In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee-located less than half an hour from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park—a large, white cross sits serenely on a hillside, visible from multiple vantage points in the town. Designed by the Reverend James Potter, the structure is 110 feet high and weighs an estimated 60,000 pounds. I visit Pigeon Forge frequently, and the cross always makes me think of the contradictions embedded in this small town, where a lively mix of amusement parks, thrill rides, clubs, and CBD/Delta-8 shops co-exist with historical churches that date back to the mid 19th century.
The easiest way to get to Pigeon Forge is to take I-75 north from Knoxville to exit 407 in Sevierville, where a gleaming Buc-ee's gas station anchors plans for regional development. Following the signs down the
