The Spartan Village - Historic Coach Residences - Paris Coach - East TN

Although I'm a Wisconsin native, I've spent most of my life in the South and have adapted quite well—with the possible exceptions of sweet tea and okra!

I retired from the U.S. Army in 2014 and Federal Service in 2017 after a career as an Intelligence Officer. Going from a very busy life to retirement wasn't easy. I needed a project—and apparently I chose a big one.

After watching a few too many HGTV episodes during the tiny-home craze, I decided to create a small park using vintage Airstreams. I had owned two and thought I knew exactly what I wanted.

Then I discovered a Spartan. It was love at first sight.

The polished aluminum caught my eye, but when I learned about Spartan's aviation and military heritage, everything clicked. As an Army veteran, I knew these were the coaches I wanted to preserve. There was just one problem: these suckers were hard to find!

My search took me across the country. Sadly, many beautiful historic Spartans had been abandoned to the elements and were too far gone to save. But one by one, I found the coaches that became The Spartan Village.

What followed was a three-year adventure filled with restoration, determination, laughter and, yes, a few tears, but I stayed true to my dream: creating a one-of-a-kind place where these remarkable coaches could be preserved, lived in and enjoyed.

Today my son Eric is part of The Spartan Village with me, making this journey even more meaningful. What began as a retirement project has become a family legacy and our way of preserving a little piece of American history.

I think of myself not simply as the owner of these Spartans, but as their current caretaker.

My hope is that they'll be here long after me, still welcoming people through their doors. That's what I love most about hosting—sharing their history and watching each guest become a small part of their continuing story.

Come stay awhile. We'll give you the keys to a little piece of American history.

When I began searching for a home for The Spartan Village, finding the right property was almost as challenging as finding the Spartans themselves. Then I discovered Tellico Plains, a small mountain town tucked into the foothills of East Tennessee, and I knew I had found the right place.

Tellico Plains has the kind of small-town character that's becoming harder to find. I sometimes describe it as our Smoky Mountain version of “Mayberry”—friendly, relaxed, and surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in Tennessee.

The Village is close to the Cherohala Skyway, Tellico River, Cherokee National Forest, and miles of hiking, fishing, scenic drives, waterfalls, and mountain roads.

The Benton MacKaye Trail also passes through the surrounding mountains, making this a wonderful area for anyone who enjoys the outdoors.

What I enjoy most, though, is the pace of life here. You can spend the day exploring the mountains and rivers, then come home to your Spartan, sit outside, and enjoy a quieter evening.

Somehow these vintage coaches just seem to belong here. A little piece of American history surrounded by the natural beauty of East Tennessee.

The Spartan Village isn't a recreation of the past—you actually get to stay in it.

Our Village is a collection of six rare, authentic Spartan travel coaches dating from 1949 to 1962, each representing a remarkable chapter in American design and travel history. No two are exactly alike, and each has been given its own personality and theme while preserving as much of its original character as possible.

Spartan's story began with the Spartan Aircraft Company, founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1928. After World War II, the company's aircraft manufacturing experience and craftsmanship were turned toward building some of America's finest travel coaches and mobile homes. With their streamlined aluminum exteriors, aircraft-inspired construction, beautiful birch interiors, and exceptional craftsmanship, Spartans became known as the “Cadillac” of trailers.

Today, we've carefully restored and updated these historic coaches with modern comforts while preserving the details that make them special.

But what truly makes The Spartan Village unique is the experience. You're not staying in another hotel room or mountain cabin. You can sit inside a coach built more than 70 years ago, enjoy your own private outdoor living space, relax at The Rabbit Tail Lounge, and imagine the journeys your Spartan may have taken before arriving here.

Every coach has a past. During your stay, you become part of its continuing story.