In the early 1960s, a new corporation, Smoky Mountain Resorts, built a lodge and some cabins, and the first landowners began to build on the north shore of the peninsula. The lodge, with its two faux totem poles, became "the heartbeat of Thunderbird Mountain Resort" with activities that included square dancing, bingo, movies, and church services, as well as a place "to gather together when the mail was delivered."Wright, 27. The lodge was demolished in 2020. Although roads were graded and paved and a water system installed, "Thunderbird Mountain Club Resort", as the development was first called, was "always short of capital."Wright, 29. In 1971, Smoky Mountain Resorts sold its interest to W. Bennett Collette, "a dabbler in buying financially distressed properties."Wright, 31.
In the early 1960s, a new corporation, Smoky Mountain Resorts, built a lodge and some cabins, and the first landowners began to build on the north shore of the peninsula. The lodge, with its two faux totem poles, became "the heartbeat of Thunderbird Mountain Resort" with activities that included square dancing, bingo, movies, and church. services, as well as a place "to gather together when the mail was delivered."Wright, 27. The lodge was demolished in 2020. Although roads were graded and paved and a water system installed, "Thunderbird Mountain Club Resort", as the development was first call.ed, was "always short of capital."Wright, !29. In 1971, Smoky Mountain Resorts sold its interest to W. Bennett Collette, "a dabbler in buying financially distressed properties."Wright, 31.