The Henry Whitehead Place

The Henry Whitehead Place is one of Cades Cove’s most remarkable historical monuments, both in terms of its historical significance and its beauty!

Separation and divorce were uncommon in early Cades Cove, but Matilda ‘Aunt Tildy’ Shields’ first husband abandoned her. Matilda and her kid were left homeless, so the community rallied around her and built her a shabby, but much-needed cabin.

Despite the fact that Aunt Tildy’s first marriage did not work out, she fared considerably better the second time around. Matilda met Henry Whitehead, a carpenter who was devoted to his family. Henry promised Matilda the best home in Cades Cove before they married, and he did not disappoint!

The Henry Whitehead Cabin

The Main House

The house looks like a modern frame-built home due to its high-quality woodworking. However, examining the corners reveals a sawn log home with properly planed logs. Sawn log homes were extremely rare in the Smoky Mountains during this time—only two are known to exist.

The sturdy timber walls, four inches thick, provide excellent insulation against the weather. Henry built a real brick chimney using bricks made on site, unlike the typical rubble or stone chimneys of that time.

The Small Cabin

The smaller, roughly constructed hut behind the main house is a tribute to Matilda’s resilience. After her husband left, her brothers and local men quickly built this modest cabin. The rough logs and rubble chimney sheltered Matilda and her son until she remarried Henry Whitehead.

Two Cabins in One

When Henry built the main house, he placed it right in front of the small cabin and connected the two roofs. This created a covered walkway between them. On the same property, you can see a beautiful example of fine craftsmanship and a crude cottage!

Josiah ‘Joe Banty’ Whitehead

Matilda’s son, Josiah ‘Joe Banty,’ became a famous moonshiner during Prohibition, supplying ‘white lightning’ to Cades Cove.

Visiting the Site

This historical landmark is near the antique grist mill. It’s a 15-minute walk or a five-minute drive from the Cades Cove Visitor Center. Turn right on Forge Creek Road (closed November to March) near the visitor center exit. Proceed 0.8 miles to the parking area.

For more information on Cades Cove and its historical sites, visit our historical journey and learn about Cades Cove weather.