are made or taken. Campers, supplies, and money are not the only things that people have donated! A sweet lady in Nashville recently donated a beautiful older Jeep Cherokee ! Mike Miller and David Jones made the trip to Nashville to pick it up and brought it Continued on page 4A ...
The Carmichael Inn today.
With the onset of the Civil War, Carmichael Inn became far less significant. By then Dan and Jim had married and enlisted to fight in the war. After the war the Carmichaels took up farming a mile or two up the river and continued doing so for almost 100 years. The old cabin was rented to families until the 1990’s when it was scheduled to be torn down. Betty Greer Carey could not witness such a sad end to her ancestors’ homeplace and inn, so she purchased the aging structure. She then hired a professional team to take it down and reassemble it log by log across the river in downtown Loudon. She was my mother, who inspired me to cherish local history and appreciate our most venerable landmarks. Margaret Carmichael was my great, great, great grandmother. Today the Carmichael Inn still welcomes guests to stay a while and rest, while enjoying hot, tasty meals served in both the cabin and the adjacent tavern. Tammy Bivens is the strong enterprising woman who owns and runs the place. Like Margaret Carmichael, she wears lots of hats - server, host, cook and more, beginning with breakfast and sometimes saying farewell to the last guest long after dark. After 230 years, the old log walls have soaked up a lot of tales and sights from bygone days. Bo Carey is a 6th generation Loudon County resident with a passion for local history. He is the owner of Greer’s Home Furnishings in Historic Loudon and is available for lectures or programs for any area group or civic club. Call (865) 659-2300 | bocarey95@gmail.com | office 865-458-2046
SEE BO’S HISTORY TOURS AD ON PAGE 6A
r See ou article e on pag 15A