The Barber Cabin
since 1939
Emert's Cove
Pittman Center,
Tennessee
Barber Cabin History
In 1937 David West Barber Sr. and Will Cain purchased 1.25 acres from the Marshalls and the Barbers soon began building, as did the Cain family (now across the road). He later bought an additional 19 acres. Initially, building was slow as David Jr. and Dean would spend as much as a week at a time camping on the homesite and doing everything but working! Without volunteering, the local families adopted them as in exchange for fresh vegetables, and they caught all the fish they could eat from the river, often fishing just below the mill dam (seen to the left along the far right edge of the photo). At the time of its construction, all trips to the cabin had to be made by fording the river (as no bridge existed at the time). Despite the young men's questionable work ethic the family completed the cabin in 1939. Initially using an outhouse, they completed the cabin with indoor plumbing and then later added a bedroom that doesn't appear in these early photos. David Jr. says that West and the rest of the family built the entire cabin, except for the fireplace and chimneys.
The story of this cabin begins with David West Barber's love for the mountains. Known as West and living in Knoxville, he and his wife, Carol, began vacationing in Kinzel Springs/Sunshine around 1930 but soon found Emert's Cove. With their 3 children, Florence, David Jr. and Dean, the Barbers' early trips were spent camping on the big island a half a mile up stream from where the cabin now stands. One story includes the family often watching rivalry teams from Newport, Cosby, Gatlinburg, and so on play baseball on this large, flat island. An early member of the Smoky Mountain Hikers Club, West and his family loved the majesty and serenity found here. The Barber men even assisted in the construction of the Hiker's Club Cabin in Porters Flats. As we do now, they spent time hiking, fishing, swimming, and enjoying the cooler temperatures of this valley.
Family respite equals family strength.
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In the years since its construction the Barber family, now 5 generations, has seen this place as a tremendous blessing and a frequent reminder of God, our Father. Many comments have been made as to its beauty and peacefulness and we treasure this family heirloom, which is continuing to be passed down within the family. David Jr. has often commented that he suspects this family's spiritual strength can be directly linked to time spent together. Continuing in the wishes of David & Phyllis Barber Jr. we encouarge christians to use this gift from God as a place of reflection, enjoyment and spiritual enrichment.
