Take a drive into history

by Ellen Schofield
Contributing Writer

Over millennia of time, Native Americans, soldiers, militiamen, colonists, drovers, prospectors, bushwhackers, guerrillas all passed over it. An ancient trading path that predates history, it has been known as the Unicoi Path, the Tellico Path, the Overhill Trading Path, and finally, the Unicoi Turnpike Trail.

Today, it is a part of the Millennium Trails program’s American Discovery Trail, the nation’s first coast to coast non-motorized recreation trail. Thanks to the Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association’s website and trail guide, the trail is easily explored by car and by foot.

On a beautiful summer day, my husband and I enjoyed exploring some of the historical treasures along the route from Murphy to Vonore, Tennessee. We took the Joe Brown Highway because it most closely follows the original trail. However, after the intersection with the Hiwassee Dam Access Road, at Violet, it becomes a gravel road. Because it is also the route for large power lines, the road is well maintained. But, it may be hazardous in adverse weather, or just after a storm, due to falling tree branches. In that case, another option is to take US 74 West from Murphy to Ducktown, Tennessee, and turn right onto TN 68, picking up the trail at Coker Creek.

We began our day with a stop at the Farmer’s Market on the square in Murphy. Then we headed north on Tennessee Street, which soon becomes the Joe Brown Highway. Passing the turn-off to the popular Hanging Dog Recreational Area, we wound around Lake Hiwassee. At the stop sign at the intersection with the Hiwassee Dam Access Road, we turned right, beginning our ascent up and over the Unicoi Gap, which is the lowest gap in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. This route offers some exceptional views of the surrounding mountains. On the Tennessee side is a parking lot and trailheads for the hiking portion of the Unicoi Trail, and the Benton McKaye Trail, a nearly 300 mile footpath through the southeastern Appalachians.

Continuing on, we soon came to Coker Creek, the site of one of the earliest gold rushes in the United States. You can still pan for gold here in the streams of the Cherokee National Forest. Gold pans, supplies and maps are available at the Welcome Center. During our visit, we met Mary Jane, who answered our questions and encouraged us to stop and see Bald River Falls when we reached Tellico Plains. Next door, at the family business “Designs by Baerries”, we met Phil, the family head and friendly proprietor, and Pip, the mascot cat. Phil explained that every member of his artistic family contributes his or her specialty to the business, which sells intricate wood carved items such as puzzle boxes, hair combs, and utensils. Daughter Elisabeth makes glass fused and beaded jewelry. Sons Nathan and George contribute paintings, sculpture and music. When we asked for eatery recommendations, Phil strongly suggested that we have our lunch at the Tellico Grains Bakery. All that talk of food made us hungry and our stomachs prodded us to drive on to Tellico Plains, and the Bakery. (to be continued)

See also: “Footsteps of the Cherokees, A Guide to the Eastern Homelands of the Cherokee Nation”, by Vicki Rozema and “Daytrips from Coker Creek”

http://tennesseeoverhill.com/unicoitrail/trailguide.asp | http://www.discoverytrail.org/news/mt.html |

http://www.bmta.org/ | http://climbingbear.com/ | http://cokercreek.org/chamber/