2016 Map of Whittier

About this map

Oconaluftee Indian Village and the town of Cherokee anchor this 2016 survey of the Qualla Boundary, where the Oconaluftee River meets Soco Cr. This landscape is a densely named network of family and community heritage, evidenced by the numerous cemeteries scattered across the slopes, including Birdtown Cem, Sneed Cem, and Stamper Cem. The topography is defined by significant ridges and coves, such as Spray Ridge and Hoot Owl Cove, while the southern reaches follow the Tuckasegee River through Whittier toward Dillsboro. This modern topographic record reveals the persistence of traditional settlements like Birdtown and Qualla alongside modern landmarks like Homer Burgess Lake. The border between Swain Co and Jackson Co bisects the terrain, illustrating how political boundaries overlay the natural drainage basins of Wrights Cr and Nations Cr.