Graham County is celebrating its 150 birthday this year. A number of activities are planned for this month, in celebration of this event.
The actual date that Graham became a separate county from Cherokee County was Jan. 30, 1872. The county was named for William A. Graham, one-time governor of North Carolina.
The first meeting of Graham County commissioners was held on Halloween, Oct. 31, 1872 at the King and Cooper Store. J.J. Colvard, John Gourley, G.W. Hooper, N.F Cooper and John Sawyer – the commissioners-elect, were sworn in by J.W. King – Justice of the Peace.
The following positions were then approved:
* Register of Deeds: William Carpenter;
* County Clerk: John G. Tatham (spelled Tathum on the document);
* Sheriff: J.S. Hyde;
* County Surveyor: Reuben Carver.
The commissioners ordered that the first term of Superior Court would be held at the Baptist Church in Cheoah Township. Judge Riley Cannon held the first term of court in March of 1873.
On Dec. 7, 1872, the county commissioners met to select a site for a county seat. Three areas were considered; Rhea Hill, Fort Hill and a parcel of land owned by C.A. Colvard.
Most wanted the town to be located on Fort Hill. A story goes that the surveyors got drunk and laid out the town in its present location instead.
A wooden courthouse was erected on the northwest corner of where the present courthouse is located. Court was first held there in the fall of 1874. Sometime thereafter – during a sensational murder trial – so many people crowded into the courthouse that the floor fell in.
The Town of Robbinsville was incorporated in 1893. The population of Robbinsville in 1894 was 102. By 1915, the population had reached 200. The town began growing after the railroad from Topton reached Robbinsville on July 4, 1926.
Along about the same time, U.S. Hwy. 129 from Topton to Robbinsville was completed. In 1931, U.S. Hwy. 129 from Tennessee to Robbinsville was also completed.
The first mayor of Robbinsville was N.M.E. Slaughter, the father of R.B. Slaughter who later served as mayor for 22 years. Early businesses included the George Walker store, which sat on the corner of what is now Main Street and East Main Street beside present-day Lynn’s Place Restaurant. The Ben Grant store had a wooden sidewalk so that customers didn’t have to walk in the muddy street. The Fred Ghormley store had the first soda fountain and ice cream parlor. Captain N.G. Phillips built the first hotel here and named it Junaluska Inn.
The Love Joy Hotel was built around 1880 by W.F. Cooper. It was said to be named for the jolly proprietor who had a friendly manner about him.
Marshall McClung is the historical columnist for The Graham Star. He can be reached via email, mcclungs@email.com.