A PAGE ABOUT THE AREA DEVOTED TO
information For Visitors
naaar*
Rugged Smokies Termed
Vacationists Paradise
By BILL SHARPE
It U significant that "The Great
Smokies" is the hative term for
this range. Sometimes "Moun
tains" is added, but it is suf er
fiuous: everyone knows what "Great
Smokies" means.
"Great" is not a word which
comes freely to the mountaineer, j
but it is uttered with ease when he ;
talks about his home; it is both an
unfamiliar and superlative adjec
tive
The Great Smokies comprise the
greatest mountain mass east of the
Black Hills of South Dakota, and!
their descriptive title comes both
from their majesty and from the
deep blue haze rising from valley
and gorges, usually hovering about
the peaks, a haze which is the des
p^ir of photographers except on a
lew days in the year.
They are formed in this wise:
The Appalachians flow in a south-1
westerly direction until they reach
the North Carolina-Virginia line
Then they inexplicabl\ divide into
two main divisions. Veering slight
ly to the east continues the Blue
Ridge. Marching on southwester
ly are the Great Smokies. Between
them is a plateau, sometimes 30
miles in extent, but which is cross
ridged by offshoots from the main
ridges in a confusion of valleys and
mountains and shelves. At the
Georgia-North Carolina border the
two meandering systems are re
solved again, leveling off in North
Georgia into a series of hills.
While about 401.000 acres of the
Great Smokies are embraced in the
Gnat Smoky Mountains National
Hark, the term in general applies
to much of the Tennessee-North
Carolina border lying outside Park
boundaries. Kor 30 miles, the
ridge of the system is a series of
peaks more than 5.000 feet high.
Sixteen of the peaks are more than
6.000 feet in altitude.
Almost within walking distance '
of old and settled communities. .
large portions of the Great Smokies I
until 25 or 30 years ago were almost I
unknown, and even today, the
mountains remain largely in an '
aboriginal state A generation ago.
agitation was begun to preserve the
area as an outdoor playground for j
Americans?a movement wmcn re
sulted in the creation of the Na
tional Park.
Development of the Park has
been very slow, and few visitors
have had an opportunity to see
much of the motor roads which
cross it. Most populac drive is
over Highway 107 to Newfound
Gap, where there is a parking area
and other facilities; thence over a
scenic ride to Clingman's Dome,
-oaring 6,642 feet above sea level.
From the parking area here, it is a
? hort walk to a look-out tower.
Hardier sightseers may take to
the trails, of which 675 miles are
jpen to riders or hikers. There
ire established camp grounds in
the Park, and the Appalachian
Makae-to-Georgia) Trail traverses
much of the area, providing lean-to
-helters. Six hundred miles of
rout stream?some of it very fine
?are open lo fishing under Park!(
regulations.
Wilderness travelers should con
sult with Park rangers at Gatlin
burg, Tennessee, or Smokemontj
N. C., before venturing into prim- j
eval areas.
Even the casual motorist is likely
to come upon game, especially the
black bear. There are also some
white-tailed deer, red fox. raccoon,
bobcat and a host of small game.
The Park lists 50 species of fur
bearing animals, 200 fowls, 34 rep
tiles, 36 amphibians, and 60 fishes
is habitats of the territory.
Largest remnant of the eastern
aboriginal forests, the Park is a]
botanists' paradise. Each year,
hundreds of nature students, pro
fessional and amateur, penetrate
nto the wilderness of the Park to
study floral features.
The area is a meeting place of
plants, including flora character
istic of the South and of Canada.
f\i least iau native tree species
have been identified, and in addi
tion 18 exotics are of known oe
;urrence. About 20 of the number
tre shrubs, but in this section they
tssume aborescent dimensions. The
mountain laurel, for instance, fre
quently assumes three dimensions
md one specimen has a buttress of
32 inces in diameter. Other giant
rees are chestnut, red maple,
juckeye, cherry, hemlock, spruce,
vellow birch, tulip. The Park in
?ludes the most extensive forest
>f virgin red spruce and unspoiled
tardwoods in the United States, j
pr>d approximately 200,000 acres is
in its original forested condition.
The more than 1200 kinds of!
flowering plants which are known
to grow in the park include many
species of shrubs; among these are
such spectacular flowers as the
rose-purple rhododendrons, white
rhododendrons, flame azalea, moun
tain laurel, and sand myrtle. These
reach their highest bloom in late
spring and early summer. Alto
gether at least 3600 kinds of plants
make their home here, thereby
making this one of the richest floral;
areas in the temperate zone.
From early spring unti late fall,
the Smokies present a kaleidoscope
of color. The most brilliant pres- j
entation is in June when the purple
rhododendron bursts into bloom.
