On Aug. 25, it was announced that beloved singer, actress and philanthropist Dolly Parton died at age 80 after a short battle with cancer. Her death left people around her home state of Tennessee, the country and the world shocked and saddened.
It's no secret that Parton lovedher "Tennessee Mountain Home," but where was the star really from?
It is widely believed that Parton's hometown is Pigeon Forge, where her iconic amusement park, Dollywood, is located. Others might think the queen of country music's hometown is Sevierville, where a statue of the "Jolene" songwriter stands in front of the courthouse, but Parton's birthplace is actually in a much smaller, lesser-known town in East Tennessee.
Not far from Sevierville, Parton was born in Locust
Ridge, Tennessee. It was here that Parton's parents raised her and her 11 siblings, where Parton's mother sewed her "Coat of Many Colors."
Where is Locust Ridge?
Parton was born in 1946 in Sevier County, just outside Sevierville. She was the fourth child born to parents Avie Lee and Robert Lee Parton. The home where Parton was raised did not have running water or electricity.
Locust Ridge is nestled northeast of Gatlinburg and southeast of Sevierville, the two closest cities to Parton's rural hometown, according to the Library of Congress. The tiny community is just north of theboundaries of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is remote and secluded. Parton's childhood cabin sits on Locust Ridge Road near Evans Chapel.
Parton's childhood home is still in Locust Ridge today, although entering the property is prohibited. Visitors can still drive close to the two-room, tin-roof cabin to catch a glimpse, according to Visit My Smokies. A replica of the star's home is at Dollywood and is open for guests to view.
The replica in Dollywood is filled with actual pictures of the Parton family, as well as heirlooms and treasures.
"In my Tennessee mountain home, life is as peaceful as a baby's sigh," Parton wrote in her song "My Tennessee Mountain Home," the title track of her 1973 album. The cover art for the album featured a photo of her cherished childhood home.
Parton's parents sold the home, but the "9 to 5" singer bought it back and restored it, according to The Smokies.
Despite spending most of her life in Nashville, Parton's heart never left her roots in Locust Ridge.
"I'm the only person who ever left the Smoky Mountains and took them with her," Parton said in a 2023 Knox News interview. "But seriously, I love these mountains. I'm so proud to be a Tennessee girl, and I'm proud to be a Smoky Mountain girl."
Afton Pratt covers trending news for The Knoxville News Sentinel and Tennessee. She can be reached at ampratt@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Dolly Parton was born in Locust Ridge, where her 'Tennessee Mountain Home' still stands
