Historical Literature
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Of all the natural wonders our planet has to show none, perhaps, has made greater appeal to the imagination of mankind in all ages than has the grandeur and beauty of falling water. Edward C. Rashleigh in Among the Waterfalls of the World, 1935
Waterfalls have lured artists, poets, musicians, and writers throughout recorded history. I’ve no doubt that somewhere there are prehistoric cave drawings depicting waterfalls. A worthy effort, I believe, would be a book about how waterfalls throughout the world have inspired creative minds, but I can offer only this meager beginning of a few examples that apply to North Carolina waterfalls. Although a comprehensive worldwide treatment of this subject is not available, I should mention Brian J. Hudson’s Waterfall,72 which includes a nice chapter on the subject. I highly recommend the book to anyone who loves waterfalls. Also, be sure to read the Art, Music, Poetry, and Photographers 1800s & 1900s pages of this website.
North Carolina’s waterfalls have no doubt been celebrated since the first Native American laid eyes upon them. The first written account of a North Carolina waterfall that I am aware of comes from John Lawson’s A New Voyage to Carolina, published in 1709. In it, Lawson mentions the “Falls of Neus-Creek,” which is assumed to be Falls of the Neuse River. I very much doubt this is the first written waterfall reference from the state.
Eighty-two years later, in 1791, botanist William Bartram, in his Travels of William Bartram, wrote of the “unparalleled cascade of Falling Creek.” (See the Satulah Falls listing for a discussion of what waterfall Bartram might have been referencing.) In between these written accounts I’ve no doubt there are many others, and I expect to find some as I continue researching.
It wasn’t until the mid-1800s that our waterfalls began to be introduced to the American public in widely available published literature, with the latter half of the 19th century producing several books, pamphlets, and magazine articles that featured waterfalls. These publications typically fall into four broad categories: Travelogues, written by adventurous tourists; advertorials, written to encourage tourism or patronizing the featured business(es); unabashed advertisements; resource reports, often sponsored by the state or federal government, or private companies. Sometimes the line between them is fuzzy.
One thing that all these writings seem to have in common is flowery language. Even the resource assessments sometimes stray from a scientific approach when describing the potential commercial exploitation of a waterfall. I suppose part of this is simply the style of the time. It is also noteworthy how some authors of the time “borrowed” material from their predecessors, often without attribution. If you read the books listed below in chronological order, you’ll experience déjà vu as you read some of them. In that, they were no different from certain authors of today.
In the first half of the 20th century the number of North Carolina waterfall references increased substantially. By then, the use of photography in books was becoming commonplace, with images of waterfalls seemingly mandatory. Dozens of travel books were published about western North Carolina, the Asheville region being the most popular. And in what I can only postulate was an attempt to thoroughly frustrate a 21st century waterfall historian, many of these publications carried the same “Land of the Sky” slogan in the title.
By the end of 20th century, waterfalling was becoming a serious pursuit for many North Carolinians, although it would still be a little while before that term made it into our everyday vocabulary. In the last decade of the century, at least seven guidebooks were published specifically about waterfalls in North Carolina or Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The Guidebooks page covers the books that were written as, well, guidebooks. And I don’t really care about getting into the weeds with all the historical publications that mention waterfalls, not that I would have the knowledge or time to do so if I wanted. (I do mention a bunch of them in the waterfall listings when there is a reference to that waterfall.) For this page, I wanted to mention just a few historical books that I think would make enjoyable reading for North Carolina waterfallers.
Thomas Wolfe needn’t have feared any of them usurping his literary status (two or three of them in particular), but regardless of the quality of the writing, it’s fun to read these old books that mention North Carolina waterfalls. And besides, the fact that you have now read this much of my writing means you’re not looking for a Nobel Prize in Literature candidate.
Some of these books are available as reprints, and I believe all those that aren’t are available to read online or download as PDFs. Books are listed in chronological order by the publication date.
A New Voyage to Carolina; Containing the Exact Description and Natural History of That Country: Together with the Present State Thereof. And A Journal of a Thousand Miles, Travel'd Thro' Several Nations of Indians. Giving a Particular Account of Their Customs, Manners, &c.
John Lawson, 1709
We went about 10 Miles, and sat down at the falls of a large Creek, where lay mighty Rocks, the Water making a strange Noise, as if a great many Water-Mills were going at once. I take this to be the Falls of Neus-Creek, called by the Indians, WEE quo Whom.
Lawson’s famous account of his travels through North Carolina gets the prize for the longest title, if nothing else. There is very little in this book about waterfalls, but I highly recommend it nonetheless to anyone who has an interest in the state’s cultural and natural history. Just try to ignore that he classifies reptiles and amphibians as insects. Oh, and worms.
