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Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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  • Great Smokies constitute the culmination of the Appakuhian mountain system. There slowly developed a realization that something should be done to preserve the mountain forests. I hen came the suggestion that a national park should be established in the Southern Appalachians. A number of citizens of Western North Carolina visioned this as far back as SO or more years ago. It is believed that the first public suggestion of such a park was made some time during the early 1880's by the Rev. C. D. Smith, of Franklin N. C, who wrote tin article, which was published in a Waynesville, N. < .. newspaper, advocating the establishment of a national park in the Southern highlands. In subsequent vears the idea gained favor among many prominent Western North < arohna citizens. _ Impetus was given to the idea by fudge William R. Day, ol Ohio, who visited Asheville in the" summer of 1899 for a vacation. Dr. Chase V. Ambler, Asheville physician, and George H. Smathers. Asheville attorney, accompanied (udge Uay on a fishing trip in the Toxawav section. Dr Ambler took Judge Day to White Water FaDs. The jurist was so enthralled by the beauty of the falls and the mountains that, while discussing the idea of a national park, he suggested the formation ol an association to promote it. Main looked with favor upon this suggestion and, as a result.';, mass meeting was called for November 22. 1899, in the old Battery I ark Hotel, Asheville. Locke Craig, of Asheville, biter Governor ol North Carolina, was the chief speaker. N. G. Gonzales, ol Columbia, S. ('.. was temporary chairman Committees were named and officers elected.' George S Powell was elected president and Dr. Ambler was chosen secretary- treasurer. I he organization was named the Appalachian National Park Association. The association then launched upon an extensive campaign. A petition, accompanied by a map, was prepared and presented to the Congress, asking that a national park be established. I he petition, written by Charles M. Namee, 78
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