Cherokee in Swain County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Land of Blue Smoke
Photographed By Stanley and Terrie Howard, March 14, 2009
1. Land of Blue Smoke Marker
Shaconage, the Cherokee name for this area, means "land of blue smoke." A smoke-like natural bluish haze, and mist-like clouds that rise following a rainstorm, provide the inspiration for the name Smoky Mountains. During the growing season, the Smokies' lush vegetation emits large quantities of moisture and organic compounds. Together they form the natural haze, which is thickest on calm, sunny, humid days.But the misty veil is not all nature's work. Air pollution contributes too. In recent decades visibility in Great Smoky Mountains National Park has decreased dramatically. Because mountains tend to trap air currents, the effect of pollution on visibility and plant life is greater in the Smokies than in some other areas.
Air pollution comes to the Smokies from sources both far and near. Pollutants - and the problems they bring - take many forms. Today many of the Smokies' plant and animal species suffer from pollution - induced impacts such as acid precipitation and high ozone.
Erected by Great Smoky Mountains National Park - National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Natural Features.
Location. 35° 36.621′ N, 83° 25.553′ W. Marker is in Cherokee, North Carolina, in Swain County. Marker is on U.S. 441. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cherokee NC 28719, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (a few steps from this marker); A Mountain Sanctuary (within shouting distance of this marker); People of the Mountains (within shouting distance of this marker); “To the free people of America” (within shouting distance of this marker); Land of Diversity (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line in Tennessee); Hands That Built (about 300 feet away); The Appalachian Trail (about 400 feet away); The Great Smokies (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cherokee.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 6, 2012
2. Land of Blue Smoke Marker
Photographed By Stanley and Terrie Howard, March 14, 2009
3. Land of Blue Smoke Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 6, 2012
4. View from the Marker
Photographed By Stanley and Terrie Howard, March 14, 2009
5. Land of Blue Smoke Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,157 times since then and 249 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 18, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 2. submitted on August 29, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on June 18, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 4. submitted on August 29, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5. submitted on June 18, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
