History of

Jackson, Macon & Swain

Counties, NC

New! 79 Page Illustrated Booklet

Early days in Jackson, Macon and Swain Counties in North Carolina, are recalled through a mixture of colorful tales and factual data in this new 79-page spiral-bound booklet, comprised of excerpts from several vintage books. These source materials include John Hill Wheeler's 1851 Historical Sketches of North Carolina; North Carolina, A Guide to the Old North State, a product of the WPA, first published in 1939; and A New Geography of North Carolina, a project started in the 1950s.

The tri-color front cover is printed on 80# card stock and has been protected with a vinyl sheet. The text is printed single-sided on 60# opaque paper, with the print enlarged to fit the 8.5" x 11" paper and improve readability.

Some of the towns mentioned in the booklet include: Jackson County -- Sylva (the county seat), Balsam, Dillsboro, Whittier, Bryson City, Cullowhee, and Cashiers. Macon County -- Franklin (county seat), Highlands and Ellijay; Swain County -- Bryson City (county seat), Alarka,, Ela, Needmore , and the Cherokee reservation communities of Cherokee, Soco, Painttown, Big Cove, Birdtown and Wolftown.

Among the many subjects included are: Geological and Physical features, such as the Smoky Mountains, Tuckaseigee and Nantihalah Rivers, the Highlands plateau, and a once-lost plant called Shortia Galacifolia; the Cherokee Indian Tribe; the Siler family, Nathaniel Macon; Various battles with the Cherokee tribe in the 1700s; Agriculture, Miningand Lumber; Various scenic spots; Historic Roads; Bear and Wolf; the People and their Customs; Religion and Education, including Western Carolina College; Tourism; Members of the General Assembly from Macon County between 1831 and 1850; Ellicott's Rock; the Pageant "Unto These Hills"; the Moccasin War involving moonshining, an Army of Ghosts, the highest town in the east, an early description of the Cherokees, Ruby Hunters, the Lincoln birth legend, where some place names came from, and other curious bits of history and trivia.

The WPA section offers a nostalgic glimpse of the area from a 1939 vantage point, offering historical notes and sightseeing possibilities.

Our North Carolina booklets are a good resource for learning about the history, geography and social climate of places where you or your ancestors have lived or places you plan to visit.

Wouldn't this make a unique gift?