Lake Junaluska North Carolina

Prior to the removal of the Indians in 1839, the Lake Junaluska area was part of the homeland of the Cherokee Indians. The 200-acre man-made lake is surrounded by private homes and the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center of the United Methodist Church.

There is a paved walking trail around the lake. The property was purchased in 1908. The Auditorium was built in 1913. The first hotel was built in 1914 but burned in 1920. A second hotel was built in 1917 but burned down in 1918. It was rebuilt in 1921. The large lighted cross was built in 1922. The Center was modeled after Chautauqua Lake Retreat in upstate New York. My father remembered attending meetings in the 1920’s. Many other buildings and hotels have been added since then.

The Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church became the owner of the Center in 1948. The primary function of the SEJ is to meet every four years to elect new bishops for the annual conferences in their region. Although the Center hosts events for the UMC, the Center also hosts concerts and festivals. The amenities include lodgings, meeting facilities, and recreation facilities. I attended the Reconciling Ministries Network annual conference there in 2005, which is where the photos came from.

The Board of Trustees is made up primarily of property owners around the lake, that also provides public utilities. The lake is bordered by Waynesville and Maggie Valley. Most of the facilities are also available for private retreats and vacation rentals. Many of the residents live at Junaluska year-round as a resort community. (Historical information is from Wikipedia.)

The Center is only 27 miles from Asheville and close to I-40, so it is easily accessible. It is also close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The lake is comparable to Lake Lure, which also is one of the most scenic areas in the state. Conferences are held year-round, but the summer is the most popular, followed by the fall color season. The surrounding mountains to the northwest of I-40 are not as easily accessible. Several scenic sites and waterfalls are located to the south. It is a convenient location for touring attractions in the surrounding area.

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