History of Dollywood in Timeline

Dollywood is a popular theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, co-owned by Herschend Family Entertainment and Dolly Parton's Dolly Parton Productions. Situated near the Great Smoky Mountains, it attracts nearly 3 million visitors annually, making it Tennessee's largest ticketed tourist attraction. The park has received numerous international awards for its entertainment offerings and overall guest experience.

June 10, 1961: Park Opening as Rebel Railroad

On June 10, 1961, the park opened as "Rebel Railroad," a tourist attraction featuring a steam train, general store, blacksmith shop, and saloon with a Civil War theme.

May 24, 1964: Park Renamed to Goldrush Junction

On May 24, 1964, the park announced its renaming to "Goldrush Junction" in the Knoxville News Sentinel, switching to a Wild West theme like Tweetsie Railroad.

1970: Art Modell Buys Goldrush Junction

In 1970, Art Modell bought Goldrush Junction. The park maintained the railroad and added an outdoor theater and the Robert F. Thomas Chapel.

1975: Park Renamed to Goldrush

In 1975, the park was renamed "Goldrush".

1976: Herschends Buy Goldrush

In April 1976, Jack and Pete Herschend purchased Goldrush, continuing its operation under the same name for the season.

1977: Park Renamed to Silver Dollar City Tennessee

In 1977, the Herschends renamed Goldrush to "Silver Dollar City Tennessee". Also in 1977, the train ride added two new steam locomotives, the #70 and the #71, plus the remains of engine #72 for spare parts, from the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad.

May 3, 1986: Dollywood Reopens with New Attractions

On May 3, 1986, Silver Dollar City Tennessee reopened as Dollywood, introducing the Rivertown Junction area with Smoky Mountain River Rampage, Back Porch Theater, Aunt Granny's Dixie Fixins' Restaurant, Dolly's Tennessee Mountain Home, and "Rags to Riches: The Dolly Parton Story". "The Butter Churn" was also removed. Park attendance doubled during the first season.

1986: Dollywood Expansion

From 1986 to 2010, Dollywood doubled in size to 150 acres.

1986: Dolly Parton Buys Interest, Park Reopens as Dollywood

In 1986, Dolly Parton bought an interest in Silver Dollar City and the park reopened as "Dollywood."

1987: Daydream Ridge Area Opens

In 1987, the Daydream Ridge area opened, featuring the Mountain Slidewinder water toboggan ride, Mountain Dan's Burger House, Sweet Dreams Candy Shop, The Rainbow Factory, and Critter Creek Playground. Engine #70 was also restored to operation.

1988: Celebrity Theater and New Rides Added

In 1988, the 1,739-seat Celebrity Theater was constructed. Five new children's rides were added to the Fun Country area, including a Zamperla Balloon Race. The Dollywood Foundation was also established to provide books and schools supplies to the children of Sevier County.

1989: Thunder Express and Final Mountain Music Festival

In 1989, Thunder Express, a steel mine train coaster, was built. Also the 1989 season was the last for the National Mountain Music Festival.

1990: Antique Dentzel Carousel and Gaslight Theater Added

In 1990, a 1924 antique Dentzel Carousel was relocated to the park, along with the 600-seat Gaslight Theater. The Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival also premiered in November, extending the park's operating season into December.

1991: Eagle Mountain Sanctuary Added

In 1991, Eagle Mountain Sanctuary was added along with the Wings of America Theater and the 300-seat Valley Theater.

1992: Showstreet Area Added

In 1992, the Showstreet area was added, featuring the Showstreet Palace Theater, The Butterfly Emporium, The Backstage Restaurant, The Spotlight Bakery, Friendship Gardens, and WDLY-FM radio station. The main entrance moved to Showstreet, and annual attendance topped 2 million.

1993: Fun Country Renovated into The Country Fair

In 1993, the Fun Country area was renovated and became The Country Fair, featuring three new rides. Also new at the park was "Sunset Musicfest," a summer music festival.

1994: Gaslight Theater Becomes Heartsong Theater

In 1994, the Gaslight Theater was converted into the Heartsong Theater, named for the multimedia presentation about Dolly Parton's life.

1995: Jukebox Junction Added

In 1995, the Jukebox Junction 1950s themed area was added, featuring Rockin' Roadway miniature car ride, The Pines Theater, Red's Diner, and Cas Walker's Music Store. The Sunset Musicfest also did not return for the 1995 season.

