Region:Mountain County Seat:Murphy Population:24,2981 Towns & Cities: Andrews, Marble, Topton
Cherokee
County, named in honor of the Native American Tribe, was formed in 1839 from Macon. It is in the western section
of the State and is bounded by the states of Georgia and Tennessee and Graham,
Swain, Macon and Clay counties.2
Cherokee County is North Carolina's western most county, located in the southern tip of the Great Smoky Mountains and bordered by the states of Tennessee and Georgia. Cherokee County within two hours driving distance from four major metropolitan cities. The western Tip of the county is rich in natural beauty with many lakes, rivers, streams and mountains. The moderate weather is conducive to year around living. Friendly folks and mountain hospitality await all who visit and makes Cherokee County an ideal place to live, work and play.3
It not exactly evident where this nickname originated, but it seems to have given birth during the Civil War. North Carolina's troops were said to have tar on their heels, because they would not run in battle even as other states retreated.
Additional County History
