Junaluska

Jenni Junaluska and Cecilia Arrowood lay the ceremonial wreath on Chief Junaluska’s grave to help memorialize the famed Native American on Nov. 13. Jenni is a sixth-generation descendant of the chief. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Jenni Junaluska and Cecilia Arrowood lay the ceremonial wreath on Chief Junaluska’s grave to help memorialize the famed Native American on Nov. 13. Jenni is a sixth-generation descendant of the chief. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Wrapped in tradition

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Vice Chief Alan B. Ensley delivers some remarks during Nov. 13’s Junaluska Wreath Laying Ceremony. Robbinsville – He was an unsung hero in one of the greatest Native American battles in the history of the United States.
Cecilia Arrowwood (left) and Jenni Junaluska place the ceremonial wreath on Junaluska’s grave Friday. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Cecilia Arrowwood (left) and Jenni Junaluska place the ceremonial wreath on Junaluska’s grave Friday. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

‘Very brave, not afraid’

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, November 16, 2023
A new marker was unveiled at Friday’s annual Junaluksa Wreath Laying Ceremony in Robbinsville, recognizing the famed chief for his service in the United States military. Robbinsville – He is considered by many the unsung hero of the greatest Native American battle in United States history.
Jarrett Wildcatt performs on flute during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Junaluska Memorial and Burial Site in Robbinsvillle on Nov. 16. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Jarrett Wildcatt performs on flute during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Junaluska Memorial and Burial Site in Robbinsvillle on Nov. 16. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Paying homage to a warrior

Randy Foster
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Robbinsville – Dozens gathered on a chilly day for the mostly-annual, wreath-laying ceremony for Junaluska, a Cherokee leader whose gravesite and memorial overlook downtown Robbinsville. Junaluska is arguably Graham County’s most famous historical leader.

Cherokee heritage group receives historic preservation grant

Randy Foster
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Robbinsville – The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced the award of $2.5 million in grants to 80 organizations across 39 states, including a Franklin-based group seeking to preserve and promote Cherokee history in western North Carolina – including Graham County.
Belvie’s Curve has wrecked many a vehicle, most recently including the stolen car of an alleged armed robber. Photo by Robbi Pounds/rpounds@grahamstar.com

Belvie’s Curve has wrecked many a vehicle, most recently including the stolen car of an alleged armed robber. Photo by Robbi Pounds/rpounds@grahamstar.com

The curse of Belvie's Curve claims another victim

Robbi Pounds
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Andrews – I was walking down the hill to visit my horses and was about to cross the road Wednesday, Jan. 22, when a white Volkswagen came around the bend and into the short straightaway, going so fast it was wagging back and forth across the asphalt, passing by me completely in the wrong lane.
Jason William Burrell’s five-day crime spree ended Wednesday, Jan. 22, when the Volkswagen he had stolen crashed in Bellvie’s Curve on Junaluska Road in Cherokee County. Photo by Robbi Pounds/rpounds@grahamstar.com

Jason William Burrell’s five-day crime spree ended Wednesday, Jan. 22, when the Volkswagen he had stolen crashed in Bellvie’s Curve on Junaluska Road in Cherokee County. Photo by Robbi Pounds/rpounds@grahamstar.com

Crash ends five-day saga

News Staff
Thursday, January 30, 2020
By Penny Ray and Robbi Pounds Community Newspapers, Inc. Andrews – A five-day caper concluded on the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 22, when an armed robbery suspect flipped the getaway car into Junaluska Creek around 1 p.m..  “We took him to the hospital. He’s fine, and he’s in jail,” said Lt.
Junaluska is buried in the center of this memorial, which overlooks Robbinsville. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Junaluska is buried in the center of this memorial, which overlooks Robbinsville. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Cheoah's most famous son

Robbi Pounds
Thursday, November 14, 2019
At the top of a hill in Robbinsville perches one of Graham County’s best-known landmarks: the grave of Junaluska, the Cheoah Valley’s most famous citizen.
Tatham Gap Road was built as part of the Trail of Tears in 1836. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Tatham Gap Road was built as part of the Trail of Tears in 1836. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Rough road, dark history

Robbi Pounds
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Robbinsville – There is an alternative route between Andrews and Robbinsville: one not burdened with traffic, but fraught with history.  Tatham Gap Road, known to sports enthusiasts as the “Gravel Dragon,” is a U.S.