Near Maggie Valley in Haywood County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Masonic Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2009
1. The Masonic Marker
The marker was erected in 1938 in a cooperative effort with other Masons throughout the world. Its 687 stones were sent from the various states, 41 nations, and every continent, including Antarctica. There are stones from Plymouth Rock and from the Rock of Gibraltar, from the Alamo and from the White House. T. Troy Wyche, of the Waynesville Lodge, led the effort to erect the monument.
The scenic setting of this marker, surrounded on all sides by National Park Lands, was chosen to signify the universality of the Masons. Their ideals of equality, morality, charity, and a brotherhood of humanity are symbolized in the cement that binds these stones and bricks.
National Park Service
Erected by United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations
this page online
Location. 35° 32.113′ N, 83° 10.275′ W. Marker is near Maggie Valley, North Carolina, in Haywood County. Marker can be reached from Heintooga Ridge Road, 3.6 miles north of Blue Ridge Parkway, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located beside the Masonic Monument, near the Black Camp Gap parking lot. Access to Heintooga Ridge Road and Black Camp Gap is north from Wolf Laurel Gap at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 458.2. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Maggie Valley NC 28751, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Plott Balsam (approx. 1.9 miles away); Qualla Indian Reservation (approx. 2 miles away); An Ancient and Settled Landscape (approx. 2 miles away); Qualla Boundary (approx. 2.8 miles away); Kirk's Raid (approx. 3.8 miles away); Browning Knob (approx. 5.6 miles away); Felix Walker (approx. 6 miles away); Cherokee Homeland (approx. 6.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Maggie Valley.
More about this marker. This is a large, painted wooden "billboard-style" marker.
Also see . . .
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2009
2. The Masonic Marker Marker (wide view; showing dedication plaque beside marker)
Erected by the Grand Council
of R. & S. M. in North Carolina
to the memory of
P. G. M. T. Troy Wyche
through whose vision and
untiring services the
marker to Universal
Benevolence was erected
July 10, 1939
1. Great Smoky Mountains Masonic Monument. From the proceedings of the Grand Council's Annual Assembly in Greensboro, North Carolina, on May 10th, 1938: "To mark the spot where the Grand Council last year buried its Memorial Deposit, we conceive the idea of a Masonic Marker as a true symbol of the universality of Masonry, and therefore have requested Masons of all countries and states to contribute stones to go therein. Interesting stones have come from five continents, the isles of the seven seas, and from historic spots of nearly every state in the Union. The idea has caused manifestation of great interest in the United States and among (Masons in) foreign countries, and consciousness that Freemasonry does have a message for this troubled world." (This was at a time when war clouds were gathering over Europe and we were destined to involvement in World War II.) (Submitted on December 9, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. A Masonic Marker On the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Masonic marker is quite large but not a feature that a visitor driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway will bump into accidently. It's located at Black Camp Gap on Heintooga Road at the intersection of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A metal fence surrounds the monument, protecting it from vandals. The marker is covered by a wooden roof. Thirty-four concrete steps lead to the monument.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2009
3. The Masonic Marker Staircase (marker visible to left of monument)
3. Masonic Shrine at Black Camp Gap. The multi level monument was built with rocks sent from most states and 41 countries - 687 separate items, consisting of various types of stones, granite, quartz, marble, slate, jade, onyx, tile, brick, crystal, gypsum, fluorspar, agate, garnet, fossil stone, and petrified wood. This website catalogs the origin of every stone. Many stones are labeled, e.g., Summit of Pikes Peak Colorado, Malta and the former Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic). (Submitted on December 9, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2009
4. The Masonic Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2009
5. The Masonic Marker (corner view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2009
6. The Masonic Marker (front detail)
The visible stones of this marker were sent from historic or interesting places by Free Masons of the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Isles of the Seas.
To Universal Benevolence
Photo courtesy of North Carolina Digital Heritage Center, July 11, 1938
7. Great Smoky Mountains Masonic Marker
"Masonic shrine at the Black Camp Gap entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park established by the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters in North Carolina at the location of the Special Summer Assembly. T. Troy Wyche organized the construction of the monument to commemorate the burying of a memorial chest in 1937; the visible stones of the marker were sent from historic or interesting places by Freemasons of the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Isles of the Sea. Construction was supervised by Oscar L. Briggs, Superintendent of the Water Department of the Town of Waynesville."
Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,032 times since then and 206 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 9, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 7. submitted on December 9, 2018. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
