Thursday Trip to Del Rio and the Ebenezer Mission Site

The focus of Thursday was a trip to Del Rio and Ebenezer Mission Site. These are the actual places visited and inhabited by Leonora Whitaker Wood. Leonora was Catherine Marshall's mother - these locations and her experiences teaching at the mission are what formed the core of the character of Christy.

Bright and early on Wednesday morning, expectant attendees gathered at the Townsend School parking lot. The caravan left Townsend and headed down the road winding alongside the Little River through the National Park. Bright rays of sunshine reached down through the trees and sparkled on the churning waters. Farther on we passed through a sleepy Gatlinburg and then entered into rolling countryside.

After this pleasant journey, we arrived at Carver's Applehouse Restaurant where we settled in at tables overlooking the orchards. The expansive view revealed the plethora of apple trees as well as birds - hummingbirds have even been spotted from the restaurant. Amidst the chatter and laughter, Carver's served up a hearty breakfast which included their renowned delicious apple cider and apple fritters with apple butter.

Then we were on our way again heading for Newport, Tennessee [portrayed as "Lyleton" in Christy]. We tried to imagine the streets of downtown in 1912 and the jail where Nathan O'Teale and Bird's-Eye Taylor spent some time.

Continuing on, we followed the bends of the French Broad River and as we passed the West Myers Flag Stop, the mountains of Morgan Gap loomed in the distance to our right. In parade-like fashion the caravan pulled into the parking lot of the modern post office just outside Del Rio. Larry Myers, who lives on the Ebenezer Mission site, was there to greet us with his big ready smile and infectious laughter.

From there, we reassembled at a nearby church and were formally introduced to Larry. It was exciting to have a film crew from a local news show join our tour at this point. Larry welcomed us to Del Rio and explained how Christy (Leonora Wood) arrived by train from Asheville before venturing into the mountains. Although the train depot is no longer standing, a sign commemorates the spot. Del Rio is dominated by train tracks that slice it in two and it was quite easy to visualize the old steam train pulling it at the stop.

Attendees had time to wander about and explore the quiet center of Del Rio and stop by the Christy-related sites. On one side of the tracks is the famous boarding house, now a private home. It is a Victorian-style home surrounded by an ample lawn and decorative plants. On her journey to Ebenezer Mission, Leonora spent her first night in this elegant Victorian-style house. Catherine Marshall incorporated this real event into her novel by envisioning Christy stay at Miss Tatum's, in her upstairs tower-like room with windows overlooking the town.

Next to the boarding house is the store, opened especially for ChristyFest™ attendees. The wooden structure is the proverbial 'real McCoy' - its wide wooden shelves once held food and products, and the strong floorboards creak with the sound of history and age. Larry and other locals remember the shop when it was still open, a few decades ago. Many tried to imagine the shelves lined with supplies, the potbelly stove warming the room, and letters pilin' up something fearful.

For the next stop, the caravan followed Larry back into the mountains. The paved road gave way to gravel, grew narrower, and became steeper. We crossed over the mud hole that today - although still a hazard - is much better maintained. We turned off the main road and worked our way up a curving hill soon arriving at Ebenezer Church. Once there, attendees were able to explore the cemetery and find the graves of the actual people who influenced Catherine Marshall's novel. Opal Myers, Larry's mother, is buried in this small mountainside plot. She was respected for her mission work, as well as aiding Catherine in her research. Flora and Arthur Corn, grandparents of Larry Myers, are also buried in the cemetery.

Attendees then began filtering into Ebenezer Church. The building has a long and distinguished history. Originally located on the Mission Site, it served as classroom and church. Leonora [Christy] would have spent time in this building teaching and worshipping. The building has changed somewhat from its original appearance but still retains the original bell, visible through a crawl space to the steeple.

As all gathered in the pews of the church, Marilyn Mitchem's expressive piano rendition of the Christy theme created a reflective mood. The last strains of the theme resonating in the church, attendees picked up the hymnals and sang a few songs. Reminiscent of old time school days, attendees sang America the Beautiful and Amazing Grace.

Seated once again, Barbara League, author of Letters to Lori, a book about the life of Opal Myers, shared her knowledge of Opal and the mission ladies Opal knew who forever influenced her life. Among those was a young Leonora. Barbara shared anecdotes and gave all a greater understanding of what it was like to live and work in these mountains. Larry also shared memories of his dear mother's dedicated life. Before preparing to go to the mission site, a friend of Larry's sang and played a hymn on his banjo for the attendees.

After a short drive up the rural path, we arrived at the Ebenezer Mission Site. Larry's wife, Karen had two tables full of food waiting for us in their cabin. Soon we were filling our plates and sitting out under the trees at an extra long table composed of several tables lined up end to end. It was a meal of true fellowship, reminding one of the scenes from the Christy episode, The Sweetest Gift. A gentle breeze fanned us while the sun shone down from a sky full of billowy clouds.

Attendees visited with the Myers and were able to explore the Mission Site after that excellent lunch. There were knowledgeable folks spread around the site, delighted to share with attendees what they knew about the Mission. Barbara and Manly League could be found at the Click Cabin. The Clicks were the real-life counterparts of the O'Teale's from Christy. Marilyn Mitchem, who has devoted many years to researching the mission history, stood with her husband Don near the schoolhouse and mission house foundations. Attendees also ventured a little farther than others into the surrounding woods while others enjoyed catching up Larry and Karen. Larry's friend, Jimmy, had a display of his crafts and was happy to visit with us about life in the mountains.

As the afternoon waned, it neared the time to head back to Townsend. Attendees left the site with a greater understanding and appreciation for the real life events that became incorporated into the story of Christy.