In May, June and July other rho
dodendron, flame azaleas and moup
tain laurel have their seasons.
Innumerable wild flowers carpet
the hillsides and coves, some of
them persisting beyond the ordi
nary "growing season" of the moun
tains.
After the summer tourist has fled(
however, the Smokies put on one
of their most spectacular displays
?a display enjoyed most by aut
umnal hikers. In October the
broad-leafed trees blaze into a riot
of color, sending long fingers of
color far up into the black and
I green forested evergreen peeks.
But it makes no difference?The
Smokies remain truly "great" at
any season they are visited.
They Come Back For Seconds
Three squares a day at the sound of the ranch house bell is the order in Western North Carolina,
where mountain air whets appetites. (Photo by John G. Hemmer).
I
ANTIQUES
LAMPS
GLASS - CHINA
BRIC-A-BRAC
We Specialize In
Lamp Wiring and Mount
ing. Bring Us Your
Vases, Jugs, Urns, Coffee
Grinders, etc. To
Be Converted Into
Lamps.
ELY ANTIQUE SHOP
Soco Gap Road ? U. S. 19
5 mi. West of
Lake Junaluska
MIANF
i u. ?# m j
BOTTLED AND
| METERED
\ SERVICE
GAS
APPLIANCES
SALES & SERVICE
Domestic or
Commercial
Installations
CALL 936
MOODY
RULANE, Inc.
902 N. Main '
WHITMAN'S
BAKERY
113 Main Street
For A Snack To Eat On
The Street Or In The
Car ? Shop At
WHITMAN'S
Special Orders
Call 343
Supreme In Quality
ffiiltmote
DAI KY FAIVMS
cordially invites
your patronage.
DAIRY BAR
Open 9 A. M. - 10 P. M.
BILTMORE
DAIRY OFFICE
Lake Junaluaka
NIKKI O'CONNOR S
POTTERY PLACE
The Little Shop With The
Great Big Stock
Authentic North Carolina
lland-Turned Pottery
ON SOCO GAP ROAD (U. S. 19)
5 Miles West of Lake Junaluska
EXPERT WHEEL BALANCING
Is a specialty with us!
INSIST ON THE BEST ? GET
SINCLAIR
# GAS
# OILS
# LUBRICANTS
PHONE 1144 FOB ROAD SERVICE
Norman's Sinclair Service
Main Street Waynearille
i_ ! ---
~
Enjoy A Conducted Sightseeing
Tour Through
THE SMOKIES
Experienced. Well Informed Conductor-Driven
SMOKY MOUNTAIN TOURS CO.
Phone Asbeville 1 4 488 Geo. VanderbUt Hotel
Keservatlona May Be Made Through The
WAYNESVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
fc..;.'. ?
HOWELL'S
ESSO SERVICE
(?"<>)
VHuiiy
Tires - Batteries - Accessories
Expert Lubrication
Washing . Waxing
| TEL. 9197
Sandwiches Milk Shakes
Steaks - Chops - Chicken
CURB SERVICE
JUNALUSKA
DRIVE-IN
Intersection lUrhway 19-2X4
Real Pit Barbecue
EARL SCRUGGS
Owner-Operator
I
i
I
* Haywood County's best equipped Radio
and TV Service Shop
* Haywood County's most complete stock
of Tubes and Parts .
* Haywood County's most experienced
Radio and TV Technicians
WAYNESVILLE RADld SERVICE
116 Miller Street Phone 1066
COME TO
LAKE JUNALUSKA
3 Miles From Waynesville
Ride The
"CHEROKEE 2nd"
Adults 40c ? Children 14. 25c
? MWf- "
I REGULAR TRIPS 5:00 & 7:00 P. M.
SPECIAL TRIPS BY APPOINTMENT
WOOL RUGS
HAND HOOKED
Any Slw or Color Midr To Order
You Are Cordially Invited To
tome In And Browse Around
BRANCH'S HOUSE OF CRAFTS
U. S. II Adjacent West Entrance to Lake Junaluska
1
Removal Of Cherokees In
1838 Was Trail of Tears'
i
M. . . Early In June . . . about Ave
thousand persons wore brought
down to CalbotM . . . and
Chattanooga, where they were put
upon steamers and transported i
down the Tennessee ... to the
farther side of the Mississippi,
where the journey was continued
by land to Indian Territory. This
removal, in the hottest part of the
year, was attended with so great
sickness and mortality that by reso
lution of the Cherokee Council.
