Near Cherokee in Swain County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Springhouse

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 6, 2021

1. Springhouse Marker

Inscription. A reliable source of drinking water was important in selecting a house site. A good spring met that need and also provided a means for keeping perishable foods.

Water from a spring flowed through the springhouse in a rock-lined channel in the floor or in an elevated wooden trough like the one in this structure. Containers of perishable food, especially dairy products, were placed in the trough and were "refrigerated" by the cool water flowing around them.

Crocks, barrels, and jars containing a variety of less perishable foods were sometimes stored in the springhouse as well, particularly during warm weather. The building also protected the food stored there from animals.

Erected by Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 35° 30.75′ N, 83° 18.275′ 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

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at the Mountain Farm Museum at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1194 Newfound Gap Rd, Cherokee NC 28719, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: Corn Cribs (a few steps from this marker); Sorghum Mill and Furnace (within shouting distance of this marker); Broomcorn (within shouting distance of this marker); Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Sorghum Cane

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 6, 2021

2. Springhouse Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Apple House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Meathouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Mountain Farm Museum (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cherokee.

Also see . . . Oconaluftee Mountain Farm Museum and Mingus Mill. My Smokey Mountain Guide website entry (Submitted on July 18, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 6, 2021

3. Springhouse

Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 337 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 17, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.