Our View: Unburying the past
Given the isolation of our mountain communities, local history is easily buried, tucked away or often retained by only a few people. Because of this, the potential to lose a connection to our past is significant, making projects to unearth our High Country roots important efforts. Currently, no project is more important than the one now being exhumed in the community of Junaluska.
Found at the base of Howard's Knob in Boone, this historically black community is an anomaly in the High Country — but it is an anomaly with tentacles reaching far beneath the surface of our county. Were it not for those men and women who built and lived in this community, Watauga County and Boone would be a much different place today.
And were it not for the ambitious group of researchers now undertaking the task of bringing this community's past forward, little would be retained of the important history found in what was once a segregated town within a town.
The project was inspired by the efforts of members of St. Luke's Episcopal Church to uncover the racial history of the parish. Now, joined by local historians and current community members, much of the history of “The Hill” — an area that included its own church, school, restaurant and other community attributes — is made public.
There is still much work to do. Future plans could include books or festivals and at least one important decision — whether to apply for a historic designation. Such distinction can be both boon and bust to a community. The past is sealed, but future growth can only take place in accord within strict guidelines.
Applying for such designation is no easy decision, but we have no doubt that current members of this historic site will make a choice that is best for their community — exactly as they did when they offered access and a glimpse into a piece of history that has been blanketed for decades.
Found at the base of Howard's Knob in Boone, this historically black community is an anomaly in the High Country — but it is an anomaly with tentacles reaching far beneath the surface of our county. Were it not for those men and women who built and lived in this community, Watauga County and Boone would be a much different place today.
And were it not for the ambitious group of researchers now undertaking the task of bringing this community's past forward, little would be retained of the important history found in what was once a segregated town within a town.
The project was inspired by the efforts of members of St. Luke's Episcopal Church to uncover the racial history of the parish. Now, joined by local historians and current community members, much of the history of “The Hill” — an area that included its own church, school, restaurant and other community attributes — is made public.
There is still much work to do. Future plans could include books or festivals and at least one important decision — whether to apply for a historic designation. Such distinction can be both boon and bust to a community. The past is sealed, but future growth can only take place in accord within strict guidelines.
Applying for such designation is no easy decision, but we have no doubt that current members of this historic site will make a choice that is best for their community — exactly as they did when they offered access and a glimpse into a piece of history that has been blanketed for decades.