23 TALES OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA LORE & LEGENDS

One of the best parts of our job is that we regularly get to introduce people to the area and share the stories behind our vibrant, one-of-a-kind communities. This year, we will be showcasing a total of 23 Tales of Western North Carolina in our magazine. We hope you enjoy this story-telling series and that by the end of the year everyone feels like a local!

1 - THE ROAD TO NOWHERE

The short story behind “The Road to Nowhere” goes something like this. As Great Smoky Mountains National Park took shape in the 1930’s and 1940’s, some long-standing communities were abandoned by residents who had to move as once private land become public. Along with their homes went the roads into some of these communities.

This brings us to Old Highway 288, now hidden deep under the waters of Fontana Lake. You see, the lake serves as the reservoir for Fontana Dam, built as part of a TVA power project during World War II. When Old Highway 288 was submerged to help form the lake, a promise was made to replace the highway with a new road called Lakeview Drive, stretching 30 miles along the shores of Fontana Lake from Bryson City to Fontana. This road was especially important to displaced residents because it would provide access to old family cemeteries.

But alas, after 6 miles of the new road was built and the landmark tunnel created, construction hit a snag and the whole project was deemed too expensive to finish. The construction project was utterly abandoned. Henceforth, Lakeview Drive became known as “The Road to Nowhere.”

Of course, we now know that not all was lost. Fast forward to today and The Road to Nowhere is a popular destination for residents and tourists. Be sure to download the brochure to learn even more about this unique area. And when you go, listen carefully. Rumor has it, you can still hear whispers of early 20th century residents trying to find their way home and pay their respects to their ancestors.

2 - PLACE OF THE BLUE SMOKE

One of the favorite questions we get asked is “Why are they called the Great Smoky Mountains?” The answer to this question requires a quick journey back in time coupled with a healthy dose of scientific curiosity.

The native Cherokee people called the area Shaconage, which translates to “place of the blue smoke.” European settlers drew from this in translating the name to “Smoky Mountains.” The “Great” was added later to capture the sense of grandeur about the mountain range. A hike to the top of one of our many peaks or view from one of the GSMNP Live Web Cams will show you why these name variations are well suited, because indeed on most days you will observe a mist or fog over the mountain range.

So, what causes this mystical phenomenon? It turns out that native plants blanketing the forest floor release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the form of a bluish-tinted vapor. The number of plants releasing these vapors is so significant that they collectively create the signature effect of smoke gently resting above the treetops of the mountain range. And don’t worry, the vapors are safe! You can enjoy the scenery while you take in the fresh, mountain air.

3 - WE GAVE WEBSTER BUNK (noun). YOU’RE WELCOME.

One of the great Western North Carolina counties we serve is Buncombe County, home to the communities of Asheville, Leicester, Black Mountain, Avery Creek, Bent Creek, Biltmore Forest, Fairview, Montreat, Royal Pines, Swannanoa, Weaverville and Woodfin.

It turns out, this beautiful county made a colorful contribution to the English dictionary all thanks to a loquacious chap by the name of Felix Walker. In the early 1800’s, Walker was elected to represent Western North Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives. During a congressional debate about the Missouri Compromise, Walker took advantage of the spotlight and insisted on giving a speech to show his constituents he was hard at work for them in Washington. His long-winded, non- sequitur remarks exhausted everyone, and without shame he later admitted that he was “speaking to Buncombe” not the House. In response, it is said that a colleague remarked "Walker's speech was buncombe--no doubt about it."

The word buncombe caught on and was later reduced to “bunkum” and then “bunk.” You can find the word Bunk safely secured in Webster dictionary now, defined as “nonsense; language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense.” Click here to learn more about Walker.

4 - MEET OUR FURRY FORECASTERS

A fall hike through the Great Smoky Mountains will likely lead to sightings of our favorite furry forecasters, Woolly bear caterpillars. Local lore has it that coloration of the little larva’s fur is indicative of the severity of the upcoming winter. The caterpillar has 13 bands, which people correlate to the 13 weeks of winter. The darker the banks, the more severe the impending winter. Click here to view predictions made about this winter based on the reading of “Porta Potty,” the Woolly bear winner of the 45th Annual

5 - JUDACULLA ROCK

We now jump from a tale of small creatures to a much, much taller tale! In Jackson County, resting near a river, is a remarkable soapstone rock covered in over a thousand ancient carvings. Archaeologists surmise the carvings were made over the course of centuries. This is where the science ends, and the legends begin.

The name of the rock itself, Judaculla, stems from an interpretation of the Cherokee word Tsul`kälû´. Tsul`kälû´ was the name of a giant that lived in the area and had control over wind, rain, thunder, and lighting. Some believe the carvings were hunting laws the giant laid out for the Cherokee to follow. Others believe the more recent carvings map out ideal hunting grounds. Still there are tales of the sacred rock serving as a stepping between the spiritual and physical world. Click here to learn more about Judaculla, and plan a visit so you can draw your own conclusions.