Before the arrival of European settlers, the Pre-Cherokee Native Americans constructed a metropolis in the area known as Chiaha. The chief village was located on a large island in the French Broad River, which the Tennessee settlers would later name Zimmerman's Island.[2] The area of Shady Grove was part of the Coosa chiefdom at the time of the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. Both Hernando De Soto and Juan Pardo passed through the area with their conquistadors.[3]
The community is home to several boat docks, marinas, and a lakefront resort hotel complex.[6][7]
Infrastructure
Since 1963, the community, along with portions of Jefferson and Sevier counties, is served by the Shady Grove Utility District (SGUD).[8] SGUD provides municipal water to its service area, and is headquartered in Shady Grove on SR 139 since 2001.[8]
