Andrews in Cherokee County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Konehete
This valley was the “bread basket” of the Cherokee Nation, its rich fertile soil and protection from the weather providing ideal conditions for agricultural cultivation.
As we got clear of the mountain and entered… the pleasant valley through which Valley River runs… we continued our course… down the valley… to a mile of rich bottom land surrounded by lofty and picturesque hills covered with fine woods. This was the Paradise of the Cherokees, their wigwams [sic] being built on graceful knolls rising above the level of the river bottom, each of them having its patch of Indian corn with indigenous beans climbing to the top of each plat, and squashes and pumpkins growing on the ground.
—George Featherstonhaugh 1837 [1847]
(captions)
1838 U.S. Army map of the upper Valley River Valley, showing the locations of Cherokee homes, roads and trails. Map provided by Brett Riggs, University of North Carolina, Research Laboratories of Archaeology, 2013
The rich fertile soil of Andrews Valley continues to support modern agriculture. Courtesy of BluRidgeHighlander.com
Cherokee Youth Council members learn about traditional gardening methods at Kituwah Mound. Courtesy of Cherokke Preservation Foundation
Erected by Cherokee Preservation Foundation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Trail of Tears series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.
Location. 35° 12.318′ N, 83° 49.788′ W. Marker is in Andrews, North Carolina, in Cherokee County. Marker is at the intersection of Locust Street and County Highway 1419, on the left when traveling north on Locust Street. Marker is located 0.1 miles west of the intersection at the Andrews Rest Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Andrews NC 28901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Resistance and Resurgence on Valley River (here, next to this marker); Fort Delaney (a few steps from this marker); The Old Army Road (a few steps from this marker); Harold H. Hall (approx. 0.3 miles away); The "Peavine" Special (approx. 0.3 miles away); Valleytown Center (approx. 0.4 miles away); Junaluska (approx. 8 miles away); Junaluska's Distingusihed Service (approx. 8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Andrews.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2020, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 281 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 13, 2020, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.