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In the early 1900s, Leonora Whitaker Wood (1892-1989) responded to a minister’s call to work at a mission school in East Tennessee, located in the community of Chapel Hollow. It’s important to note that Leonora served as the real-life inspiration for the character in both the novel and television series ‘Christy’.

From around the area of Barnardsville, North Carolina, she began her journey in 1909, boarding a train in Asheville that wound along the French Broad River, carrying her from the North Carolina mountains to the town of Del Rio, Tennessee. This significant journey into the Appalachian Mountains was fueled by her commitment to teach school children in a remote mountain community. She was unaware of their financial status and living conditions in comparison to the outside world. For Leonora, the stark contrast to Asheville’s standards made it feel like a journey back in time. The story of Christy presents themes of teaching, faith, struggle, community and ultimately, knowledge.

To truly grasp the depth of Leonora’s challenges and the intricacies of the community, one must delve into the novel or watch the series. Taking a trip to the very areas that shaped this extraordinary narrative will make the story come to life, especially at Del Rio. An impressive feat was Leonora’s 7-mile walk to the cove in cold weather.

Catherine Marshall (1914-1983), the daughter of Leonora, was born in Johnson City, Tennessee. Wanting to write about the mountains she found inspiration from her mother’s experiences to do so. Catherine documented many stories and notes as a novelist. Yet, the scattered facts led her to weave in some fiction. In 1967, Catherine authored the best-selling historical fiction novel “Christy,” recounting her mother’s experiences, the children in the cove, and their friends. This poignant narrative sold over 10 million copies and was adapted for prime-time television on CBS in 1994.

Alongside Leonora’s work at the mission and school in Chapel Hollow (Cutter Gap), a real-life minister played a pivotal role. However, it’s crucial to note that the character of the doctor, who was also featured in the novel and tv series “Christy,” was a creation of fiction. In reality, there wasn’t a doctor in Chapel Hollow (Cutter Gap). Whether through reading the novel or watching the TV series, a desire to explore these locations may arise. These maps are provided for that. It’s crucial to recognize that Del Rio is fictionalized as (El Pano), and Chapel Hollow is (Cutter Gap).

Some filming areas, such as Little River and Cades Cove, are not listed. The TV series was primarily filmed in Townsend, Tennessee, with additional filming locations in Tallassee and Clinton. The accuracy of the information in this atlas may be subject to change due to evolving accessibility. GPS coordinates are supplied, ensuring that these locations are forever recorded for history.

• Historic Location: Original Mission
• Del Rio, TN – Chapel Hollow Road
• GPS: 35.90814015964225, -83.09252261478282

• Ebenezer Baptist Church (Relocated Original Church)
• 1005 Ebenezer Way, Del Rio, TN 37727
• GPS: 35.89226849416598, -83.08350462233274

• Original Post Office
• 105 Summer House Hollow Rd, Del Rio, TN 37727
• GPS: 35.92050381949252, -83.02410197295669

• (To the right of Post Office)
• Del Rio, TN
• GPS: 35.92031321415074, -83.02449759878502

• (2nd house left of Post Office / Chapter 2 of Christy)
• 111 Summer House Hollow Rd, Del Rio, TN 37727
• GPS: 35.92085403989937, -83.02362034998532
• Private Residence

• Townsend, TN – Dunn Hollow Road
• GPS: 35.70095237070441, -83.72671922315259
• Only visible during winter due to foliage
• No Trespassing

• Townsend, TN – Dunn Hollow Road
• GPS: 35.701142414238326, -83.72727779319588
• Not Visible
• No Trespassing

• Townsend, TN – Dunn Hollow Road
• GPS: 35.698303, -83.724539
• No Trespassing

• Look Rock – Lower Overlook
• Southwest Parking #6
• Foothills Parkway, Tallassee, TN 37878
• GPS: 35.63071890149938, -83.94128676555941

• Museum of Appalachia
• museumofappalachia.org
• 2819 Andersonville Hwy, Clinton, TN 37716
• GPS: 36.180213626318434, -84.0703074255399