Cades Cove: A Personal History

Author Judge William Wayne Oliver is the perfect person to tell the story of Cades Cove. He is a direct descendant of John and Lucretia Oliver, the first permanent settlers in the cove, and the son of John W. Oliver and Nancy Whitehead Oliver, two prominent citizens of Cades Cove in the early 1900s. Judge Oliver spent his childhood in Cades Cove and knew just about everyone who lived in the valley. He was present when the cove thrived as an agricultural and small-scale industrial community and bore witness to the creation of the national park and the exodus of its residents. Not only is the author a well-educated and articulate spokesperson for Cades Cove's history, he is also known for his fairness, strong work ethic, and gentle sense of humor and delight.