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WCU - Great Smoky Mountains - A Park for America

Laura Thornborough

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  • A native of Tennessee, Laura Thornborough (born Laura Thornburgh, 1885-1973) was the author of several books; her most well-known work is “The Great Smoky Mountains.” In this 1937 publication, Thornborough describes the mountains and surrounding communities and provides a first-hand history of the park’s formation. James E. (Jim) Thompson (1880-1976) was a noted photographer, hiker, and outdoor enthusiast who played a major role in promoting a national park in the Southern Appalachians. In the 1920s, up to the park’s dedication in 1940, Thompson was often referred to as the “Official Photographer of the Great Smokies National Park Movement.” His work was reproduced in brochures and reports promoting the idea of a park and many of his photographs depict the landscape before park construction.

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Great Smoky Mountains - A Park for America

This digital collection was created to contribute to the public's understanding of the forces and ideas that led to the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1934. The most vi...

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