Marshall McClung
Of the many visitors that come to Joyce Kilmer Forest each year, very few probably know that it was almost logged by Gennett Lumber Company.
In 1935, Andrew Gennett and a crew of young foresters were exploring timber land on Big and Little Santeetlah creeks in Graham County. At the time, discussions were in progress about selling some of this land to the U.S. Forest Service.
But it was not a “done deal” and plans were also in place to log the Little Santeetlah Creek watershed –which is now Joyce Kilmer Forest.
At one time, Samuel McFalls of Andrews was camped at what is now the Joyce Kilmer Forest parking lot to begin construction of splash dams on Little Santeetlah Creek, to float logs downstream to the Cheoah River and on to a lumber mill in Tennessee.
Gennett described the day they first saw the giant poplar trees in detail. He and his crew started from Tapoco, followed an old Indian trail between Bear Creek and Slickrock Creek, to almost the top of Hangover Mountain – where they stopped near a small stream for lunch.
From there, they crossed over the dividing ridge into the headwaters of Little Santeetlah Creek, where they saw some of the largest yellow poplar and northern red oak trees they had ever seen.
When they reached Poplar Cove, there was a stand of even larger poplar trees. The young men with Gennett were amazed at the sight of such large trees and suggested that this section be offered for sale to the government.
Gennett was mixed on the decision. If logged, the large trees would bring top price in the lumber market. On the other hand, the company was badly in needs of funds and he felt that the federal government would pay a hefty price for the land when they saw the groves of large trees.
Gennett discussed the matter with his brother Nat and the decision was made to sell the entire Little Santeetlah Creek watershed – consisting of some 4,000 acres – to the government, for $28 per acre.
This was at a time when forest land was selling for as little as $2.70 per acre. Nat carried the offer to the U.S. Forest Service Supervisor’s office, which was located in Franklin at the time.
After U.S. Forest Service timber cruisers got a look all the large trees, the offer was accepted.
When the deal was finalized, Gennett Lumber Company received a check from the government in the amount of $380,000 for 13,500 acres on Big and Little Santeetlah Creeks.
The Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest was officially dedicated on July 30, 1936.
Marshall McClung is the historical columnist for The Graham Star. He can be reached via email, mcclungs@email.com.