This Tiny, Isolated Tennessee Town Is One Of The Last Of Its Kind

The history of Tennessee is hidden away in its small towns and remote enclaves, some in the mountains to the east and others located on the shining Mississippi River to the west. The Cumberland Plateau boasts its own number of significant spaces, and you’ll find folks traveling from all over to experience the Volunteer State’s deep history. The town of Cosby, Tennessee, is on the eastern edge of the state, and though it is tiny, it has its own mighty story. Cosby is where illegal alcohol was once distilled and where hikers have the opportunity to capitalize on the town’s remote beauty and wonderful location, and it remains a true Tennessee gem to this day. Let’s take a closer look at our journey to this delightful small town in Tennessee.

Heidi Simonian / Google Reviews

The town of Cosby, Tennessee is snugly situated right on the Tennessee-North Carolina border in the Great Smoky Mountains. Small and just remote enough to provide unbroken views of the mountainous region, the town boasts a tidy local history unbeknownst to visitors and even longtime Tennesseans.

Brian Stansberry via Wikipedia

Roughly 2 miles from Cosby’s Creek, you’ll find a marker that gives a nod to the historic Whitson’s Fort. The Whitson family settled in the area in the 1700s and eventually William, one of the family’s descendants, built a fort on the Big Pigeon River. It was a main outpost on the Tennessee frontier that linked Native American territory to the newest residents of the state.

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Brian Stansberry via Wikipedia

Cosby, TN may be known for its spectacular beauty, but its reputation as the "Moonshine Capital of the World" is also worth noting. During Prohibition, many folks in the area began to clamor for mountain moonshine. The illegally distilled liquor was made in Cosby and sold to residents during the Prohibition period and beyond. Cosby moonshine was notably popular with the laborers who relocated to work the infamous Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge.

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Andy Mccarter / Google Reviews

You’ll find plenty of sweet homes tucked away in the town, high on a ridge with stunning views. Make sure you check out Cosby’s creekside cabins and peaceful homes for your next Tennessee getaway.

Brian Stansberry via Wikipedia

There is a small handful of hotels and cabins for rent in the greater Cosby area, as well as a few wonderful, locally-owned restaurants. Though tourists are warmly welcomed, Cosby has managed to maintain its small, mountain town atmosphere. There’s something so cozy about a little village that sits on an idyllic swathe of land in the mountains.

Brian Stansberry via Wikipedia

No one knows how the town of Cosby got its name. Some believe it was named after Dr. James Cozby, a friend of John Sevier and veteran of the Revolutionary War, and others think Jonathan Cosby, a trapper and distiller, loaned his name to the developing area.

Stuart Simmons / Google Reviews

Historic and lightly remote, there is no other village like Cosby in Tennessee. It’s a protected little space, the kind of area that you may just want to make your home. Only 807 people claimed Cosby as their home in the 2020 census, making the Tennessee enclave a truly tiny town.

One of our favorite things to do in Cosby, TN is enjoy the many wonderful hiking trails in this gorgeous mountain area. Give AllTrails+ a try to get the latest maps and trail info.

The town of Cosby, Tennessee, may not be well known throughout the volunteer state, and beyond, but it exudes rural charm that’s unlike any other town. Have you visited? Would you live in this bucolic gem, tucked away in the Tennessee countryside?

Not only is Cosby, TN at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, but we discovered you can also drive from the town right into the park. The east section of Foothills Parkway is a scenic bypass overlooking the majestic mountains of our beloved national park. Be sure to pack a good pair of binoculars! The east section is smaller than its western counterpart but well worth seeing when you’re looking for Costy, TN things to do. The drive is beautiful and one day they hope to connect both the east and west sides.

The Scenic Drive In Tennessee That Will Take You On An Unforgettable Adventure