Cullowhee gets new welcome sign
A new sign along Old Cullowhee Road now welcomes visitors and residents alike to Cullowhee’s historic center, thanks to efforts from the Cullowhee Revitalization Endeavor, also known as CuRvE.
Made from a single slab of stone, the sign is located halfway between the entrance to the Jackson County Greenway and the new Tuckaseigee River bridge. The metal letters on its surface spell out “Welcome to Cullowhee” in both Cherokee and English. It was funded through a grant from Jackson County with significant contributions from the Cullowhee River Club.
Formed in 2007, CuRvE’s primary goal is to create a river park on the banks of the Tuckaseigee below the Cullowhee Dam. If built, the park would contribute significantly to the area’s economic development and recreational amenities, according to a study the group funded.
The project has been delayed by the state’s decision to replace the 1940s bridge that takes traffic over the river. CuRvE consulted closely with DOT on the design and landscaping of the bridge, with the final product expected to make the river park option more attractive.
In addition to its other activities, CuRvE spearheads “trash mobs” that assemble to pick up trash along Old Cullowhee Road, in January removing 418 pounds of litter from the road.
