Who really owns Dollywood?
Dollywood is a theme park owned by country music singer Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation. It is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, just off US 441 between Gatlinburg and Sevierville. The park first opened in 1961 as a small tourist attraction named “Rebel Railroad”, featuring a steam train, general store, blacksmith shop, and saloon. In 1966, Rebel Railroad was renamed “Goldrush Junction” and in 1970, the Cleveland Browns football team purchased the park. In 1976, Jack and Pete Herschend bought the park, and in 1977, renamed it “Silver Dollar City Tennessee” (not to be confused with Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, also owned by the Herschends). In 1986, Dolly Parton became a co-owner, and the park was renamed “Dollywood”. Sources: http://en.wikipedia.