It is considered a continuation of NC 28 and runs all the way to US 129 near the Tennessee border. Lake View Drive was to be the thirty-mile road that would connect Bryson City and Fontana and allow displaced citizens access to the graves of their loved ones.Ī new road was constructed along the southern border of the lake. The Federal Government had promised to replace NC 288 with a new road along the northern shoreline. At some point, twenty-eight of these cemeteries were relocated to higher ground along the north shore of the newly formed lake. Once the dam was completed and the reservoir, now known as Fontana Lake, began to fill, NC Highway 288, the main passage through the area, was submerged along with many of the remaining ghost towns.Īll that was left were cemeteries and ruins of several homesteads, logging operations, and mining towns. So it is my understanding that the creation of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the subsequent construction of Fontana Dam displaced more than 1,300 families in the area. **Thanks to Joe Kegley via Wildlife South Magazine, here is a more complete timeline. Urgency toward the completion of the dam intensified.Ĭonstruction began in 1942 and Fontana Dam was completed in 1944. As aluminum became a critical component in the construction of ships, aircraft, and ammunition for the war, more electricity was needed in order to ramp up production. In 1941 ALCOA agreed to transfer all the land acquired for the Fontana Dam project to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in exchange for dependable power.ġ941 also marked the beginning of World War II. The mid-thirties witnessed the creation of the TVA (whose objective was to develop the resources of the region) and the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In short, what I found out was that as early as 1910, the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) began obtaining properties along the Little Tennessee River with the intention of developing hydroelectric power. The bottom part of the falls is partially in South Carolina and can be accessed there.View from Fontana Lake Overlook on Lakeview Dr.
#Nc road to nowhere series
Whitewater Falls is made up of a series of falls that totals an impressive 811 feet! The upper part of the falls alone totals 411 feet. The tallest waterfall east of the Rockies happens to live right here in North Carolina. What is the tallest waterfall in North Carolina? If you prefer self-guided waterfall hikes, head to our previous post to learn about eight breathtaking waterfalls in North Carolina you can hike to. It’s both an enjoyable and informative hike. Located in Asheville, Asheville Hiking Tours provides a half-day waterfall hike with a guided expert that will teach you all about the waterfalls that you’ll see along the way. North Carolina literally has hundreds of waterfalls to explore but there’s one hike that is guided by a naturalist you should consider taking. Learn more about the best trails in North Carolina.Īre there any waterfall hikes in North Carolina?
For beach and sea views, head to Carolina Beach State Park and take a 2.8-mile hike for all the beauty there. Linville Falls is one of the most popular and beautiful waterfalls that you can find along an easy hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Head to Whiteside Mountain for a wonderful hike to a 700-foot cliff and endless views. With a varied landscape of forest, sea, mountains, and more, there are plenty of scenic hikes to be found around North Carolina. What are some of the most scenic hikes in North Carolina?
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