In a shaded clearing near Mingus Mill lies a cemetery. Small, unmarked rocks sit at the head and foot of each plot, adorned with shimmering coins visitors have left as tokens of respect.
The names, life stories, and even the exact number of people occupying Enloe Cemetery in Great Smoky Mountains National Park have long been lost to history, but interest in this plot of ground has increased in recent years as pieces of the story have come to light. The cemetery is believed to be the final resting place of at least half a dozen Black people who were enslaved by the Mingus family.
In 2023, two new interpretive signs were installed to illuminate the site’s history, and their presence highlighted the need for a better way to reach the cemetery, which sits atop a steep hill. The path from the parking lot was difficult to climb, often slippery, and prone to erosion. Thanks to a $31,600 contribution from park partner Friends of the Smokies, a new access trail has been in place since December 2024…