Evening star., 1953-06-07
Air Is Clean,
Nights Cool
In Fontunu
By Lucille Boyden


There's a small area in the
southern edge Of the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park
which has perhaps the largest
and most amazing patronage Of
any place that might be called
it's counterpart In the world.
In these mountains Of Western
North Carolina is the largest
unit of one of the most spectacu-
lar and important industries in
America, blessed with climatic
and scenic attractions and the
pufeSt air on earth. Two miles
away is a most unusual vacation
playground inside America, a
resort that appeals to many
types of people. all ages.
These two interesting travel
goals draw an average of mil
lion visitors a year., from every
State in the Nation and many
foreign countries.
Fontana Dam is located IS
miles south of Knoxville, Tenn,
125 miles due west of Asheville,
N. c. This fall, a new highway
will be opened along the south
ern edge of Fontana Lake be-
tween Bryson City and the dam,
shortening the distance from
Asheville by IS miles.
Fontana Dam is the largest in
the Tennessee Valley Authority
chain, largest and highest con-
crete dam east of the Rockies.
Its lake is 30 miles long and 400
feet deep.
Lodge and Cottages
Fontana Village was converted
after construction of the dam
from a housing unit for the
builders into a complete town
for tourists and vacationers, un-
der lease from TWA to Govern
ment Services. Inc. of WASH
ington. 1t has a handsomely
decorated lodge of 56 rooms, and
285 furnished cottages for guests.
All operational service is con-
trolled by two-way radio trans
mission. AS a town. it has every
thing essential to modern living,
the whole of it scattered pictur-
esquely up and down the length
and across the width of a BEAU
tiful mountain cove in the heart
of the wilderness region. It is
encircled by peaks that rise $500
feet above sea level.
Fontana Village last year had
a guest list of more than 10000
visitors. These people not only
traverSed the scenic highways of
this region. along with the more
than 2 million sightseers who
visited the Great Smoky Ma
tional Park, but made the differ
ence between those who went
back home saying that they had
seen it, and those who tarried
long enough to take back with
them the experience of a travel
bargain.
Dromotic Interest
There are many salient rea-
sons for the popularity of the
place. It has industries which
are beauty spots, travel OBJ
jectives within themselves; it is
abundantly blessed with histo-
rical and dramatic interest. A
great many visitors, especially
families, spend their vacations at
Fontana Village and make trips
throughout the area.
In spring and fall the coun-
try is remarkably beautiful, and
in summer, when the midday
temperature rises pleasantly, the
nights are still cool enough to
blanket one down to a peaceful
sleep. There are no disturbing
noises, no mosquitoes. The air
is clean, with a woodsy fragrance
to it.
Good food is served continu-
ously from a wholesome cafe
terra. During the summer sea-
son there is also a main dining
room and a coffee shop. For
guests occupying cottages with
housekeeping facilities, there is
an up-to-date food market. All
cottages are equipped with elec-
trio refrigeratorS.
There is no end to the things
one may do for pleasure and
entertainment at Fontana VIII
lage.
There are games Of all types
indoor and outdoor shuttle
board. tennis. miniature golf,
archery. horseshoe pitching,
ping-pong, softball and card
games. There are movies, COM
munity sings, concerts, stage and
floor shows. and round of steak
and fish fries, picnic suppers and
camp fire meetings.
Riding and Hiking
Hiking trips go on continu-
ously, with expeditions over
wilderness trails. They are led
by q Great Smoky Mountains
Park naturalist, who gives illus