Fall 1970
Owners of this beautiful Bearview Mountain Chalet, John and Teresa, met at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville near the mountains in the fall of 1970. John was from Nashville, Tennessee, while Teresa came to the campus from her hometown in Greeneville, Tennessee. Together, they attended a church retreat at Walfloy in Gatlinburg. It was then that John was inspired to own his own place in the Great Smoky Mountains some day.
October 2006
After raising four children and two years of searching for the perfect location, John realized his dream with his wife. They purchased Laurel View, the original chalet built on this lot, in October 2006.
The weekend they closed on their new haven chalet property, a high wind event occurred, which is now known as “The Big Blow.” This was the beginning of many renovations on Laurel View. The main support beam was replaced as well as the roof and hurricane hangers were installed to battle future wind events.
Summer 2013
Later in 2013, the water line on the main floor bursted. Over 38,000 gallons of water flooded the lower level which resulted in a major renovation project. To the rescue came John and Teresa’s long-time friends, brothers Micheal and Chris Hart, to completely renovate the property. They, alongside both their wives and four children between the both families, worked tirelessly alongside John, Teresa and their son, William. Despite the hard work, it was a precious time together with still plenty of times spent enjoying Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. By the end, Laurel View ended up with a complete makeover.
Summer 2015
Laurel View received additional renovations to modernize the property. Focusing on the upper floor that hadn’t received as many renovations in 2013. New windows in the family room and kitchen area were installed alongside entire master bedroom makeover.
November 2016
Though the new changes would have a relatively brief life, as came November 28th, 2016, and the devastating Gatlinburg Fire. Laurel View was one of about 2,500 buildings that were destroyed or damaged. The chalet and surrounding foliage was completely burned to ash, only leaving a few support beams and an old foundation covered in soot.
Embracing the rallying cry of the Smoky’s Strong movement, John and Teresa decided to rebuild bigger and better than before. Which would prove difficult, as red tape held the property in limbo for two years before they could get started. Again Micheal returned to bring his contractor expertise. He and John designed the floor plan in Brentwood, Tennessee, while they waited for the permits to come in.
Redecorating the property with as much, if not more, charm as it had before was tasked to Teresa. During the two years prior to breaking ground, she and John acquired most of the furniture and decor around the property today. She lovingly curated each and every piece with a passion for the bears and cubs that live on the mountain.
Spring 2020
In 2020, amongst the time of the pandemic and shut downs, Bearview Mountain Chalet steam rolled forward to its completion, where it was then given its name by Micheal.
If it had not been for Micheal’s dedication and expertise to the project, the property would not be where it is today. Besides managing the entire project, he did much of the physical construction himself. John and Teresa dubbed themselves Micheal’s unskilled labor during this time. William also assisted in the construction and helped by chalet-sitting the unfinished property during the summer of 2019.
Micheal’s daughter, Jessica, would go on to curate the logo, website, professional photos and social media for the chalet as she spent much of her Graphic Design Zoom lectures in one of the bedrooms during her online pandemic college experience.
Things were on the up-n-up for the property.
Fall 2023
However, in 2023 John joined our father in Heaven alongside Micheal’s brother Chris Hart (2019). Today, both their efforts are still living in the chalet’s memory. As John and Chris’s names are written on top of the support beams of the family room with the additive, “–is here.” Their memory will always be reflected in the craftsmanship and love for the property by Teresa, Micheal and family.
Present Day
Despite all the challenges, the Rutledge family is glad to have their beloved chalet in the mountains again. As they continue to look toward the future, they hope their home among the mountains can be a place to bring family and friends together to create memories to last a lifetime now and in the future much like Laurel View had done for many years before Bearview Mountain stood here.