Cherokee County, North Carolina

Communities and Points of Interest:

Murphy, North Carolina
Andrews, North Carolina
Peachtree, North Carolina
Culberson, North Carolina
Ranger, North Carolina
Unaka, North Carolina
Violet, North Carolina
Marble, North Carolina
Suit, North Carolina
Ranger, North Carolina
Hiwassee Village, North Carolina
Tomotla, North Carolina
Oak Park, North Carolina
Postell, North Carolina
Topton, North Carolina
Brasstown, North Carolina
Hiwassee Dam Community
Martins Creek Community
Bear Paw Community
Lake Hiawassee
Lake Nantahala
Lake Apalachia
Hiawassee River
Nottely River
Valley River
Cherokee National Forest
Nantahala National Forest
Tellico Plains National Forest
Joyce Kilmer National Forest
Cherohala Skyway
John C. Campbell Folk School
Nantahala Gorge White Water Rafting
Tellico Plains Off Highway Vehicles Trails
Snowbird Mountains
Trail of Tears
Hanging Dog Recreation Area

History

A short history of the area starts in 1540 when DeSoto and his men explored the area that was inhabited by the Cherokee Indians. They were in search of Gold. Evidence of this has been found in old tunnels, shafts, Spanish Coat of Arms markings and coin molds found a long the river banks. In the early 1800 President Andrew Jackson sent 7,000 troops into western North Carolina who built six forts to over see the removal of the Cherokee Indians to Oklahoma. The largest of these forts was Fort Butler which later became Murphy, North Carolina. The removal of the Cherokee Indians became know as “The Trail Of Tears” Logging became the first in the area and was the primary means of making a living. The first church in the area was built in 1869 and is still standing, Harshaw Chapel a Methodist Church now a historic site. The present courthouse, the fourth, is built from marble quarried from the county and is 70 years old. In 1922 the first paved highway opened from Murphy to the Georgia line and in 1926 the road from Murphy to Asheville opened. In 1936 the Tennessee Valley Authority started construction on the Hiawassee Dam. The Hiawassee, Valley and Nottely Rivers supply water to form Lake Hiawassee which starts in Murphy and with Lake Apalachia extends to the Tennessee Border. Currently the population of Cherokee County is 25,000 with it swelling during the Spring, Summer and Fall seasons. A list of National Register of Historic Places Include:

John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC
John Franklin Cobb House in Belleview, NC
Cherokee County Courthouse in Murphy, NC
Robert Lafayette Cooper House in Murphy, NC
Franklin Pierce Cover House in Andrews, NC
Harshaw Chapel and Cemetery in Murphy, NC
The Walker Inn in Andrews, NC

Weather

The weather in Murphy/Andrews and the surrounding Cherokee County area mild. Winter starts December 16 and ends March 14. Temperatures at night may range from 10 to 20 degrees, especially during January and February. March is unpredictable and signals that spring is just around the corner. Daytime temperatures reach the 50’s but the humidity level is very low. We do get a little snow during this period but tends the melt off within a day.

Spring starts March 15 and ends June 15 and it brings new life to the Mountains. Early morning frost is common but soon melts when the sun comes up. Mornings are chilly but soon warm up to a very comfortable 65 to 75 degrees. Night time temperatures range from 40 to 50 degrees. Perfect weather for a light coat or sweater.

Summer starts June 16 and ends September 15. Summer turns the bold beauty of the rugged mountains to emerald green. Night temperature range from 55 to 65 degree, with day temperature ranging from 70 to 80 degrees in the higher elevations.

Fall starts September 16 and ends December 15. Fall announces the arrival of the leak season. A collage of brilliant colors, painting the mountains with red and gold, peak in mid to late October. Temperatures at night range from 30 to 40 degrees in higher elevations Snow is possible at the higher elevation during this period. Temperature during the day range from 60 to 70 during September ad October and 30 to 40 in December. Humidity is very low.

Things to Do

Lake Hiawassee; Boating, Fishing, Skiing and most all water sports. The Lake starts in Murphy and goes toward the North Carolina and Tennessee border. The lake is approximately 25 miles long and is served by four public marinas, On the north side is Shooks and Dukes Marinas and on the south side are Mountain View Marina and Harbor Cove.

Lake Apalachia; Is the lower portion of Hiawassee Dam and extends to the North Carolina and Tennessee border. Boating, Fishing, Skiing and all other water sports are enjoyed.

Lake Nantahala; accessible from Andrews, North Carolina one of the higher elevation lake in Western North Carolina and is also used for Boating, Fishing, Skiing and most other water sports.

Lake Nantahala supplies water for the Nantahala Gorge white water rafting venue. Rafting on Nantahala River is and experience that is enjoyed by all age groups, I suggest the you contact one of the many White Water rafting companies that supply boats and guides for a great experience. The Nantahala River is also a State maintained Trout river and is excellent native and stocked trout fishing.

Mileage from Major Cities to Murphy, North Carolina

It becomes apparent after looking at this information that Murphy and Cherokee County is at the hub of traveling to or from any of these cities in one day or less.

Fishing:
There are my places to fish in Cherokee County; Lake Hiawassee, Lake Apalachia, Lake Nantahala and Lake Cherokee in addition to Nantahala, Nottely, Hiawassee and Valley Rivers, Brasstown Creek is also considered a promising place to fish. These are location that are in Cherokee County and does not include the surrounding lakes, rivers and creeks.

Golf:
Cherokee Hills Golf Club is located in Murphy and is a public course. This is a 18 hole course. In the surrounding counties there are:
Butternut Creek Golf Course in Blairsville, Georgia; This is a 18 hole public course
Chatuge Shores Golf Course in Hayesville, North Carolina; This is a 18 hole public course
Copper Basin Golf Club in Copperhill, Tennessee; This is a 9 hole public course.
The Ridges Country Club in Hayesville, North Carolina; This is a 18 hole public course
Brasstown Valley Country Club in Young Harris, Georgia; This is an 18 hole public course.

White Water Rafting:
Nantahala Gorge white water rafting venue. This is a section of the Nantahala River that has 1 to 3 rated rapids and can be great family fun with out being too hazardous.

Ocoee River Gorge in Copperhill, Tennessee, This area is about 15 miles from Murphy and offers #3 rated white water rafting. Great family fun for teenagers to adventurous senior citizens.

If you would like additional information call or email me and I’ll point you in the right direction.