Murphy in Cherokee County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Prison Cell Door
From the Cherokee County Prison Camp
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 20, 2016
1. Prison Cell Door Marker
A permanent prison was built in Peachtree in 1939, as part of depression era federal infrastructure programs, to replace a temporary facility in Andrews.
In 1957 the general assembly separated the Prison Department from the State Highway and Public Works Commission. Following this act, the prison camps in Cherokee County and fourteen other North Carolina counties were eventually closed.
The relatively modern Cherokee County Camp continued as a state prison, still contracting road labor. The prison was abandoned in 1965 due to poor economics and unpopular escapes.
Tri-County Community College was formed in July 1965, and was located on the former prison site in the Peachtree area of Western North Carolina.
A bronze plaque in front of the college reflects the former presence of the prison door and the solitary
this page online
Erected 2007 by Tri-County Community College.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1965.
Location. 35° 5.202′ N, 84° 1.978′ W. Marker is in Murphy, North Carolina, in Cherokee County. It is at the intersection of Peachtree Street and Alpine Street, on the right when traveling north on Peachtree Street. Located in front of the Cherokee County Historical Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 87 Peachtree Street, Murphy NC 28906, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 20, 2016
2. Prison Cell Door and the Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cherokee Heritage Trails (here, next to this marker); Nuya Saligugi (a few steps from this marker); Unicoi Turnpike Trail (a few steps from this marker); Water Powered 500 Pound Hammer (a few steps from this marker); Tsali (a few steps from this marker); Millstone from Thomas C. Thatham Mill (a few steps from this marker); In Memory of the Servicemen of Cherokee County (within shouting distance of this marker); Harshaw Chapel and Cemetery (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Murphy.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Cherokee War (was about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 20, 2016
3. Prison Cell Door Marker at the Cherokee County Historical Museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2018. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 996 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 8, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
