Before the land was expropriated for the park from the local folks, Cades Cove was home to more than 600 mountain people. Three churches were built to provide services to the community. This is the Methodist Church and it is located on the 11 mile loop road. The Missionary Baptist Church is also. Located just a 1/4 of a mile off the loop and accessible by car is the Primitive Baptist Church. Each has a cemetery and each is open for services and weddings. Descendents of these people still maintain the gravesites. Many headstones date from the 1800s. The independent thinking residents of Cades Cove fought on both sides during the Civil War depending on their personal beliefs. . The soldier buried beneath the Confederate flag served with the 3rd Tennessee Cavalry.