Waynesville in Haywood County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains Arch

A Gift to the Town of Waynesville from the Downtown Waynesville Association

— June 1, 2024 —

The Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains Arch Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 20, 2026

1. The Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains Arch Marker

Inscription.

The Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains Arch. A Gift to the Town of Waynesville from the Downtown Waynesville Association. Since the founding of Waynesville in 1810, Downtown has been the commercial and cultural heart of the community. In the early 1980s, however, the rise of shopping centers and malls brought significant challenges. More than 25% of downtown buildings were vacant, several anchor stores had closed or relocated, and the historic Strand Theater had been lost to fire., Facing a bleak future like many small towns of the era, a group of community leaders came together determined to change the trajectory. Their efforts sparked the transformation that saved Downtown Waynesville from suffering the same slow decline that so many other places had experienced., Throughout Waynesville's history, there have been moments of bold leadership that have shaped its future. Earlier decisions, like the donation of land for the town square, cemetery, and railroad depot by Colonel Robert Love and his son, James Robert in the 1800s, and the 1921 purchase of land for the Waynesville watershed by the Board of Aldermen, laid the foundation for long-term prosperity., Finding ways to address Downtown's decline marked another pivotal moment in the town's evolution., Community leaders began by partnering with downtown property owners to establish the Municipal Service District (MSD), an innovative approach in which property owners agreed to an additional tax levied on their properties by the Town of Waynesville, with proceeds being used to fund the revitalization of Downtown Waynesville. At the same time, they sought membership in the Main Street Program, a nationwide initiative dedicated to revitalizing historic downtowns., Together, these two decisions led to the formation of the Downtown Waynesville Association (DWA), which became the cornerstone of the resurgence that defined Downtown Waynesville. For the next 37 years, the DWA was the driving force in making it the thriving, vibrant place it is today., The story of the Downtown Waynesville Association is a testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and community spirit. Due to the determined efforts of the organization, Downtown remains not only a vital economic hub but also a cherished symbol of Waynesville's heritage., Downtown Waynesville Association Executive Board 2022-2024 , Teresa Pennington, President . Tiffany Logan, Vice-President . Joyce Massie, Secretary . Pamela Leal, Treasurer . B. Alex McKay . Jon Feichter . Kirk Kirkpatrick . Jeanette Price-McKay

Since the founding of Waynesville in 1810, Downtown has been the commercial and cultural heart of the community. In the early 1980s, however, the rise of shopping centers and malls brought significant challenges. More than 25% of downtown buildings were vacant, several anchor stores had closed or relocated, and the historic Strand Theater had been lost to fire.

Facing a bleak future like many small towns of the era, a group of community leaders came together determined to change the trajectory. Their efforts sparked the transformation that saved Downtown Waynesville from suffering the same slow decline that so many other places had experienced.

Throughout Waynesville's history, there have been moments of bold leadership that have shaped its future. Earlier decisions, like the donation of land for the town square, cemetery, and railroad depot by Colonel Robert Love and his son, James Robert in the 1800s, and the 1921 purchase of land for the Waynesville watershed by the Board of Aldermen, laid the foundation for long-term prosperity.

Finding ways to address Downtown's decline marked another pivotal moment in the

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town's evolution.

Community leaders began by partnering with downtown property owners to establish the Municipal Service District (MSD), an innovative approach in which property owners agreed to an additional tax levied on their properties by the Town of Waynesville, with proceeds being used to fund the revitalization of Downtown Waynesville. At the same time, they sought membership in the Main Street Program, a nationwide initiative dedicated to revitalizing historic downtowns.

Together, these two decisions led to the formation of the Downtown Waynesville Association (DWA), which became the cornerstone of the resurgence that defined Downtown Waynesville. For the next 37 years, the DWA was the driving force in making it the thriving, vibrant place it is today.

The story of the Downtown Waynesville Association is a testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and community spirit. Due to the determined efforts of the organization, Downtown remains not only a vital economic hub but also a cherished symbol of Waynesville's heritage.

Downtown Waynesville Association Executive Board 2022-2024
Teresa Pennington, President • Tiffany Logan, Vice-President • Joyce Massie, Secretary • Pamela Leal, Treasurer • B. Alex McKay • Jon Feichter • Kirk Kirkpatrick • Jeanette Price-McKay

Topics.

Full view of The Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains Arch. Marker is on the left post image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 20, 2026

2. Full view of The Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains Arch. Marker is on the left post

This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1810.

Location. 35° 29.346′ N, 82° 59.298′ W. Marker is in Waynesville, North Carolina, in Haywood County. It is on South Main Street (U.S. 276) north of Pigeon Street (U.S. 276), on the right when traveling north. The marker is located on the east post of the arch. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 41 S Main Street, Waynesville NC 28786, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains, specifically in Greater Asheville,

and 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.

The Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains Arch and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 20, 2026

3. The Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains Arch and Marker

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Battle House (within shouting distance of this marker); Waynesville Masonic Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Time Music (about 700 feet away); Boone-Withers House (about 800 feet away); Martin's Surrender (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic Arch (approx. ¼ mile away); Haywood County Confederate Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Century Vault (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waynesville.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 6, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.