You've seen the mountains, hiked the trails, and marveled at the plentiful wildlife in the most visited national park in the eastern United States. Now read the stories from the history of the Great Smoky Mountains region. From the first friendly encounter between a British explorer and the Cherokee in 1761 to Dolly Parton's founding of Dollywood and the Dollywood Foundation, It Happened in the Great Smokies provides a quick tour through the history of this amazing area. Twenty-nine stories give a behind-the-scenes look at some of the events that took place in these mountains. You'll read about the only white man in history, with no Indian heritage, who became chief of the Cherokee; learn how a crew of workers was paid $25 a month each to laboriously build a hiking trail up Mount LeConte; and laugh at the stories of shivarees, play parties, and elderly women who fought the government. In an easy-to-read style that's entertaining and informative, author Michael Bradley recounts some of the most captivating moments from the Great Smoky Mountains' history.