Newspaper Article from Waynesville Preservationist

“When I moved here from Texas in 2018 I was greeted by my gracious neighbor, who welcomed me to my small dead-end street near downtown. She shared an article from the Waynesville Preservationist from the early 1900s. Waynesville residents were gathered on the hill for the auction of the land where my home now sits. It was very meaningful for me to get a historical perspective of my new home. I appreciated the welcoming spirit of my new neighbors, as I have experienced to also be true of Waynesville residents overall. I have wondered if the fact it is so easy to make new friends has to do with the large number of ‘transplants’ from around the country. If I get bored all I have to do is walk to our lovely downtown and easily engage in conversations.

“I came to the area initially because of the climate and the mountains. I learned after I moved here that both my paternal and my maternal ancestors settled in this area. My paternal family settled in Cruso, the Burnetts, and the Presnalls, my maternal family settled in Boone. I knew I had a Cherokee ancestor from this area, but I had no idea about the other ancestral connections until I had already moved here.

“I had visited this area a couple times before, once as a teenager and then about ten years ago. Both times I felt like I was ‘home.’ Now, knowing my family history, being able to live here has an even deeper meaning.”

Interview edited for clarity

Submitted by Liza Ely on July 9, 2022