Gatlinburg Attraction Christus Gardens in Gatlinburg, TN History

Downtown Gatlinburg Attraction Christus Gardens

Gatlinburg Tennessee Attraction Christus Gardens. Gatlinburg Attractions Association Leading Visitor Attraction in downtown Gatlinburg, TN.

Once upon a time, a man had a dream...

Five years and 80,000 miles later, Ronald S. Ligon's dream was to become a reality. On August 13, 1960 a newly created visitor attraction in the Tennessee resort town of Gatlinburg was scheduled for its grand opening. It was called Christus Gardens, a unique presentation takes visitors into a world of 2,000 years ago.




	*"We wish more people could see it. WONDERFUL!"* Chicago, Illinois


	When you visit Christus Gardens during your Gatlinburg Vacation, you will be greeted with a "Surround Sound" presentation about the interesting history that ultimately would create our beautiful dioramas and artifact displays. We welcome you.


	A large number of skilled craftsmen, artists, writers, musicians, artisans and laborers, both in this country and abroad set out to create dramatic action dioramas that seemed to capture moments of Biblical history in graphic realism.

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Selecting a Home


	The selection of Gatlinburg, Tennessee as the home of Christus Gardens is a tribute to a wide-awake real estate man by the name of Pritchard Barnes. Ronald originally came to this resort town in the Smokies to consider the possibility of purchasing a motel or land suitable for erecting a new one. When Mr. Barnes showed him the site now occupied by Christus Gardens on River Road, Ronald realized that here was the location for the great memorial he had been dreaming about and planning for so long. The beauty and popularity of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was already established and in Ronald's words, "Pritchard Barnes proved himself a one-man Chamber of Commerce."

Behind The Scenes

To complete the picture of Christus Gardens, Ronald Ligon employed a team of highly creative personnel to engineer the audio narration, music, sound and lighting effects and other "behind-the-scenes" creations that give mood and life to the visitor's experience at Christus Gardens.

For those of you who might have visited Christus Gardens sometime in the past...visit us again. We are always adding new exciting displays and exhibits to our presentations.

Open All Year Long

Spring - Enjoy new colors of spring in our landscaping and the enclosed patio garden. See the crown of thorns bush and delicate orchid display.

Fall - Christus Gardens is located at the base of Crockett Mountain, which becomes awash with reds, oranges and yellow during the fall season.

Christmas Season - Christus Gardens participates in Gatlingburg's Winterfest with award winning Christmas lights - 2nd week of November through the end of February. Our display changes annually. A must see during the Christmas Season!


	For the complete story behind Christus Gardens and those involved with its creation, consider purchasing a Ghristus Gardens Souvenir Guidebook. Click Here for Gift Shop!

Christus Gardens is the proud recipient of
The Shining Example Award! (read on...)


	*Home* \| *2007 Special Events* \| *About Christus Gardens* \| *Our History* \| *Church Retreats* *Gatlinburg Churches* \| *Hours of Operation* \| *Location Guide* \| *Contact Information* \| *Favorite Links* Christus Gardens 510 River Road / P.O. Box 587, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Just off the Great Smoky Mountains Parkway (865) 436-5155 - fax (865) 436-5115 E-mail: info@christusgardens.com


	Christus Gardens is proud to be a member of the Southern Highlands Attractions, the most highly acclaimed visited points of interest in the Southern Highland Region of the United States