The mountains in Grainger County, Tennessee, had prominence in the late 19th century when the mineral springs in the area drew notable visitors from around the globe.

Tate Springs, as the town and resort were named, included a hotel, golf course and mineral baths.

The plans were met with extreme opposition from unwilling property owners, particularly those from Grainger County, as the project would be nearly complete in the Hawkins and Hancock portions of the trail system.

[4] "Way Up on Clinch Mountain," a folk song based on a 17th-century Scottish ballad, was recorded by Woody Guthrie as "Rye Whiskey," and is included in Carl Sandburg's American Songbag.

A fiddle tune called "Clinch Mountain Backstep" (attributed to Ralph Stanley[1]) is in the Appalachian folk repertoire.

Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, produced an original work in 2018 based on several individuals and families from this area.

Characters include Mary Draper Ingles, Orelena Hawks Puckett, the Carter family, and several others of note.