Rosman in Transylvania County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Mighty French Broad
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 9, 2023
1. The Mighty French Broad Marker
The Cherokee called the river Long Man. Its journey begins outside of Rosman, where the North and West Forks join. The river gains identity as East and Middle Forks merge. The French Broad then gathers all other Transylvania rivers and creeks flowing east of the Continental Divide. Said to be the third oldest river in the world, the French Broad is unique in the fact that it flows north instead of south.
From Transylvania, it meanders west to join the Holstein River and serves as the headwaters of the Tennessee River. It then connects with the Mississippi which empties into the Gulf of Mexico.
The town of Rosman is sometimes evacuated due to the flash flooding of the river. In the 1960s, one flood forced residents to travel up and down Main Street in a row boat!
[photo caption]
• The frozen French Broad — 1930s
© 2011 eyd/thm
Erected 2011 by Transylvania Heritage Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Native Americans • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 35° 8.734′ N, 82° 49.549′ W. Marker is in Rosman, North Carolina, in Transylvania County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. God's Children (here, next to this marker); Joshua Mountain and Early Settlers (here, next to this marker); The Eastatoe Path (here, next to this marker); The Queen City (here, next to this marker); Rosman Schools (a few steps from this marker); Rosman Today (a few steps from this marker); Making a Living (a few steps from this marker); What's in a Name? (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rosman.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . French Broad River (Wikipedia). Excerpt:
The headwaters of the French Broad River are near the town of Rosman in Transylvania County, North Carolina, just northwest of the Eastern Continental Divide near the northwest border of South Carolina. The French Broad River is believed to be one of the oldest in the world, cutting over geologic eons through ancient rocks in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The Cherokee people referred to the river by different names: Poelico(Submitted on December 2, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)and Agiqua ("broad") in the mountains of the headwaters; Zillicoah upriver of the confluence at present-day Asheville; and Tahkeeosteh (racing waters) from Asheville downriver. The river is considered to roughly mark the eastern boundary of the Cherokee homelands in this region, which included areas of present-day northwestern South Carolina, northeastern Georgia, and southeastern Tennessee.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 9, 20232. The Mighty French Broad MarkerLooking east. Rosman Town Hall is on the left. Main Street is in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 56 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 2, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
