This handbook investigates the human history and cultural development of the Great Smoky Mountains region from indigenous settlement to the formal establishment of the national park. The National Park Service staff utilizes archival records and site-specific data to construct a chronological and structural overview of the area. The text serves as a foundational guide for understanding the transition of the landscape from a populated mountain territory to a protected federal site.

Experts and park visitors recognize this handbook as a reliable, concise resource for contextualizing the historical sites found within the Great Smoky Mountains. The prose is accessible and serves as a standard introductory text for those interested in the cultural heritage of the Appalachian region.