Laurel Park in Henderson County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Legend of Jump Off Rock

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 4, 2024

1. The Legend of Jump Off Rock Marker

Inscription. Nearly 300 years ago the Cherokee Indians would gather each summer at Kanasta, now known as Connestee. While the braves were busy shaping their war axes making ready to fight other Indian tribes, one young Cherokee Chieftain found time to roam the mountain paths with one of the tribe's fairest of maidens. One of their favorite meeting places was at the rock cliff at Jump Off Mountain. When the time came for the braves to start on their warring trip, the pair parted with many a sigh and a promise to meet again at their favorite trysting place. Evening after evening while the sun slid down the golden path behind the peaks, the lonely Indian girl climbed to her look-out post on the rock where she watched and prayed to the “Long Person” for her lover's return. Often standing there, she sent the plaintive notes of the Indian love call ringing out but there never came an answering note. The returning warriors brought the sad news that the young Chief had been killed in battle. In the deepening twilight, she climbed to the edge of the cliff - a few steps forward and the haunting notes of her love call were hushed forever

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and her broken body was found later by hunters. Legend has it that on some moonlight nights the ghost of the Indian maid can be seen there.

Legends persist concerning the natives that inhabited the Southern Appalachians the importance of which is the heritage that these tribes contributed to the region.

Erected 2017 by Laurel Park Civic Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Believe It or Not series list.

Location. 35° 18.818′ N, 82° 31.63′ W. Marker is in Laurel Park, North Carolina, in Henderson County. It can be reached from Laurel Park Highway 0.1 miles north of Beechwood Circle. Marker is in Jump Off Rock Park, on the path between the parking lot and overlook. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4501 Laurel Park Hwy, Hendersonville NC 28739, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mountains and in Greater Asheville.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 4, 2024

2. The Legend of Jump Off Rock Marker

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Jump Off Rock (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Fleetwood Hotel (approx. half a mile away); “Woodlawn” (approx. 1.6 miles away); Echo Mountain Inn (approx. 1.7 miles away); CCC Rock Walls (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Quarry Tract (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Swiss Railway (approx. 1.9 miles away); Park Heights Tower (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Laurel Park.

Jump Off Rock image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 4, 2024

3. Jump Off Rock

It now is a popular park, with trails and a scenic overlook.

Frank P. Fogg, Now for North Carolina, via NC Digital Collections (Public Domain), 1910

4. Jump Off Rock

Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,139 times since then and 111 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 13, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.