1996: Dollywood Boulevard Area Added

In 1996, the Dollywood Boulevard area was added, including Thunder Road, Silver Screen Café, and Centerstage gift shop.

1997: "U Pick Nick" Children's Show, Flooded Mine Closing

In 1997, the "U Pick Nick" children's show played in Celebrity Theater, the Flooded Mine dark-ride was closed, and Silver Screen Cafe became DJ Platters in the Dollywood Boulevard area.

1998: Daredevil Falls Opens, Thunder Express Closes

In 1998, Daredevil Falls opened, and Thunder Express was closed. The antique carousel was also removed and replaced with a new carousel.

1999: Tennessee Tornado and Southern Gospel Museum Added

In 1999, the Tennessee Tornado opened. Also new was the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame, while the Balloon Race ride was removed.

2000: Daydream Ridge Renovated into Dreamland Forest

In 2000, the Daydream Ridge area was renovated and became Dreamland Forest, a children's mountain-themed interactive play area.

April 2001: Festival of Nations Premieres

In April 2001, the Festival of Nations international music festival premiered. Dolly's Splash Country, a new water park also opened adjacent to Dollywood's parking lot.

2002: Dollywood Boulevard Renovated into Adventures in Imagination

In 2002, Dollywood Boulevard was renovated and became Adventures in Imagination. A new Dolly museum called Chasing Rainbows opened.

2003: KidsFest Premieres, Imagination Station Converted

In 2003, the summer children's festival KidsFest premiered, and Imagination Station was converted into Celebration Hall.

2004: Thunderhead Gap and Thunderhead Roller Coaster Open

In 2004, the new area of the park, Thunderhead Gap, opened with the Thunderhead wooden roller coaster. The construction opened up a new valley for park expansion.

2005: New Rides Added to Country Fair

In 2005, The Country Fair Falls log flume was demolished, and most of the other Country Fair rides were removed to make room for newer rides. The new rides included Dizzy Disk, Amazing Flying Elephants, Lemon Twist, Shooting Star, Sky Rider, VeggieTales Sideshow Spin, Waltzing Swinger, Piggy Parade, Busy Bees, and Lucky Ducky. The National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration was also new.

2006: Timber Tower and Lil' Loggers Landing Open

In 2006, the Timber Tower ride, along with Lil' Loggers Landing, Beaver Creek, Beaver Creek Boat Float, and Lumberjack Lifts, opened in a new area adjacent to Thunderhead. The Barbeque & Bluegrass festival also premiered.

2007: Mystery Mine Opens

The 2007 season included the addition of Mystery Mine, a Gerstlauer Eurofighter coaster with two vertical lifts hills and dark ride elements.

2008: River Battle Opens, Thunder Road Returns

In 2008, River Battle, an interactive water raft ride, was built. "Thunder Road" returned to the motion theater (Imagination Cinema). The Polar Express 4-D Experience was shown in Imagination Cinema during the park's Smoky Mountain Christmas.

2008: Journey to the Center of the Earth: 4-D Adventure Replaces Thunder Road

In 2009, "Thunder Road" was renamed "White Lightning" and then changed to a new attraction, Journey to the Center of the Earth: 4-D Adventure, based on the 2008 film.

2009: New Shows and SkyZip Attraction

In 2009, Dollywood presented two new shows, "Imaginé" by Le Grand Cirque and "Sha-Kon-O-Hey! Land of Blue Smoke". Also in 2009, an upcharge zipline attraction called SkyZip opened at Dollywood.

November 16, 2010: Dollywood Receives Liseberg Applause Award

On November 16, 2010, Dollywood received the Liseberg Applause Award, accepted by Dolly Parton at the IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando.

2010: Parton Explains Dollywood Involvement

In 2010, Dolly Parton stated her motivation for involving herself in the operation, citing her desire to give back to her community.

2010: Adventure Mountain Opens

In 2010, the Adventure Mountain attraction opened in the Wilderness Pass area. Also for the 2010 season, Dollywood brought back "Sha-Kon-O-Hey! Land of Blue Smoke" and changed its logo for the 25th anniversary.

2011: Owens Farm Opens

In 2011, a new area called Owens Farm with a $5.5 million giant swing called Barnstormer replaced Dreamland Forest. The barnyard-themed area included a play area for younger guests. Christmas on Ice, a new ice skating Christmas show, premiered in DP's Celebrity Theater and headlined Smoky Mountain Christmas.