On Fontana Dam Road (County Highway 1245) 0.9 miles north of Fontana Road (State Highway 28), on the right when traveling north.
Whether you are a day hiker or an overnight backpacker, the Smoky Mountain portion of the Appalachian Trail is one of the most scenic and challenging of the Trail's 2,144 mile length.
The distance from Fontana Dam to Davenport Gap is 68 miles. . . . — — Map (db m155802) HM
Near Fontana Dam Road (County Highway 1245) 1.4 miles north of Fontana Road (State Highway 28), on the left when traveling west.
In 1921, forester Benton MacKaye proposed his idea to create an incredibly long footpath—one that would not only help preserve nature, but would create an escape for busy urban people across the U.S. He called it "The Appalachian Trail". . . . — — Map (db m156034) HM
On Fontana Dam Road, 1.3 miles north of Fontana Road (State Highway 28), on the left when traveling west.
When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, President Roosevelt knew he needed to act fast. In order to win WWII, the U.S. would need tens of thousands of new fighter planes and immense amounts of electrical power to build them But where . . . — — Map (db m155981) HM
Near Fontana Dam Road (County Highway 1245) 1.4 miles north of Fontana Road (State Highway 28), on the left when traveling west.
Fontana Dam is surrounded by land that is extremely rich in cultural heritage. In fact, humans have populated the region for more than 10,000 years. recovered artifacts link to a civilization called the Mississippian Culture living in the region . . . — — Map (db m156035) HM
Near Junaluska Road north of Morphew Street, on the right when traveling north.
According to the provisions of an 1819 treaty with the United States, Junaluska applied for 640 acres at Sugar Creek near Franklin, NC when his land was usurped by white squatters. He moved to the remaining portion of the Cherokee Nation. — — Map (db m209706) HM
Near Junaluska Road north of Morphew Street, on the right when traveling north.
Here lie the bodies of the Cherokee Chief, Junaluska, and Nicie, his wife. Together with his warriors he saved the life of General Jackson, at The Battle of Horseshoe Bend, and for his bravery and faithfulness, North Carolina made him a citizen, and . . . — — Map (db m209701) HM
On East Main Street (County Route 1106) at Court Street, on the right when traveling west on East Main Street.
During the Civil War, Graham Country (the part of Cherokee County) offered scant support to the secessionist cause, although both ardent Confederates and staunch Unionists lived here. The region was not financially dependent on slavery. Most . . . — — Map (db m75453) HM
On Cherohala Skyway (State Highway 143) 4 miles west of Santeelah Raod, on the right when traveling west.
Do you enjoy the beauty of these mountains? Imagine living here with your family when all-of-a-sudden soldiers explode into your house and force you out at gunpoint! That is exactly what happened to 16,000 people when, in 1838, the U.S. Government . . . — — Map (db m209715) HM
Near Joyce Kilmer Road (County Road 1134) 0.6 miles west of Santeetlah Road (County Road 1127).
Joyce Kilmer165th Infantry, Rainbow Division, soldier and poet, author of “Trees,” born in New Brunswick, N.J., December 6, 1886; killed in action in France July 30, 1918. This memorial was initiated by Bozeman Bulger Post, . . . — — Map (db m160526) HM WM
Near Junaluska Road north of Morphew Street, on the right when traveling north.
War with the Creeks:
Junaluska, the Cherokee who saved Andrew Jackson;s life and made him a national hero, lived to regret it. Born in North Carolina mountains around 1776, he made his name and his fame among his own people in the War of . . . — — Map (db m209710) HM
Near Junaluska Road north of Morphew Street, on the right when traveling north.
In 1813, when the Cherokees raised 636 men to aid Americans fighting the Creeks, Junaluska personally recruited over 100 men. At The Battle of Horseshoe Bend, his actions turned the tide when he swam the Tallapoosa River, retrieving Creek canoes and . . . — — Map (db m209707) HM
Near Junaluska Road north of Morphew Street, on the right when traveling north.
During removal in 1838, Junaluska was assigned to Jessee Brushyhead's detachment about seven weeks into the journey Junaluska deserted leading about 50 Cherokees. Although captured and taken to Oklahoma, within a couple of years Junaluska walked . . . — — Map (db m209708) HM
Near Junaluska Road north of Morphew Street, on the right when traveling north.
By a special act in 1846, the N.C. Legislature recognized Junaluska for his distinguished service to the U.S. and granted him 337 acres, North Carolina citizenship, and $100. Although never a chief, Junaluska was a respected leader who symbolizes . . . — — Map (db m209702) HM
Near Junaluska Road north of Morphew Street, on the right when traveling north.
Although Junaluska's meeting with Tecumseh at Soco Gap in 1811 cannot be verified, he certainly sent word to Tecumseh that the Cherokees would not join an Indian Confederacy against the Whites. — — Map (db m209705) HM
Near Junaluska Road north of Morphew Street, on the right when traveling north.
A few days after his birth he was given his first name when the cradle board holding him fell over, he was called Gu-Ka-Las-Ki (one who falls from a leaning position). Later, after an unsuccessful military venture, he received the name . . . — — Map (db m209704) HM
On Cherohala Skyway (State Highway 143) 1 mile west of Old Santeetlah Raod, on the right when traveling west.
This western edge of the Appalachian Mountains is called the Unicom Range, Unicom is taken from the Cherokee word "unega," which means "white," "misty" or "smoky." These mountains were given this name because the abundant rainfall and high humidity . . . — — Map (db m209716) HM
On Tapoco Road (U.S. 129) 1.8 miles south of Meadow Branch Road (County Route 1247), on the left when traveling north.
The Cheoah River can be a tranquil forest stream…or a whitewater torrent.
The flow of the Cheoah River between Santeetlah Dam and Calderwood Lake is carefully controlled by planned releases of water from Santeetlah Dam. For most of the . . . — — Map (db m189218) HM
On Joyce Kilmer Road (County Highway 1134) at Santeelah Dam Road (County Highway 1146), on the left when traveling north on Joyce Kilmer Road.
The Cheoah River can be a tranquil forest stream…or a whitewater torrent.
The flow of the Cheoah River between Santeetlah Dam and Calderwood Lake is carefully controlled by planned releases of water from Santeetlah Dam. For most of the . . . — — Map (db m190817) HM
On Tapoco Road (U.S. 129) 1.5 miles west of Yellow Creek Road (County Highway 1242), on the left when traveling north.
The Cheoah River can be a tranquil forest stream…or a whitewater torrent.
The flow of the Cheoah River between Santeetlah Dam and Calderwood Lake is carefully controlled by planned releases of water from Santeetlah Dam. For most of the . . . — — Map (db m190818) HM