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In the mid-1800s, Switzerland was one of several European countries suffering from famine, failed crops and overcrowding. Captain Eugen Plumacher, the commissioner of emigration to the United States, and Peter Staub, a Swiss emigrant living in Knoxville, purchased 15,000 acres atop the South Cumberland Plateau and advertised the area to German- speaking Swiss looking to start a new life in America. Nearly 100 Swiss families, including farmers, artisans, merchants and professionals, arrived in Gruetli by the late 1870s.

Swiss settler Christian Marugg operated the Stagecoach Inn in Gruetli for travelers along the McMinnville-to-Chattanooga Stagecoach Route. Completed circa 1884, the inn was used as a hotel, dance hall and town meeting place. Marugg also brought the European-style scythe to Tennessee, founding the Marugg Company in 1873 to provide area farmers with the cutting tools they were accustomed to using in Europe.

Descendants of the immigrants formed the Swiss Historical Society of Grundy County that today preserves the historic Stoker-Stampfli Farm and Museum. Each summer, the society hosts a Swiss festival at the farm, with support from the Swiss consulate in Atlanta.

Other historic Swiss structures in Gruetli-Laager include the Suter Farm, Pickett Farm and Marugg Stagecoach Inn. Additional artifacts from that time period are displayed at the Grundy County Heritage Center in Tracy City.

Gruetli-Laager serves as the gateway to the Collins Gulf area via the Savage Gulf South trailhead in Savage Gulf State Park.

Gruetli-Laager
Collins Campground
Collins Campground

The Collins Campground is only a half mile hike from the Savage Gulf South trailhead, and is the gateway to the awe-inspiring Collins River Rim and Gulf Trails. Online reservations required at Reserve.tnstateparks.com.

Badlands Horse Camp

Badlands Horse Camp

Bring your own horse and enjoy access to over 22,000 acres of trails. Camping hookups available.

Brown's Dairy Bar

Brown's Dairy Bar

Ice cream, shakes, plate lunches & burgers

Collins Gulf 2-Day Overnight Hike

Difficult

Collins Gulf 2-Day Overnight Hike

This two-day hike features eye-popping springtime wildflowers, amazing waterfalls, disappearing streams and majestic overlooks. There are steep descents/return ascents into/out of Collins Gulf. Otherwise, it's a moderate hike. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf South Trailhead.

Horsepound Falls

Difficult

Horsepound Falls

Visit the waterfall said to be named for the place where Confederate forces hid their horses during the Civil War. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf South Trailhead.

Mountain Mobile Massage

Mountain Mobile Massage

Individual or couple massages with optional add-on treatments in your accommodations

Stoker-Stampfli Farm & Museum

Stoker-Stampfli Farm & Museum

Leaving Switzerland for a Better Life

Suter Falls/Horsepound Falls

Difficult

Suter Falls/Horsepound Falls

Here's a challenging 2 mile out-and-back viewing of Suter Falls, Horsepound Falls, rock shelters, and high bluffs. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf South Trailhead.

Things to do in Gruetli-Laager

Lodging in Gruetli-Laager

Gruetli-Laager
Gruetli-Laager
Coalmont OHV Park

Coalmont

Coalmont OHV Park

New off-road park offering over 1,300 acres of trails with varied wooded terrain for all vehicle types and skill levels.

Grundy County Miner's Museum

Palmer

Grundy County Miner's Museum

Telling the Story of Mining in Grundy County

Palmer Market

Palmer

Palmer Market

Gas station, grocery store & restaurant

Savage Creek 4-Day Overnight Hike

Palmer

Savage Creek 4-Day Overnight Hike

This 4-day hike takes you into the “wildest” part of Savage Gulf State Park — some of the most beautiful wilderness in the region. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf East Trailhead.

The Southern Oven

Palmer

The Southern Oven

Family owned restaurant with fresh burgers, daily specials and good ol' country cooking and sweet tea

Explore nearby communities

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