Near Cherokee in Swain County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Broomcorn
Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 6, 2021
1. Broomcorn Marker
Broomcorn is a member of the sorghum plant family and is the source of broomstraw for making brooms. It was introduced to this country from Asia in the late 1700s.
The straw is part of the seed head that grows at the top of the plant. Once the seeds develop, the broomstraw is cut and stacked to dry. After drying, the seeds are removed and the straw is ready for making brooms. Some seeds were saved for the next year's crop; the rest could be fed to livestock.
Families sometimes planted a small patch of Broomcorn to make brooms for their own use and to sell or trade. Plants found in the wild, such as broom sedge, also provided material for making brooms.
Erected by Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 35° 30.73′ N, 83° 18.259′ W. Marker is near Cherokee, North Carolina, in Swain County. It can be reached from Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) 0.7 miles north of Blue Ridge Parkway, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at the Mountain Farm
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains and specifically in the Great Smoky 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 Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sorghum Cane (here, next to this marker); Sorghum Mill and Furnace (here, next to this marker); Corn Cribs (within shouting distance of this marker); Springhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this
Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 6, 2021
2. Broomcorn Marker
Also see . . . Oconaluftee Mountain Farm Museum and Mingus Mill. My Smoky Mountain Guide website entry (Submitted on July 10, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 366 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 17, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
