Downtown in Asheville in Buncombe County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

This Is Cherokee Language

Photographed by Mark Parker, August 31, 2025

1. This Is Cherokee Language Marker

Inscription. The Cherokee language has been spoken in these mountains for thousands of years. In 1821 a Cherokee man named Sequoyah created a way to write this ancient language. By giving a written symbol to every sound in the Cherokee language, Sequoyah created a Syllabary, one of the only people in history to do so. His writing system led to the creation of a Cherokee National newspaper, the Cherokee Phoenix, that is still published today.

(The upper block of text is written in the Cherokee language)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.

Location. 35° 35.845′ N, 82° 33.153′ W. Marker is in Asheville, North Carolina, in Buncombe County. It is in Downtown. It is on Broadway Street (U.S. 25) south of Woodfin Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located at the Cherokee Basketry Display Area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 59 Broadway St, Asheville NC 28801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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: This Is Cherokee Land (here, next to this marker); This Is Cherokee Basketry (here, next to this marker); We Are Still Here (here, next to this marker); Legacy of Design (within shouting distance of this marker); Marketplace (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thomas Wolfe Memorial (about 400 feet away); Crafting Our Culture (about 400 feet away); Thomas Wolfe House / Dixieland (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Asheville.

This Is Cherokee Land Marker at the Cherokee Basketry Display Area. Subject marker is on the right image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, August 31, 2025

2. This Is Cherokee Land Marker at the Cherokee Basketry Display Area. Subject marker is on the right

Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 66 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.