Franklin, North Carolina

For thousands of years before the first European settlers arrived to the mountains of southwestern North Carolina, they were home to the Cherokee Indian Nation and their indigenous ancestors. In a valley surrounded by some of the oldest mountains on earth, the Cherokee called this area "Nikwasi", or "center of activity". Nikwasi was an ancient and important Cherokee town, centered around an ancient platform mound believed to be at least 1000 years old. The Cherokee developed a new kind of public architecture, building their townhouse on top of the mound, regularly replacing it and gradually adding to the mound.[7] In the 21st century, the remains of Nikwasi Mound are still visible in downtown Franklin, marking the location of the Cherokee people's townhouse.[8]

While the mound was probably built by ancestors of the historic Cherokee during the earlier Mississippian Culture period, it was the spiritual center of the area. A Council House, or Town House, used for councils, religious ceremonies, and general meetings, was built on top the mound. The Cherokee kept the ever-burning sacred fire there, which they had kept burning since the beginning of their culture. The mound was a most revered site.[9] In 1819 the Cherokee were forced from their town to Qualla Boundary. The federally recognized tribe of Eastern Band of Cherokee based there has been working to acquire sacred lands and mounds in this region.

The city was named by European-American settlers for Jesse Franklin, one of two state commissioners who surveyed and organized the town in 1820 as the county seat, for what would become Macon County in 1828. Jesse Franklin was later elected by the state legislature as the United States Senator from North Carolina (popular election of senators did not become custom until the 20th century). He was later elected and served North Carolina as its 20th governor. The city of Franklin was not formally incorporated until 1855.[10]

In 1946, the people of Franklin raised money to buy the site of Nikwasi Mound and vowed to preserve it. Schoolchildren were among those who donated money to buy it from one of the many private owners who had held it since the Cherokee were forced from their historic town.

The Veterans Memorial Board of Directors in Macon County constructed a memorial at the county's recreation park in Franklin of the same name, The Macon County Veterans Memorial Park. It is intended to honor the veterans of Macon County who served the United States.[11]

Franklin's rate of population growth is 12% higher than the national average.[17] Located in the Great Smoky Mountains, Franklin is situated more than one hour from Asheville. It is two hours from Atlanta, Georgia; Knoxville, Tennessee; or Greenville, South Carolina. Due to its proximity to these major cities, combined with a relatively rural location and lower cost of living, Franklin has developed as a destination for persons seeking retirement, recreational, permanent, or second homes. The 2010 cost-of-living index in Franklin: 86.7 (less than average, U.S. average is 100).[17]

The mountains that surround Franklin are lined with many hiking trails including the famous Appalachian Trail. The AT runs north and south, passing 10 miles west of Franklin; it can be accessed at many locations in the area. Some 40 miles of side trails interlace with the AT in the region as well.

Another, lesser known trail also passes through the area: Bartram Trail, named for American botanist William Bartram, who documented the native flora and fauna of the area in 1775. Bartram Trail climbs into the hills of the Franklin area; hikers may follow the explorer's footsteps and discover the exuberant natural world in which he took such delight.[20]

Both the Appalachian Trail and Bartram Trail cross over Wayah Bald, one of the best known places in the Franklin area for sightseeing.

The Franklin area is famous for its gem mining. Franklin hosts the jewelry and gem show, "Macon County Gemboree", twice a year. The Cowee Valley north of Franklin attracts thousands of visitors annually to its mines, which continue to yield valuable stones. There are also other gem mines located throughout the area. Among the native stones found are ruby, sapphire, and garnets. The Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum is free to the public and is noted for its exhibits.[21]

Cullasaja Falls is a waterfall in Southwestern North Carolina. The waterfall is located on the Cullasaja River in the Nantahala National Forest and is part of the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway. Cullasaja comes from a Cherokee word meaning "honey locust place." The falls is the last major waterfall on the Cullasaja river.[22] The falls is a long cascade over the course of 0.2 miles (0.32 km).

The height of the falls is given as 200 ft (61 m) in Kevin Adams' book, North Carolina Waterfalls[22] and 250 ft (77.1 m) by NCWaterfalls.com.[23] However, Google Earth gives a height (based on the elevation of the water at the top of the falls and the elevation of the plunge pool at the bottom of the falls) of 137 ft (42 m). The falls may be glimpsed by people driving along Highway 64, but it is difficult to see more fully from the road. The falls are located beside of a series of blind curves on with sheer rock cliffs above and below the road. A small pull-off is located near the falls, but walking on the road puts visitors in danger of being hit by a passing vehicle.

Dry Falls, also known as Upper Cullasaja Falls, is a 65-foot (20.1 m) waterfall located in the Nantahala National Forest, northwest of Highlands, North Carolina. Dry Falls flows on the Cullasaja River through the Nantahala National Forest. It is part of a series of waterfalls on a 8.7-mile (14.0 km) stretch of the river that eventually ends with Cullasaja Falls. Dry Falls flows over an overhanging bluff that allows visitors to walk up under the falls and remain relatively dry when the waterflow is low, hence its name. Visitors will get wet if the waterflow is high. The falls has been called Dry Falls for a long time, but has also gone by a few other names, including High Falls, Pitcher Falls, and Cullasaja Falls.[24] Dry Falls is located on the side of U.S. Highway 64 15.7 miles (25.3 km) southeast of Franklin, North Carolina. There is a parking area on the side of the road, where visitors can park before walking the short path with stairs to the falls. The United States Forest Service has made improvements to the parking area and has reopened the public area.

Bridal Veil Falls is a 45-foot (20.1 m) waterfall located in the Nantahala National Forest, southeast of Franklin. With a short curve of roadway that passes behind the falls, this is the only waterfall in the state where one can drive a vehicle under the water. Bridal Veil Falls flows on a tributary of the Cullasaja River through the Nantahala National Forest. The falls flows over an overhanging bluff. Visitors can walk behind the falls and remain dry when the waterflow is low. During periods of drought, the stream may nearly dry up, though visitors will get wet if the waterflow is moderate or high.

Bridal Veil Falls is located on the side of U.S. Highway 64 16.5 miles (26.6 km) southeast of Franklin. Highway 64 originally used the curve of roadway behind the falls exclusively, so that all traffic went behind them. But this caused problems with icing of the roadway during freezing weather, and Hwy. 64 has been re-routed around the front of the falls since. A parking area is located on the side of the road, so that visitors can park and view the falls from there.

In 2003, a massive boulder slid off the left side of the falls, blocking that side of the drive-under completely. However, in July 2007, that boulder was removed by a local developer.[25]

Quarry Falls is a small waterfall (or perhaps large rapid in high water) located beside US Hwy. 64 southeast of Franklin, North Carolina. Known to locals as "Sliding Rock", it is best known for the large, deep pool at the bottom. It is a popular place for swimming during warm weather.

Franklin has been home to the Scottish Tartans Museum since 1994.[26] It shows materials common to some of the Scots-Irish immigrants who settled in this area in the late eighteenth century and later.