Family Visit - Back to Tellico Plains

Once again this post will be about our activities during the recent visit by Laurie's sister and her husband, Bill.  We wandered the countryside, browsed and shopped here and there...and of course, food was involved!  In this post, we returned to a familiar area, eastern Monroe County along the edge of the Smoky Mountains and near the border with North Carolina. 

If you've followed my blog for any length of time, you might recognize or remember my previous photos and comments about this terrific bakery and luncheon location in Tellico Plains Tennessee.  Tellico Grains was packed when we stopped by but it was early enough that we managed to score some baked goods for dessert later in the day.  We love the breads too but Laurie's current regime has led to limited intake of bread of any sort, which of course leads to stale bread and sometimes...waste.  

I did notice one big change at Tellico Grains Bakery...the red brick is now gray.  It did freshen up the look of the building.  Tellico Grains is located at 105 Depot Street in Tellico Plains.  Website: https://tellico-grains-bakery.com/.

I found this old photo of the building now occupied by Tellico Grains Bakery.  It wasn't dated but that bus has to be at least from the early 1950s.

We still haven't stopped at Trout Mountain Coffee House and Inn.  We just haven't gotten past Tellico Grains Bakery to give this place a try.  Trout Mountain is basically located right across the street from the bakery.  It's a boutique hotel or inn with a coffee shop and some sweets or other special items for patrons.  Address: 100 Scott Street, Tellico Plains Tennessee.  They are on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/p/Trout-Mountain-Coffeehouse-Inn-100057044546507/. 

Once again, we returned to the compact shopping area in the center of Tellico Plains.  Once again our first stop was at Wren Rock Mercantile, which has a nice mix of actual antiques and collectables.  This store is located across the street from Trout Mountain Coffee House and Inn...which is just to the right of the photo shown above.   The building dates back to 1915.

Laurie and I both love browsing through Wren Rock's eclectic mix of mostly old objects, mixed with repurposed and new items.  There are always enough quality antiques and other interesting fun items to hold our attention. 

We've always loved pottery and Wren Rock Mercantile has a nice display of new pottery for sale.  Our problem is that we have so many collectable items in our house, that we really don't have shelf/display space for any new creative pieces.  These items were labeled "Mad About Mud" and the artist's name is Heidi Shell from Coker Creek Tennessee.  This store is located at 700 Veterans Memorial Drive and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WrenRockMercantile/.

So, did you think that I escaped Wren Rock Mercantile without financial damage?  Wrong!  Laurie has been determined to find an old-style hall-tree so she can hang her jackets in the plant room next to the door into the garage.  I do believe that it was a 'nostalgia purchase'.  The photo above shows the antique hall-tree in all it's glory all covered up with coats.  Note: My coats and jackets are still in the front hallway closet.  

Continuing with our shopping/browsing efforts in Tellico Plains, we 'had to' stop by Tellico Goods and Gear, which is at the opposite end of the same block anchored by Wren Rock Mercantile.  This is a big store in a small town but it's been here for a while now.  They must get enough traffic to stay in business from tourists...the hikers, bikers, trout fishermen and tourists that stop in Tellico Plains when visiting the Cherohala Skyway, the Cherokee National Forest, Bald River Falls, local rivers/creeks and nearby campgrounds.  The store also stocks handmade gifts and locally sourced goods.  This establishment is located at 706 Veterans Memorial Drive in Tellico Plains.  Website: https://tellicogoodsandgear.com/. 

I've been unable to determine when this old railway depot was built in the center of Tellico Plains.  However, the Babcock Lumber and Land Company started logging the in the mountains just east of town ca. 1907 and Tellico Plains was incorporated in 1911.  It's a good guess that the depot dates back to at least 1911.  In more recent times the building was occupied by a local farmer's co-op but it currently appears unused.

 

I did find a photo on-line showing the depot back in the day when the rail line hadn't yet been removed.  I'm guessing that the photo is from the early to mid-1970s.

The Babcock Logging Company built this rail line from Athens and Etowah Tennessee through Tellico Plains and on into area in the Smoky Mountains that is now occupied by the Cherokee National Forest.  The line passed over Bald River Falls and extended right into North Carolina.  When the area was clear-cut in the 1930s, Babcock left the area.  Apparently the Louisville and Nashville Railroad operated the line to Tellico Plains until 1978 when it was abandoned.  I found this old photo of one of the company's logging trains on-line.

So, from Tellico Plains we headed on up the Cherohala Skyway (TN Hwy 165) to check out the scenery.  It was a very pleasant day for mid-summer in Tennessee.

Laurie took this photo of her sister Bonnie and Bonnie's husband Bill at one of the overlooks along the Cherohala Skyway.  The Skyway crosses into North Carolina, becoming NC Hwy 143.  In turn NC Hwy 143 intersects US Hwy 129.  Turn left on US Hwy 129 and you'll be on "The Dragon", a twisting and challenging byway that leads back into Tennessee.  That road is very popular with motorcyclists and sport car enthusiasts.

I'll leave you with one of Laurie's photos from an overlook on the Cherohala Skyway.  The Smoky Mountains/Appalachians with the Cherokee and Nantahala National National Forests stretch on as far as the eye can see.  It's hard to believe that most of this are had been clear cut by the 1930s!  

That's all for now.  Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them...

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave