The Tennessee Conservative [By David Seal] –
Like many other institutions, military bases, and landmarks, Clingmans Dome, the highest elevation point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, will get a new name. Clingmans Dome, originally named for Thomas L. Clingman, will fall into the dustbin of renamed historical landmarks.
This change comes in the wake of other name changes in which congress mandated that military installations that bore the name of confederate leaders be changed to more politically neutral names.
For example, Fort Bragg, whose namesake was taken from Confederate General Braxton Bragg, was changed to Fort Liberty as part of the National Defense Act of 2021.
Although the Clingmans Dome renaming was unrelated to any military mandate from congress, the name change was supported by the National Park Service and is now among the frenzy of institutional name changes that have swept the nation over the past decade.
According to MSN/WVLT-TV in Knoxville, “The first name change happened in 1859, when Arnold Guyot, a geographer and professor, named the area after Clingman. Since then, Guyot has been accused of advocating for “scientific racism,” a point of view not uncommon at the time. The effort is in part being pushed by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which says the act of naming the mountain Clingmans Dome was disrespectful, especially given the history of racism associated with Guyot.”
U.S. Board on Geographic Names’ Domestic Names Committee, on a unanimous vote, was the board that officially changed the name from Clingmans Dome to Kuwohi.
Thomas Clingman was a Confederate Brigadier General having served in 8 major engagements of the American Civil War, first as Commander of the 25th North Carolina Infantry, later commanding Clingmans Brigade which included combat service at Cold Harbor and Petersburg.
Within Clingman’s political career, he served in the North Carolina House of Commons, the North Carolina State Senate, the U.S. Congress, and the U.S. Senate.
The Cherokee name Kuwohi, (koo-WHOA-hee) translates to mulberry place, a mountain (elevation 6643 ft) considered sacred by the Cherokee.
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and current Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
