The Great Smoky Mountains National Park: A Journey Through History and Nature
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. Located in the Appalachian Mountains along the Tennessee and North Carolina state border, this national park is known for its breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural history. One of the most notable features of the park is the Rockefeller Monument, also known as the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial. The Rockefeller Monument is a massive two-tiered stone structure located at Newfound Gap along the North Carolina and Tennessee state border. The walls and platforms are constructed of stone masonry and feature a curving stairway leading to the viewing area. The monument was completed in September 1939 and was the site of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s dedication of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in September 1940. A plaque celebrating the park’s 50th anniversary was added in 1984, and the park was rededicated in 2009 for its 75th anniversary. The monument offers