Contact:
Linda Caldwell, 423-263-7232, lcaldwell@tennesseeoverhill.com
Diane West, 423-263-7232, dwest@tennesseeoverhill.com

Slides/prints provided on request

What's New in the Tennessee Overhill?

The Tennessee Overhill is a region of mountains, rivers, towns and crossroads communities in southeastern Tennessee. Named for the Cherokee Overhill towns that lay along the banks of the Little Tennessee, Tellico, Hiwassee and Ocoee Rivers, the Overhill today is made up of the counties of McMinn, Monroe and Polk as well as the southern portion of the Cherokee National Forest. Farming has always held a place of importance in the Tennessee Overhill for generations, and even though farming has changed, its importance has not diminished. Garden patches, hay bales and silos still dot the landscape and folks who live in the Tennessee Overhill still hold a locally grown melon and a slow cured ham in high regard. There are several sites within the Overhill that work to continue this rich tradition.

1. Savannah Oaks Winery - Tour the family owned and run facilities and sample the wine of this new winery located in Delano, including scuppernong grapes and muscadines grown onsite at the Davis family vineyard.
   
   
2. FUN FALL ACTIVITY: Two New Corn Mazes - Visit two corn mazes, each with their own personalities. Mason’s Corn Maze located in Niota is sponsored by Mayfield Diary Farms and is maintained by the Mason family, third generation dairy farmers. Answer dairy questions correctly at the checkpoints and you’ll be sent out on the most direct route out of the maze. MaizeQuest Cherokee Indian Adventure at Guthrie Farm in Riceville. Wander the pathways on the 8-acre corn maze to complete puzzles and games related to the Cherokee way of life. Open Sept.-Oct.
   
   
3. GREAT FALL DRIVE: New interpretive signs along the Cherohala Scenic Byway - This National Scenic Byway connects Tellico Plains, Tennessee to Robbinsville, North Carolina. Crossing high peaks of the southern Appalachian Mountains, this spectacular byway offers some of the best opportunities to view the fall color in the Overhill. The Byway now includes interpretative signs, produced by the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests, that recount the history and significance of the region.
   
   
4. Historic Watchman’s House - Stay in the timeless town of Reliance at the Watchman’s House, built in 1891. This frame cottage was built on the north side of the Hiwassee River for use by the railroad watchman. His main job was to watch for signs of fire on the wooden railroad ride after the coal-fired engines passed over. The Watchman’s House has been meticulously renovated and is now available for overnight rentals and is a part of the rural Historic District of Reliance, a community which serves as a snapshot of farming and community life in a mountain settlement. Hike the John Muir Trail to enjoy a diversity of wildflowers, fish or raft the Hiwassee River.
   
   
5. GREAT FALL DRIVE: AgriCulture in the Tennessee Overhill - This colorful brochure includes a map marked with suggested stops along the way and a brief overview of the farming history of the Tennessee Overhill, a region in southeast Tennessee that got its name from the earliest farmers who worked the land there – the Overhill Cherokee. Here are a few of the sites listed in the brochure, along with #1 and #2 listed above.
   
   
6. Delano Daylilies - Tour seven display beds on four acres of approximately 1,000 different daylily cultivators at this new nursery. Delano Daylilies is a licensed daylily nursery and an official American Hemerocallis Society Display Garden, one out of only 235 in the country.
   
   
7. Stone Cottage Shops and Gardens - Just off the square in Tellico Plain tour the garden, which features perennial and culinary herbs, as well as a celestial garden. Purchase different varieties of potted gardens, perennials and herbs.
   
   
8. The Shops at Morgan Lane - Tour this nursery that offers 15 varieties of basil, specialty and heirloom vegetables and unusual plants as well as the Sleipnir Farm featuring registered Morgan horses.
   
   
9. Tellico Plains Farmers Market - Didn't have the time to put in a garden? Come and get your locally grown, fresh product here. The Farmers Market runs alongside the Tellico Plains Arts and Crafts Market. A local version of "One Stop Shopping." Begins at 1pm and runs until 5pm.
   
   
10. Third Saturday Arts & Crafts Market - A handmade-market, which takes place every third Saturday of the month. See locally made arts and crafts, check out the local sites and listen to music. Lots of unique shops and good eating. Begins at 1pm and runs until dark.
    
    
11. High Adventure Packages - A number of Overhill outfitters and ranches are now offering adventure packages that includes ropes courses, rappelling, hiking, horseback riding, gold panning, corporate team building and more.
    
    
12. New Cabins, Lodges and Bed & Breakfasts - Several new cabins and lodges have opened during the past year and a number of new ones are under construction, including Black Bear Trace Bed & Breakfast. Located convenient to I-75 in Athens, Black Bear Trace is a log home B&B nestled on a ridge top with spectacular mountain views. Be pampered with home cooking in a relaxing atmosphere. Call for more information.
    
    

For additional information contact the Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association

Phone: 423-263-7232
Fax: 423-263-1670
Email: lcaldwell@tennesseeoverhill.com.
Website: www.tennesseeoverhill.com