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Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: Porpoise Island (Gone)

Fondly remembered theme park in Pigeon Forge.

Visitor Tips and News About Porpoise Island

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Porpoise Island - Vague Recollections

I also grew up in the Knoxville area and remember Porpoise Island. We were never allowed to go visit the attraction because my mother thought it unnatural to keep porpoises in TN as a tourist attraction. However, I do remember the TV commercials. Their tag line was, "The porpoises are calling you." In the ad there were women dressed in Hawaiian garb (grass skirts, bikini tops and leis) doing the houla while the porposies "called" you. I think the main attration there was a water show along the lines of Orca at sea world. There was a barn with a Porpoise Island painted roof that directed you to turn left into the facility. I always wish I could have heeded the call of the porpoise!

[Traci Turner, 09/15/2003]
Porpoise Island - Vague Recollections

I just had a frightening recollection -- a traumatic flashback, if you will -- of an actual marine-life theme park once located in Pigeon Forge, TN. It was open circa 1970-79, and I am 30 now so I barely remember it. I am sure that the demise of Porpoise Island came when the owners realized that rednecks are only interested in CATCHING fish and not merely VIEWING them from a distance. I wonder what ever happened to those poor animals. They are probably buried somewhere underneath Dollywood. Live animals just don't seem to last long in Pigeon Forge. (R.I.P. "Bunny Golf")

[Darren Hastings, 06/03/2003]

Porpoise Island

Directions:
Off U.S. Hwy. 441 in Pigeon Forge, possibly near Teaster Lane and where Belz Factory Outlets are now.
Status:
Gone

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