Travels of William Bartram
William Bartram, 1791
On approaching these shades, between the stately columns of the superb forest trees, presented to view, rushing from rocky precipices under the shade of the pensile hills, the unparalleled cascade of Falling Creek, rolling and leaping off the rocks: the waters uniting below, spread a broad glittering sheet over a vast convex elevation of plain smooth rocks, and are immediately received by a spacious bason, where trembling in the centre [sic] through hurry and agitation, they gently subside....
If you’re a natural history buff and enjoy reading historical nonfiction, Travels is a must-read. Don’t read it for waterfall accounts, though. The excerpt above is the only one that references a North Carolina waterfall.
The Wigwam and the Cabin
William Gilmore Sims, 1845
He was away, on a great hunt of the young men, up at Charashilactay, or the falls of the White Water, as we call it to this day--a beautiful cascade of nearly forty feet, the water of which is of a milky complexion.
A collection of seven short fiction stories (“Tales” as Sims calls them) set in the Southern Frontier, The Wigwam and the Cabin received praise from critics, including Edgar Allan Poe. I believe the last story in the book, “Jocassee, A Cherokee Legend,” is the only one that references a North Carolina waterfall (Whitewater Falls), although I admit that I haven’t read the others.
Letters From the Alleghany Mountains
Charles Lanman, 1849
I come now to speak of the Lindville [sic] Falls, which are situated on the Lindville river, a tributary of the beautiful Catawba. They are literally embosomed among mountains, and long before seeing them do you hear their musical roar.
Letters is a collection of letters that Lanman wrote while traveling through the Southern Appalachians. The letters reference Cullasaja Falls, Hickory Nut Falls, Bottomless Pools, and Linville Falls.
Mountain Scenery. The Scenery of the mountains of Western North Carolina and Northwestern Southwestern South Carolina.
Henry E. Colton, 1859
From Franklin the tourist can visit the Falls of the Chulsagee, or Sugar Fork of Tennessee River, and the Whiteside Mountain, which we have heretofore mentioned. These Falls are said to be a very sublime and beautiful work of nature. The Falls of the Tuckasegee River, in Jackson County, are thought, by many, to surpass in beauty anything of the kind they have ever seen.
Colton depends on the writings of others for much of the material in this book, but he at least gives them credit. Waterfalls referenced include Hickory Nut, Mitchell, Cullasaja, High (West Fork Tuckasegee River), Linville, and Bottomless Pools.
The Land of the Sky; or, Adventures in Mountain By-ways
Christian Reid, 1875
"If the storm comes up," says Charley, "we can find a refuge at the Bridal-Veil Fall."
"What an odd place to find a refuge!" says Mrs. Cardigan. "How can a fall shelter us—unless it be on the homoeopathic principle of like curing like?"
"You'll see when we get there how it can shelter us, says Mr. Brandon, winding a blast on his horn."
This novel by Frances Tiernan, using the pen name Christian Reid, traces the excursions of a small group of tourists in the Asheville region. It might be a little tough to get through the entire book, but it’s fun to read the waterfall references, which includes Catawba Falls, Mitchell Falls, Bottomless Pools, and Bridal Veil Falls, High Falls, Triple Falls on Little River. This book was the first published use of the phrase “Land of the Sky” as a reference to western North Carolina.
The Heart of the Alleghanies, or Western North Carolina
Wilbur G. Zeigler and Ben S. Grosscup, 1883
The scenery of the falls is as interesting as the fishing. On the left rises a gray, granite cliff, perfectly plumb with its base, 150 feet above the river. It is somewhat mantled with green vines and mosses, and a few shaggy cedars cling to its front. On the right, the cliff is less precipitous, and on it the forest and its undergrowth springs dense and rank. In front pours the water, a great sparkling cloud. For 60 or 70 feet down, it is a perpendicular, unbroken sheet; then a projecting ledge catches and breaks it into two columns, to fall through the last 25 feet of space. The frowning cliffs, primeval pines, gigantic boulders, and the vista of blue sky sighted through the canon, form a picture of striking sublimity. If you do not object to getting wet from the mist and rain created by the cataract, you can stand on a great rock in the whirling pool and fish for trout and salmon, with success, for hours.
The subtitle, Comprising its Topography, History, Resources, People Narratives, Incidents, and Pictures of Travel Adventures in Hunting and Fishing and Legends of its Wildernesses, sums up this this 385-page book well. It’s one of my favorite narratives of the late 1800s period.
In addition to High Falls on West Fork Tuckasegee River, the subject of the excerpt above, the book references Bridal Veil Falls on Little River, Cullasaja Falls, Dry Falls, Dutch Creek Falls, Glen Falls, Linville Falls, Onion Falls, Spring Creek Falls, Watauga Falls, and an unidentified waterfall near Hot Springs.
Lindsey’s Guide Book to Western North Carolina
Thomas H. Lindsey, 1890
Driving out North Main street, you take the river road, which takes you within a mile of the beautiful Reem's Creek Falls, on a bold stream which empties into the French Broad River, two miles above Alexander's. The roadway leads up the stream from its mouth. A view of the Falls well repays the time and trouble.
