The Tipton Place was previously a part of a 640-acre land parcel which was obtained by William “Fighting Billy” Tipton under the Tennessee Land Grant in the 1820’s.
William’s land later covered most of the valley floor of Cades Cove through other land grants and while he never lived inside of the cove, he was the first recorded legal landowner.
William sold his land to his friends and family members including his grandson who built the two-story cabin which can still be seen today. The cabin was built in the 1870’s.
Hamp Tipton’s daughters Lucy and Lizzie lived inside of the cove until they reached adulthood and were schoolteachers.
In 1878, the home was rented to James McCaulley, and he built his own homestead that included a blacksmith shop and a carpentry shop.
In 1895, Hamp Tipton passed away and his estate was sold to Reverend William H. Oliver. The Oliver family remained on the homestead until Cades Cove was purchased by the National Park Service.
Gracie Latrelle 
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