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A very important first step has been taken in the return of Camp Montvale which is expected to become available to the public in the summer of 2008.
This past week, Friends of Camp Montvale teamed up with Ruby Tuesday to operate a day camp for a week at the former YMCA camp which closed after the 2006 season.
Friends President Bryan Roberson said that will be the only event held at the camp this year, with the exception of a few weekend offerings. While the camp infrastructure is fine, several facilities, such as the swimming pool, still aren’t completely repaired. Cash and item donations are still needed.
This is a significant bit of good news in a world where it is rare. Only a few months ago, it appeared the YMCA was going to sell the historic site to first offer, likely a developer. As the situation played out, the Friends of Camp Montvale, a non-profit organization was formed, YMCA worked with the Friends and Harmony Property Group in getting this far.
In essence, it is expected Friends of Camp Montvale will eventually be given a long-term lease to operate a camp on the property. Harmony Group, which is developing a residential site atop Chilhowee Mountain, will donate the lease to the Friends. The Harmony Group includes Dr. Otto Slater, president; James Tomiczek and Dr. Tim McConnell.
A YMCA youth camp since 1949, it was a far busier place in the mid-1800s. In those days Hotel Montvale was advertising for guests in London, England, newspapers. Montvale became known as the Saratoga of the South, a high compliment, comparing it favorably with the famous New York resort of the day, Saratoga Springs.
Blount County and Maryville were established in 1795, Sam Houston had taken a dollar from the drum head, enlisting in the army at the town well in 1813. However, prior to 1830 Montvale was an unclaimed virgin wilderness with mineral springs that were regularly patronized by wild animals. Apparently, two men looking for lost cattle discovered and named the Montvale area.
From 1832 to 1850, Daniel D. Foute operated a two-story log hotel at the site. In 1853, Asa Watson of Mississippi replaced the log hotel with a three-story, seven-gabled frame building which was described as the largest and best to be found at any place in all the Southwest. It was 200 feet long with a 100-foot ell. In addition there were 60 cottages. At the height of the season it had 300 to 400 guests.
There were brass bands, dancing and various forms of entertainment. Watson planted numerous non-indigent trees on site.
John Mitchell, a journalist banned from Ireland for advocating independence from Great Britain, was among several who wrote of the wonders of Montvale. Another self-appointed press agent for Montvale was William Gannaway “Parson” Brownlow, a publisher and Tennessee governor. Clingmans Dome, highest peak in the Smokies, is named for Thomas Lanier Clingman, a Lanier relative. Arnold Guyot, the Swiss geologist for whom a Smokies peak is named, was a guest at Montvale in 1869. Montvale was a cultural icon.
In 1857, Sterling Lanier was manager and postmaster. In 1860, a group including Lanier and his sons purchased the hotel. Young Sidney Lanier, his grandson, roamed the paths and rested in the shade of the forest while absorbing the inspiring scenes of the rustic beauty which he afterward wove into his poetry. The setting of his only novel, “Tiger Lilies,” was undoubtedly at Montvale. The noted poet, author and musician, spent his summers between his 15th and 19 years at Montvale Hotel. Not far from the site of Lanier High, now an elementary school, was built and named for him in 1922.
Unhappy with the aftermath of the Civil War, in 1863 the Lanier partnership sold the property and shook the dust of East Tennessee from their feet forever.
In 1896, the hotel burned and the property was sold to Andrew Gamble in 1899 through chancery court. In 1901, Gamble built a smaller hotel a little farther away from the springs. Guests from 12 states were reported.
In 1911, Thomas F. Cooper sold the property to Ludwig Pflanze, the last to operate at hotel at the site. On Nov. 21, 1933, while Pflanze was at a meeting of the board of directors of the Bank of Maryville, he was informed the hotel was burning.
After the hotel burned, the cabins at the site were rented to many local residents during the summer months for the next 15 years.
Readers interested in helping Friends of Camp Montvale, may make tax deductible donations through the Blount County Chamber of Commerce Foundation, 201 South Washington St., Maryville, TN 37804. For more information, call 235-4102.
It is our hope that Camp Montvale will not only be a summer camp for youth but will be another option for public school classes to spend an educational week at this historic site as well as others in the area.