A tourist guidebook for Asheville and a few surrounding regions, this book references Reems Creek Falls, Bottomless Pools, Hickory Nut Falls, Soco Falls, Connestee Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls, High Falls, Triple Falls on Little River.
The Balsam Groves of the Grandfather Mountain
Shepherd M. Dugger, 1892, 1907, 1934
About midway between Blowing Rock and Linville, where the daily hack from the latter place crosses Green Mountain Creek, a beautiful fall, twelve feet high, is so close on the upper side as to throw spray upon the dry goods of the passers-by, while immediately below the road, the stream has a leap that is more than twice as high as the first, and equally enhanced in the other features of its attractions.
Cited as “some of the finest bad writing ever produced by a North Carolina author,”120 Dugger’s travel guide slash romance novel is indeed tough to get through, but worthwhile nonetheless for lovers of waterfall history, although you might want to go with the 187-page 1892 edition over the 321-page 1934 revision. Waterfall references are Dutch Creek Falls, Elk Falls, Green Mountain Falls, Linville Falls, and Mitchell Falls. Duggers Falls, near Linville Falls, is named for Dugger.
Although it's not waterfall related, I can't leave without quoting my favorite bad passage from Shepherd's book. Speaking of the food at Eseeola Inn (Eseeoloa Lodge), Shepherd writes:
Such is the variety and flavor of the food that, when you place your foot on the threshold of the masticating department, your nasal proboscis is greeted with the aroma of roasted mutton or beef, and the alimentative pupils of your orbicular instruments are fixed upon large slabs of comb honey, consisting of the gathered sweets from mountain flowers, and rivalling in delicacy the nectar of the gods.
The Carolina Mountains
Margaret W. Morley, 1913
Waterfalls are a characteristic of this country that lies so near the steep walls of the Blue Ridge. In whatever direction one may walk, ride, or drive, there are the waters leaping down, sometimes in deafening volume, sometimes in exquisite veils, or white, winding threads, or ethereal fabrics woven of air, water, and light, sparkling and gay. Whatever form of waterfall one likes best can here be found, for these jewels of the landscape are everywhere strung on the silver streams that embroider the green robe of the Sapphire Country, — and along the watercourses and bordering the cascades the smaller rhododendrons, those the color of a blush rose, hang their exquisite flowers over the rocks.
Morley’s account of the Carolina mountains has received mixed reviews for her treatment of the local people, especially the Cherokee. I will say my eyes often got wide while reading it, but I’m certainly glad for having done so. I consider it mandatory reading for anyone with a curiosity for the cultural and natural history of the region during early 1900’s. Waterfalls mentioned include Bottomless Pools, Cullasaja Falls, Dutch Creek Falls, High Falls on West Fork Tuckasegee River, Linville Falls, and Mitchell Falls.
Occoneechee, The Maid of the Mystic Lake
Robert Frank Jarrett, 1916
Mortal eyes have never witnessed,
Mortal tongue can never tell
Of the grandeur and the beauty
Of the ravine and the dell.
Strange declivities confront you,
Then a sudden upright wall
Rises like a mystic figure,
With a splendid waterfall.
Jarrett’s book is a poetic novel centered around Occoneechee, a young Cherokee maiden, her father Junaluska, and the warrior Whippoorwill. The poem includes several references to North Carolina waterfalls, and the book features several waterfall photos. In addition to the loooong poem, the book delves into Cherokee heritage.
I must admit the only reason I read every word was to look for waterfall references. I don’t know if my struggle was because I’m not a poetry buff and simply couldn’t appreciate it, or because it’s not very good. I will say that for waterfalling history buffs, it’s a worthwhile read, and it’s nice looking at the historical photos.
Azure-Lure, A Romance of the Mountains
Idyl Dial Gray (editor), 1924
Catawba Falls—two of these, the upper and Lower, near the headwaters of the Catawba River. Combined, they take the stream through a descent of six hundred feet of wildest beauty.
Falling squarely in the “unabashed advertorial” category, Azure-Lure is a book-length advertisement wrapped in a travelogue’s clothing. Were it recently published, I wouldn’t give it credit, but given its age, the number of waterfall photos it includes—from such notable photographers as Herbert Pelton and George Masa—, and the amount of text devoted to waterfalls, I’m adding it to the must-read list for North Carolina waterfallers. Plus, admittedly, it’s very interesting seeing how Gray has intertwined a novel into an advertisement for all manner of businesses.
The French Broad
Wilma Dykeman, 1955
The French Broad is a river and a watershed and a way of life where day-before-yesterday and day-after-tomorrow exist in odd and fascinating harmony.
Dykeman’s book has no waterfall references, but the river it explores lays claim to hundreds of waterfalls in its headwaters. The French Broad is a classic, both for the historical dissection and in its unapologetic warning about the river’s pollution. It’s a treasured volume in my waterfall book collection.
