Roscoe W Hall Bridge
Sep 10, 2023, 10:32 PM
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The bridge you see above connects Murphy to the Joe Brown Highway. Known locally as "the Joe Brown," the road generally follows the route of the old Unicoi Turnpike, which crosses the Unicoi Pass and continues west to Coker Creek, Tennessee.
The road has a long and rich history. Originally, it was simply a footpath that connected Cherokee towns in Tennessee to settlements in the Carolinas. During the 17th and 18th centuries, it served as a major trade route for Native Americans and early European settlers.
In the early 1800s, entrepreneurs converted the path into a toll road and named it the Unicoi Turnpike. During the Cherokee Removal in 1838, the Unicoi Turnpike became the first leg of the journey for the Cherokee people being forcibly removed from North Carolina. This road, therefore, became the beginning of what is now known as the Trail of Tears.
By the time of the Civil War, the old road had largely been abandoned in favor of newer transportation routes, but a toll gate remained in operation at Unicoi Gap until the early 20th century.
Today, the Joe Brown Highway and the Unicoi Turnpike remain popular scenic routes through the mountains, especially during the fall foliage season.
In 2015, this bridge was dedicated to the memory of Roscoe W. Hall, a beloved resident and community leader.
The road has a long and rich history. Originally, it was simply a footpath that connected Cherokee towns in Tennessee to settlements in the Carolinas. During the 17th and 18th centuries, it served as a major trade route for Native Americans and early European settlers.
In the early 1800s, entrepreneurs converted the path into a toll road and named it the Unicoi Turnpike. During the Cherokee Removal in 1838, the Unicoi Turnpike became the first leg of the journey for the Cherokee people being forcibly removed from North Carolina. This road, therefore, became the beginning of what is now known as the Trail of Tears.
By the time of the Civil War, the old road had largely been abandoned in favor of newer transportation routes, but a toll gate remained in operation at Unicoi Gap until the early 20th century.
Today, the Joe Brown Highway and the Unicoi Turnpike remain popular scenic routes through the mountains, especially during the fall foliage season.
In 2015, this bridge was dedicated to the memory of Roscoe W. Hall, a beloved resident and community leader.