I visited Dolly Parton's hometown in Tennessee. Here are 16 photos that show her humble beginnings.

Talia LakritzAug 16, 2022, 20:24 IST

The author in Sevierville, Tennessee.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I visited Dolly Parton's hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee, to see where she got her start.
A statue of Parton playing guitar in front of the Sevier County Courthouse honors her legacy.

On a recent trip to Tennessee, I visited Dolly Parton's hometown of Sevierville.

Sevierville, Tennessee.Talia Lakritz/Insider

My first stop was Sevier County High School, Parton's alma mater.

Dolly Parton's high school.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The school was closed for the summer, but a local told me that Parton's old marching band uniform is on display inside.

Dolly Parton's high school.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Next, I visited LeConte Medical Center, where Parton has funded the Dolly Parton Center for Women's Services and the Dolly Parton Birthing Unit.

LeConte Medical Center.Talia Lakritz/Insider

As of 2020, the Dolly Parton Birthing Unit has delivered over 10,000 babies.

A sign for the Dolly Parton Birthing Unit.Talia Lakritz/Insider

This brick building in downtown Sevierville once housed The Pines Theater, where Dolly Parton played her first paid gig.

The building that once housed The Pines Theater.Talia Lakritz/Insider

One of the main attraction in Sevierville is a bronze statue of Parton outside the Sevier County Courthouse.

A statue of Dolly Parton in Sevierville, Tennessee.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Sculpted by Jim Gray, the statue depicts Parton perched on a rock, smiling and strumming a guitar.

A statue of Dolly Parton in Sevierville, Tennessee.Talia Lakritz/Insider

There's even a butterfly on the neck of Parton's guitar.

Dolly Parton is a fan of butterflies.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The statue is part of the Tennessee Music Pathways series highlighting locations across the state that are part of its music history.

A sign near the Dolly Parton statue.Talia Lakritz/Insider

A boutique named Jolene's On Bruce Street sits around the corner from the statue.

Jolene's On Bruce Street.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Jolene's sells a variety of Dolly Parton-themed apparel and souvenirs.

A denim jacket for sale at Jolene's.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Across the street, a store called Smoky Mountain Wildflower references another Parton song.

Wildflower.Talia Lakritz/Insider

A mural shows a young Parton ordering a hamburger at Red's Cafe, which used to be located on Bruce Street in downtown Sevierville.

A mural in Sevierville, Tennessee.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Another mural inspired by Parton, "Wings of Wander," provided a fun photo-op.

A butterfly mural in Sevierville, Tennessee.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Located just six miles from Dollywood and all of its attractions, Sevierville is worth a stop.