![]() It was built in 1941, on land given over to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) by the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA).Īll began in the 1930s and 1940s, when the federal government and the TVA took over 67,800 acres of public and private land in Graham and Swain Counties to build Fontana Dam itself, creating Fontana Lake and part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. To this day, the Park Service still ferries local community residents over to the cemeteries on weekends, and for family reunions.The Fontana Dam, rising high above the Little Tennessee River in western North Carolina, is the tallest dam in the eastern United States. The legal issue of the road never being built was finally resolved in 2010, when the US Department of Interior paid a settlement of 52 million to Swain County due to the road never being completed. Thus, Lakeshore Drive earned a new name from local residents, The Road to Nowhere. The environmental issue was eventually resolved, but construction to complete Lakeshore Drive never resumed, and the road was never finished. During its construction, Lakeshore Drive fell victim to environmental concerns, and construction was stopped, and the road ended at the tunnel. Additionally, Lakeshore Drive would provide access to family cemeteries for the people in the impacted communities.īut, unfortunately, that promise never materialized. The National Park service promised to replace Highway 288 with Lakeshore Drive, which would run around the north side of Lake Fontana. Highway 288, then used by the locals as their main route in and out of the community was also gone, as it went underwater as the area to become Fontana Lake was flooded. In the end, many of them didn't receive a dime for their property either. Most of these people didn't receive any relocation assistance because they refused to accept the buyout and move. Nearly 1,300 people were forced to leave their homes as a result. See, during the 1930s and 1940s, the areas around Bryson City (Swain County) where given up to create both portions of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Fontana Lake. The history of the Road to Nowhere is quite the story, and full of emotion. 5 miles, and you'll arrive back at the parking lot and Lakeshore Trail trailhead. The color is said to be due to to the large number of copper mines once located in this area.Īt this point the trail begins a pretty aggressive climb up for a good mile, where you'll intersect with the Tunnel Bypass trail. In about a quarter of a mile, you'll get a view of one of the many coves in Fontana Lake. In about 1/2 a mile, you'll see a trail to the left, that will take you to campsite 67, also the site for an old homestead - We didn't venture up this trail on this particular visit, but will in the future. Goldmine Loop trail will follow alongside Goldmine Branch and through the forest. Continue on past this one, and just shortly after you'll see Goldmine Loop trail, also on the left - This is the one you want to take. The first trail you'll pass is tunnel bypass trail. You'll see trail signs indicating Goldmine Loop Trail to the left. Don't worry, for the loop trail, you won't be going that far.įollow Lakeshore trail for about 1/2 a mile. ![]() This trail continues for nearly 35 miles and ends at Fontana Dam. congratulations, you just arrived at nowhere :-). Just past the tunnel, the paved road ends.
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