Ross and the other Chiefs submit
ted to General Scott a proposition
that the Cherokee be allowed to
remove themselves in the fall, after
the sickly season had ended. This
was granted on condition that all
should have started by the 20th of
October, except tlie sick and aged
who might not be able to move so
rapidly. . . In this way the remain
der, enrolled at about 13.000 . . .
started on the long march overland
late in the fall. . .
"... In October, 1823, the long
procession of exiles was set in mo
tion ... nearly all of the 13.000
went overland. Crossing to the
Hiwassee at a ferry above Gun
stoeker Creek they proceeded down
along the river, the sick, the old
people, and the smaller children,
with the blankets, cooking pots,
and other belongings in wagons,
the rest on foot or on horses. The
number of wagons was 645.
"It was like the march of an
army, regiment after regiment, the
wagons in the center, the officers
nlnnr* ?!*?? 1 i nn<4 (ha
diuiig n*cr tine, aim me nui ociuiii
on the flanks and at the rear . . ?
The route lay . . . through MeMin-'
nville and on to Nashville, where
the Cumberland was crossed. Then
they went on to Hopkinsville, Ken
tucky, where the noted chief.
White-path, In charge of a detach-1
ment, sickened and died. His peo-j
pie buried him by the roadside . .
Somewhere along that march of
death?for the exiles died by tens
and twenties every day of the jour
ney?the devoted wife of John
Ross sank down, leaving him to
go on with the bitter pain of be
reavement added to heartbreak at
the ruin of his nation. The Ohio
was crossed . . . and the army pass
ed on through southern Illinois
until the Mississippi was reached
opposite Cape Girardeau. Missouri.
It was now the middle of winter,
with the river running full of ice
. . . with hundreds of the sick and
dying penned up in wagons or
stretched out upon the ground with
only a blanket overhead to keep
out the January blast. The crossing
was made . . . whence the march
was on through Missouri to Indian
territory. . . At last their destina
tion was reached. They had start
ed in October, 1838, and it was
now March. 1839. the journey hav
ing occupied nearly six months of
the hardest part of the year.
"It is difficult to arrive at any
accurate statement of the number
HOMESPl * J
The co-it ume* of
These Hills Is
spun material gJTI
hundred >ears a{0fl
settlers. It was
tor this pi odurta^^B
to the Assocutioi h^|
Scrope Vmer. ? T9
soft, fluffy material^
used today.
of Cherokee ?hU( J
of the Removal j3
cial figures thoee^H
under the directm*
over I.6O0 on thtil
proportionate
those previously r^l
ably greater. ^9
the stockades
chiefly by reasoa 9
furnished. . .
died soon after
Indian territoy.
over 4.000 Chero^|
direct result of thefl
Charles Servicl
Road Service fl
Washing ? Waxing ? Lubriratita 1
DAYTON TIKES & TUBES I
Batteries and Accessories
Phone 402-J Charles Balemial
*7lie ^lo-ume cJtaule G?CDI
main street waynesville
open year round
all home cooked foods
how^i
superbly served
telphone 11 1-m
mrs. sam h. JONES owners-operators MRS. JAMEStH
Duncan Hines and AAA ReiunimenMI
??1
You Will Enjoy Yifl
VACATION M
1
QUEEN?
FARM & DUDE RANCH I
Horseback Riding ? Hiking ? Square DaH
DINING ROOM Open To hi
3 Miles From Waynesville on IlighwajH
WELCOME YOU'UNS !!! I
Glad to see you! Let we'uns fret over ya burn
You'uns Just enjoy these lovely hills - - - Brins !??
Backer and come set with us awhile - - - I
YOU'UNS COME, NOW - - ?
Waynesville Pure Oil ServiB
Opposite Court House ? ? Main Street 1
Phone 646 CarlM^|
You Will Enjoy
Our
HOME BAKED
PIES
and our Delirious
STEAKS
PLOTT
GRILL
Highway 19 ? 8 Miles West
of Waynesville
Operated By
MRS. H. C. GR1SWOLD
2 - AUCTION SALES DJUll
10:30 A.M.- 8 P.M. I
Exceptional Gifts At Each Sale I
THE LARGEST COLLECTIOI
Of ART IN THE SOUTBll
? I _
s Watches, Sterling, English Ph?
eissen, Dresden, Crown Derby, Persian Rugs, Linens, ?
Paintings, China, Lamps, etc. I
ask to see our collection of silver made i
by "george jensen"
Many Exquisite Pieces From The Henry Ford Eslate. I
?s Is Our 20th Consecutive Year in Waynesvillc I
WAYNESVILLE ART GALLEBl
153 Main Street Jame9 Mann Qwner
Mr. S. Walker and E. Sherwtn, Assistant Auctioneers
^