About Our Area
Proud, resourceful people -- many descended from the Cherokee Indians who once lived in the region now known as Cherokee County -- welcome visitors to share their peaceful spot in the Blue Ridge Mountains, if only for a little while. It is no wonder why the Cherokees made the area their home or why they hid in the mountains when the Indian removal took place in 1838.
Hundreds of waterfalls and creeks, forests filled with wildflowers and tall pines wrapped in mountain breezes invite strangers to stay awhile and enjoy one of Mother Nature's finest creations.
Descendants of hearty Scottish and English settlers who married fine young Indian maidens carry on traditions from generations past. Descendants who never lived in Cherokee County venture back "home" to find their roots. Murphy, the county seat, offers a wealth of history at its courthouse, library and the Cherokee County Historical Museum which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Travelers passing through the small communities surrounding the town of Murphy such as Hanging Dog, Culberson and Grape Creek may want to stay and experience the warmth of the people at the spring festival or the Christmas parade in Murphy or the fall festival at the John C. Campbell Folk School in nearby Brasstown.
Located at the center of the North Georgia Mountains, just below Brasstown Bald's 4,748-foot summit is Union County Georgia. Union County is often considered the home of Brasstown Bald, when in fact this high mountain summit hugs the county border between Union County and neighboring Towns County. Technically the bald is just inside Towns County, what often raises the confusion concerning the bald's geographical location is that the Brasstown Bald U.S. Forest Service, Brasstown Ranger District is in Blairsville - Union County. The Forest Service purchased 31,000 acres in four North Georgia counties in 1911 for $7 per acre. In the beginning, the Chattahoochee was part of the Nantahala and Cherokee National Forests in North Carolina and Tennessee. Many of the early purchases were old homesteads and abandoned farm lands.
On July 9, 1936, the Chattahoochee National Forest was proclaimed as a separate National Forest, 31,000 acres As a result of a concentrated effort by the Forest Service and the Department of Natural Resources personnel, the deer and trout populations were brought back to today's healthy and productive level. Today's estimate of the deer population is more than 30,000 animals and a turkey population of over 6,000 birds. The Chattahoochee today boasts a healthy bear population of more than 650 animals. Wildlife is abundant in our area!
OUR NEWS PAPER
HISTORIC HENN THEATER
LOCAL RADIO
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES:
John C. Campbell Folk School - Brasstown
Hidden in the western mountains of North Carolina, an award-winning school teaches the ancient arts of Ukrainian egg decorating, bamboo fly-rod making and chair caning. Based on Danish "school for life" nontraditional teaching methods and subjects, the John C. Campbell Folk School (known as "folkehøjskole") is the only school of its kind in the United States. Its director won North Carolina's Award for Fine Arts in 2007. READ MORE
John Franklin Cobb House - Bellview
Cherokee County Courthouse - Murphy
Robert Lafayette Cooper House - Murphy
Franklin Pierce Cover House - Andrews
Harshaw Chapel and Cemetery - Murphy
The Walker Inn - Andrews
POPULATION (from 2000 U.S. Census):
Cherokee County: 24,298
Murphy: 1,568
Andrews: 1,602
MILEAGE FROM MAJOR CITIES TO MURPHY NC
| Atlanta 125 miles | Asheville 105 miles | Birmingham 230 miles |
| Charleston 310 miles | Charlotte 220 miles | Chattanooga 85 miles |
| Cincinnati 360 miles | Columbia 200 miles | Greenville 110 miles |
| Jacksonville 435 miles | Knoxville 105 miles | Lexington 285 miles |
| Louisville 355 miles | Memphis 425 miles | Mobile 460 miles |
| Nashville 215 miles | Orlando 560 miles | Raleigh 355 miles |
| Richmond 510 miles | Washington DC 615 miles |
CLIMATE
Spring: March 15-June 15
Expect frost through mid-April, maybe even a late spring snow! Night temperatures can range from 40 to 50 degrees and daytime temperatures range from 65 to 75 degrees.
