Embreeville Mountain—Greene County’s Lost Copper Boom and Appalachian Outback

There’s a stretch of wild ridgeline and dense hardwood forest on the eastern edge of Greene County that most locals know simply as Embreeville Mountain. If you look up from the valley near Horse Creek or hike deep enough into the Unaka range, you’ll spot it—a big, rugged backbone of ancient stone and mystery. But behind that quiet green facade is a forgotten story: Embreeville was once home to a roaring copper rush, a wild company town, and some of the roughest mining camps in all of East Tennessee.

Let’s dig into the true story of Embreeville Mountain—a place where fortunes rose and fell, the land was changed forever, and Appalachian grit met industrial ambition.
The Boom Years: Copper, Iron, and Appalachian Ambition

The mineral riches beneath Embreeville Mountain were known to Native Americans long before settlers arrived. But it was the discovery of copper and iron ore in the mid-1800s that turned the area into a hotbed of mining speculation. By the 1890s, the Embreeville Mining Company had set up smelters, built a railroad spur, and founded the company town of Embreeville—a rough-and-ready community of miners, families, and fortune-seekers from across the region.

At its height in the early 20th century, Embreeville’s copper mines produced tens of thousands of tons of ore annually. The boom attracted not just miners but engineers, merchants, and even doctors, all hoping to stake a claim in the shadow of the mountain.
Life in Embreeville: Company Town Realities

Life here was hard. Miners lived in hastily-built clapboard houses, braving long shifts underground and dangerous conditions (gas, cave-ins, heavy machinery). The company paid in scrip, usable only at the company store. Still, the town had its own school, post office, churches, and even a baseball team.

Weekends were rowdy: miners blew off steam at boarding houses and pool halls, and the hills echoed with music, laughter, and the occasional brawl. Floods, fires, and accidents were a constant threat, but the sense of community was strong—everyone looked out for their own.
The Downturn: Bust, Abandonment, and Rebirth by Nature

World War I drove up copper demand, but after the 1920s, the mines began to dry up. Falling prices, exhausted ore, and the Great Depression pushed Embreeville into decline. By the 1940s, most mining operations had ceased and the town was rapidly abandoned, leaving behind rusted equipment, deserted buildings, and environmental scars.

Over the decades, nature reclaimed much of what was lost. Trees and wildflowers grew up around old shafts and railroad grades. Today, little remains of the original company town except for crumbling foundations, an old cemetery, and the rare relic unearthed by hikers or local historians.
Exploring Embreeville Mountain Today

Hiking and Nature: Embreeville Mountain is part of the Cherokee National Forest, with access via Horse Creek and Paint Creek recreation areas. Trails wind through rugged ridges, hidden hollows, and old mining cuts—perfect for backpackers, birders, and those seeking true solitude.

Relics and Ruins: A keen eye may spot rusted mining equipment, the occasional collapsed shaft, and mossy stone walls. Local legend has it that lost veins of copper still run beneath the mountain, waiting to be rediscovered.

Flora and Fauna: The area is home to deer, fox, wild turkey, and an amazing diversity of songbirds and wildflowers. In spring, look for rare trilliums and flame azalea blooming along creekbeds.

Cemetery and Ghost Town Remains: The Embreeville Cemetery, tucked into the woods, holds the graves of miners and their families—a poignant reminder of the community that once thrived here.

Caution: Many mining sites are unstable and dangerous—never enter old shafts or tunnels. Stick to marked trails and respect private property boundaries.
Real-World Adventure: Backpacking, Birding, and More

Horse Creek Campground: A great base for day hikes or fishing trips into the Unaka foothills.

Wildlife Watching: Bring binoculars and a field guide—you might spot everything from black bear to pileated woodpecker.

Fall Colors: Embreeville Mountain’s slopes explode in gold, orange, and red each October—a local secret for leaf-peeping away from the crowds.

History Hikes: Join a Greene County historian or nature club for a guided walk and learn more about the area’s mining heritage.

Miner’s Lunch: Poke Sallet and Cornbread

A classic “miner’s lunch” was whatever you could carry. Here’s an old-time favorite still loved in mountain kitchens:

Poke Sallet & Cornbread

1 bunch young pokeweed greens (MUST be boiled and rinsed at least twice—poke is poisonous raw)

2 slices bacon or fatback

1 small onion, chopped

Salt, pepper to taste

Cornbread (your favorite recipe)

Boil cleaned poke greens, drain, and rinse. Fry bacon, add onion, then stir in poke greens and cook until tender. Serve hot with cornbread—a real taste of Appalachian survival.
Why Embreeville Mountain Still Matters

Embreeville Mountain is a monument to both human ambition and nature’s power to reclaim. Its story is a lesson in boom and bust, resilience and renewal. For Greene County, it’s a wild backyard, a history book written in stone, and a reminder that even lost towns can live on in memory, legend, and the trees growing over old dreams.

See Also:

Embreeville Mountain History: https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/embreeville/

Cherokee National Forest (Horse Creek): https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cherokee/recarea/?recid=34992

Abandoned Mines in Tennessee: https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/land-abandoned-mines.html

Greene County Mining Heritage: https://www.greenecountyhistorymuseum.com/

Poke Sallet History and Recipes: https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/poke-salad