LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Monday, September 5, 2011

Celebrating 150 Years

It is very likely that Fernando de Soto walked the hills of Transylvania County in 1540.  Cherokee Indians populated the land and made trade routes around and through the mountains.  In the early 1700s pioneers began to settle in the area, living peacefully with the native Indians.

In 1838 United States Government policy mandated removal of the Cherokee from many areas, the western North Carolina mountains included.  The Cherokee were forced to march to lands in what is now Oklahoma.  Some Cherokee escaped deep into the mountains to avoid the "Trail of Tears."  Those Indians and their descendants were later recognized as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.  Most of them settled on lands that became known as the Cherokee Reservation.

The North Carolina Assembly passed an act on February 15, 1861 establishing Transylvania County.  With origin in 1861, Transylvania County is celebrating its sesquicentennial all year long.  This Labor Day Weekend included a big celebration for the 150 years of Transylvania County.
[NOTE:  I did not attend the celebration and all photographs are from Online newspapers.




The official logo for the 150th Anniversary




A big cardboard cake.




 A big REAL birthday cake made by a local bakery.  The cake included the Transylvania Courthouse and was made to feed two thousand people.




 These flags have lined the city streets most of the year.




Little farmers get some practice driving tractors.




 The children got free balloons.



The day concluded with a concert and fireworks.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY!

11 comments:

Boondocks Love Shack Pack said...

Looks like a fun party!!

AROOOOF!
Boondocks & The Love Shack Pack

Cheryl said...

Thank you for sharing your culture and celebrations.
For those of us that do not live in the USA it is really interesting. I like to see how others live and learn about their history.

I love the would be farmers driving the tractors....so cute. Given the chance Poppi would have been amongst them :)

animal lover, quilt lover said...

Fun fun fun !!! Fun had by all!! I like to see parties like that but really don't like to go to them!!! I don't like to be in crowds much.
We have had 2.4 inches so far of rain thanks to Lee!!
So happy the gardens and grass are!! We are suppose to get some more rain today.
Thanks for your visit!! Blogger is working good today Yay !!!!!!
xx, Tinker & Fern

Karin said...

Happy 150 years!! Great celebration!

Ginnie said...

Is that where the Cherokee museum is located? I stumbled on it while returning from a trip to the Smoky Mountains and though it was outstanding for a small museum.

Vicki Lane said...

Happy Birthday, Transylvania County!

Ms. A said...

Why didn't you go? You and your camera could have had a field day!

Busy Bee Suz said...

How wonderful for your community!!!
I have a hard time making a cake to feed 10 people....can't imagine feeding 2000!!!

animal lover, quilt lover said...

We were glad to see Lee come see us!! We needed the rain so badly!!! We had had only 2 tenths in the month of Aug. Losing one tree was worth it to get the rain!!!
Glad that tree come down thanks to Lee and it saved you the money to have it taken down!!! It coast lots to take a tree down. If we had any money for that we would have about 50 pine trees down!!!!!!
xx, Fern

Anonymous said...

I remember hearing (on a visit to Cherokee, NC) that there were some very unique things about the Cherokee language, but darned if I can remember what they are. Something about it being written, perhaps?

The Cherokee code talkers were fascinating.

Happy 150! That's worth a par-tay!

Carol Murdock said...

That's a lot of Mountain History!
Congrats for being blessed to live there! XO