Just across the bridge from downtown Murphy, this marker points out a small piece of history that…read morebecame the incident known as the "Trail of Tears" when the native population was forcibly moved across the country. America, eh? The marker reads, "One of forts in which Gen. Winfield Scott gathered the Cherokee before moving them west in 1838. Stood 1/4 mile southwest." and it was erected in 1987 by the North Carolina Archives and Highway Departments. Online, there is more information. The marker explains that the 1830 Indian Removal Act and the disputed 1835 Treaty of New Echota set in motion the forced removal of the Cherokee despite the treaty being signed by only a small, unauthorized group. In 1838 President Martin Van Buren directed General Winfield Scott and thousands of troops to round up about 15,000 Cherokee and confine them in hastily built camps where disease killed more than 1,500 people. Several forts in western North Carolina, including Fort Butler near present‑day Murphy, served as temporary internment sites during this roundup. Between mid‑June and mid‑July 1838, more than 3,000 Cherokee passed through Fort Butler as they were forced west along the Unicoi Turnpike at the beginning of the Trail of Tears. While we've had The Indian Citizenship Act (1924), The Indian Reorganization Act (1934) and The Indian Civil Rights Act (1968), the underlying dynamics of government power, land pressure and political convenience still show up in modern forms. Just look at pipeline routes pushed through tribal land, water rights battles, and long legal fights over reservation boundaries. Yay? [Review 515 of 2026 - 4610 in North Carolina - 25697 overall]

Located in the center of Hayesville, this marker points out another dark time in American history…read more I was glad to see the marker and the reminder of the past. The marker reads, "One of the forts where General Winfield Scott's United States forces gathered the Cherokee before moving them west, stood 3/4 miles northwest." It is marker number Q-15 and it was erected in 1939 by the Department of Conservation and Development. Online, there is more information about the 1830 Indian Removal Act and the disputed 1835 Treaty of New Echota that set in motion the forced removal of the Cherokee, despite the treaty being signed by a small group without full tribal authority. In 1838, President Martin Van Buren ordered General Winfield Scott and thousands of troops to round up roughly 15,000 Cherokee people and confine them in hastily built camps where disease was rampant and more than 1,500 died. From these North Carolina forts, including Fort Hembree at present‑day Hayesville, Cherokee families were sent west toward Tennessee and ultimately Oklahoma. Hayesville later developed on the former site of Fort Hembree, which had served as the main gathering point for Cherokee from what is now Clay County. [Review 510 of 2026 - 4605 in North Carolina - 25692 overall]

This marker is on the corner near the Graham County Courthouse and points out the brief history of…read morea Native American who became one of the most remembered Cherokee figures in the region. The sign summarizes Junaluska as a Cherokee warrior who fought for the United States during the Creek War in 1814. It notes that the state granted him both citizenship and land in 1847, and that his grave lies about one mile southwest of the courthouse. Standing there at the intersection of North Main Street and East Main Street in Robbinsville, the marker anchors Junaluska's story to the landscape where he spent his final years. His life threads through the Cherokee homeland, the violence of the Creek War, and the upheaval of Removal, before returning to the Cheoah valley near present-day Robbinsville. While legend often expands his story, the marker keeps to the verifiable record: a respected Cherokee leader, a documented participant in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, and a man whose later years were tied to the land North Carolina granted him. It is marker number Q-2 and it was erected in 2008 by the North Carolina Office of Archives and History. [Review 520 of 2026 - 4615 in North Carolina - 25702 overall]

An absolutely gorgeous facility with an equally stunning view…read more I accompanied some friends. They attended a meeting, I just hung out enjoying the grounds. I chatted a bit with the most charming and informative Sheila at the desk. She gave me a lot of great information. She also provided a good restaurant recommendation, of which we partook and thoroughly enjoyed. Next visit to the area I'll definitely stop in and dine at The View Restaurant onsite. It's closed on Mondays. In the immediate future, the entire place will be transformed into a Christmas Wonderland. I may just make an excuse to make another road trip.

The Granny Squirrel Covered Bridge has a name that sounds like it wandered out of a tall tale and…read morehonestly that might be the most dramatic thing about it because despite the folksy title, it isn't really a bridge at all. It's more like a short decorative walkway tucked into the roadside with a roof that gives it the vibe of a covered bridge without actually carrying anything over water. But the quirky name and the quiet little setting make it one of those stops that's fun precisely because it feels a bit odd and a bit charming at the same time. [Round number review 25700 overall - 518 of 2026 - 4613 in North Carolina]

Been going to the Topton USPS just about every day for 3+ years to drop off outgoing mail. Can't…read moreleave it in my mailbox due to theft. Small post office but very friendly and helpful.

I grew up just down the road from the Topton Post Office and I can honestly say it is lacking. They…read moreonly have one postmaster and often times the mail is not sorted by 10 am or 11 am. This is not the fault of the postmaster, it is simply understaffing. My parents had two mailboxes at this particular location and anytime I would get magazines or comic books in the mail the would be bent or creased which obviously is not what I was hoping. There are only about 150 mailboxes at this particular Post Office. Many of the locals get mail delivered but it is an extremely remote part of the country. In many of my other Topton/Nantahala reviews I mention that cell phone service is non existent. There are no restaurants or gas stations in Topton either. If you decide to move to this part of the country please be aware of the fact that technology is non existent. It is one of the most beautiful parts of the country but they are a little bit behind the times. When I visit I will have zero cell phone coverage for well over 20 miles. The Post Office is what it is. You cannot expect it to have all the amenities of the newer post offices in progressive areas.

We came out here to the visitor center which is located in an old train caboose. Blue Ridge is a…read morebeautiful and is there are lots of great scenic self-guided trails that you can take and we wanted to come here to see where was what and what else there was to do besides picking apples, shopping and eating homemade fudge...not that we're complaining. Darlene was amazing and give us tons of ideas and pointers. There are lots of great maps, postcards, brochures and even coffee here. All free...there is also a public rest room nearby (not in the welcome center itself but a few yards away)

Came to Brasstown Bald Observation Tower for the views and it was a sight to see! It's not everyday…read more(at least where I live) that you can stand in such a high place and be able to see mountains spanning across 4 different states. The entry fee was 8 per adult (kids are free) which also includes a van ride to the overlook. Or you can choose to hike which wasn't a long hike but steep from what I saw. A must do for anyone visiting the area! Ohh... and make sure you watch the little movie at the top, it's very cool to see how one place is its own little world in different seasons and the history behind the place.

The current Brasstown Bald observation tower was built in 1965, replacing an earlier stone tower…read morethat was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1935. The original 1935 stone tower was torn down in 1947 and replaced with a steel tower before the current structure was built - we'll folks looks like it's time to build another tower this one is in a state of disrepair. I came here to observe 4 states from the highest point in Georgia, but apparently the observation tower is in such bad shape that it is now closed to the public and your adventure will end after climbing a few flights of stairs ending at the base of the observation deck yeah there's a view from the lower level but in my opinion not worth the price of admission. Thankfully there's a shuttle van that takes you from the parking lot level to the top it runs about ever 10 minutes, our driver was very friendly and tried his best to entertain us during the short drive to the top but there's not much to say - the museum at the top is okay and takes about 2 minutes to tour it then time you walk the lower deck and wait for the shuttle back down - I purchased a refrigerator magnet for the RV from the gift shop and headed for the truck. I guess I am fortunate that I came and saw this, although it was never on my bucket list, I'm still trying to figure out why there's an old train engine in the museum it's quite the anachronism...