Summer: June 15-September 15
Afternoon thunder showers are common and brief during Cherokee County summers. Enjoy cool evening temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees. Daytime temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees make outdoor recreation a pleasure.
Fall: September 15 - December 15
Fall is leaf season in the mountains, peaking in mid to late October. Cozy up to the fireplace during the cool autumn evenings with temperatures ranging from 30 to 40 degrees September through October and 20 to 30 degrees November through December. Enjoy an outdoor festival in September and October with daytime temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees or experience the first snow in late November or early December with the mercury sitting between 30 and 40 degrees.
Winter: December 15 - March 15
Cherokee County winters afford you plenty of snow days for sipping hot cocoa by the fire. Temperatures at night may range from 0 to 20 degrees, especially during January and February. Daytime temperatures vary greatly from 20 to 35 degrees but have known to reach the 50s.
SHOPPING
Murphy prides itself in being a small town with an aptitude towards heritage and tradition. We offer many antiques stores and specialty Shop's. You won't find any shopping malls here! Our drug store still has an old fashioned soda fountain and it is right down the street from a great little coffee shop and book store. Conveniently located near so many large cities, Murphy affords you small town comfort with big city excitement only a short drive away!
RESTAURANTS
Dining with your friends and family at one of our many casual restaurants is the perfect way to end a great day in Cherokee County. From Mountain BBQ to homemade Italian meals, our variety adds spice to your life!
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Downtown Pizza
52 Hiawassee Street Murphy 828-837-0500
This is close by in downtown Murphy and a great place to eat lunch or dinner. They have an all you can eat salad and pizza bar for just $4 for adults, $3 for kids. Perfect! -
Longhouse
210 Club House Drive Murphy 828-837-1762
Restaurant at Cherokee Hills Golf Club. Open Wednesday Through Saturday 5:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. Sunday brunch 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m -
ShoeBooties Cafe
25 Peachtree St Murphy 828-837-4589
Distinctive Downtown Dining! Dinner entrees feature signature chef specialties a well as steak, seafood, chicken, and pasta, dishes. Lunches include homemade soups and quiches, fresh salads and classic deli sandwiches. Live music and baby back ribs on Friday nights; a special gourmet menu, white linen and live dinner music on Saturday nights. -
Daily Grind, The (Coffee & Gifts)
46 Valley River Ave. Murphy 828-835-7322
A downtown coffee shop offering a selection of specialty drinks including espresso, cappuccino, fruit smoothies and wine. Live Music and dancing on Friday Nights. -
Doyle's Cedar Hill Restaurant
925 Andrews Road Murphy 828-837-3400
Fine dining, relaxed atmosphere - Eclectic Mix of contemporary southern, seasonal, vegetarian, international and traditional favorite dishes. Terrific wine list and brown bag.
Places to Golf
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Cherokee Hills Golf Club
P.O. Box 647 Murphy 828-837-5853 800-334-3905
Cherokee Hills is a championship, 18 hole golf course, par 72. We also have a pool, tennis courts, driving range, practice putting green and fitness trail. -
Butternut Creek Golf Course - Public
Hwy 19/129 No. Blairsville, Georgia Toll Free: (877) 745-5153— This picturesque mountain golf course is an 18 hole, par 73 course and open year 'round. A tee time is required.
Places to Boat & Fish
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Shook's Marina
377 Wisteria Rd. Murphy 828-837-2863
Marina, covered slips, pontoon rentals, snack bar, bait and tackle, gas, propane, and dry winter storage. -
Bear Paw Marina
Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Lake Hiwassee is one of the most picturesque vacation retreats in the southeast. With most of its 163 miles of shoreline preserved by the Nantahala National Forest, Lake Hiwassee's breathtaking beauty remains unspoiled. -
Nottely Marine Inc
Blairsville, GA (706) 745-3638 Very close to our cabin General Store, Gas on the Water, Live Bait & Tackle, Restroom Facilities, Boat Launching Ramp and Parking, Fee $5.00 Per day. Boat rentals and pontoon boat rentals. They have coupons on their website.
