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The theme park now known as Dollywood opened 1961 as a small Civil War themed tourist attraction called "Rebel Railroad."

Other interesting things on the property at that time was an old time saloon and general store.

In the late 1960s the name Rebel Railroad was changed to "Goldrush Junction," and the Civil War theme became a Wild West theme.   Later a giant roller coaster was added to the theme park. 

The Cleveland Browns football team purchased Goldrush Junction in 1970 and expanded the park with a log flume and several other small rides along with attractions such as the Austrailan Aerial Performers and the Ukraine Cultural Dance Group as shown in these  pictures.

In 1976, two brothers by the names of Jack and Pete Herschend of Branson, Missouri bought the park from the Cleveland Browns.   The following season the name was changed  from Goldrush Junction to "Silver Dollar City Tennessee," as a sister park to the Herschends' original Silver Dollar City in Branson.

In 1986 Dolly Parton joined the Herschend brothers when she bought into the park and redeveloped it as Dollywood.  

Since it has grown to be Tennessee's 
number one tourist distination with a large variety of rides and unique attractions.

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