Wonderland Hotel
| Company type | Private club hotel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality, Tourism |
| Founded | 1911 |
| Founder | Charles B. Carter |
| Defunct | 1992 |
| Fate | Destroyed by fire in 2016 |
| Headquarters | Elkmont , United States |
Area served | Elkmont and Great Smoky Mountains National Park area |
| Products | Hotel accommodation, dining |
The Wonderland Hotel, founded in 1911 in Elkmont, Sevier County, Tennessee, was developed by the Wonderland Club Company. In 2005, the National Park Service undertook a partial dismantling and preservation of the property. Ultimately, it was destroyed by fire in early 2016.
History
In 1909, the Little River Railroad, which owned vast tracts of land, constructed a logging railroad connecting Walland, Tennessee to the company town of Elkmont. This line linked with the Southern Railway, enabling the promotion of Elkmont as a prime location for hunting and fishing. Visitors traveled via a two-hour train journey from Knoxville until passenger service ceased in the mid-1920s. As logging activities waned, Little River Railroad Company President Col. W.B. Townsend recognized the area's potential for tourism. In 1911, he granted Charles B. Carter a parcel of cutover land with a stipulation to complete construction within a set timeframe. Carter then established the Wonderland Club Company and opened the Wonderland Hotel on June 11, 1912, which operated for seven years.
The Wonderland Club became a favored retreat for wealthy guests who later formed the Appalachian Club, acquiring over between Gatlinburg and Cades Cove in what is now Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These members constructed cabins and a clubhouse, frequently traveling to Elkmont via the Little River Railroad during summer months. As interest increased, an additional Association was created in 1919 by individuals excluded from the Appalachian Club; this group purchased the Wonderland Hotel and adjacent buildings, renaming it The Wonderland Club Hotel. This private association restricted hotel access exclusively to its members. In 1920, an annex was added to enhance privacy, with certain rooms privately owned but available for rent when not in use.
In 1923, both clubs played a key role in founding the Great Smoky Mountains Conservation Association, led by Colonel David Chapman, which championed the establishment of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On May 22, 1926, President Calvin Coolidge signed legislation authorizing federal park administration, contingent upon land donations from Tennessee and North Carolina totaling . The clubs maintained their Elkmont concessions through $1-per-year leases authorized by Congress, while the Park Service provided necessary infrastructure and services.
Following the end of logging operations and declining passenger demand, railroad tracks were removed in late 1925. The clubs replaced the rail line with a rudimentary road along its former path—now part of TN 73 from Townsend to Elkmont—known today as Little River Road.
In 1952, members of the Appalachian Club converted their lifetime leases into renewable twenty-year agreements. When these leases expired in 1972, Wonderland Club members joined forces with them to create the Elkmont Preservation Association. This new entity secured a twenty-year lease permitting continued operation or leasing of the Wonderland Hotel to third parties.
The lease for the Wonderland Hotel concluded in 1992, leading to its closure on November 15 of that year. A fire partially damaged the hotel in 1995; remaining structures collapsed by 2005. The National Park Service commissioned Moran Construction to carefully dismantle the site while preserving significant artifacts now archived at DOE’s facility in Oak Ridge. Keys and records had been archived previously. In May 2016, the annex was severely damaged by fire under investigation.
In 2006, the Elkmont area including the Wonderland Hotel was designated as one of the "11 Most Endangered Places" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Main Building
Constructed from locally sourced chestnut lumber, the Wonderland Hotel was a two-level wooden structure. Access to the hotel began at the Little River Railroad tracks, where stairs led upward to the hilltop location, with river stones embedded in the steps that spelled out "Wonderland."
Guest Rooms
The establishment featured 26 distinctive guest rooms, the majority of which included private bathrooms equipped with vintage claw-foot bathtubs.
The Porch
Encircling the building, the porch offered picturesque views of Blanket Mountain and accommodated swings and rocking chairs. In the absence of in-room telephones, radios, or televisions, visitors frequently spent their evenings engaging in conversation either on the porch or within the lobby area. Raccoons were often seen at night, interacting with guests.
The Lobby
At the heart of the lobby stood a substantial double-sided brick fireplace, surrounded by cozy seating and tables designed for games or letter writing. A large bulletin board invited guests to share photographs taken during their stay. During peak seasons, the neighboring ballroom hosted events such as sing-alongs and square dances.
The Dining Room
Celebrated for its homemade cuisine, the dining room featured a fireplace framed by a split-log mantel and country-themed decorations including ruffled curtains and checkerboard tablecloths. Meals were initially included with room rentals and were available daily, weekly, monthly, or seasonally at reasonable prices. The menu frequently highlighted wild game from local sources and freshly caught river fish, contributing to the hotel's culinary reputation.