Lake Junaluska, North Carolina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lake Junaluska, North Carolina
Census-designated place
A Christian cross stands above the community.
Location of Lake Junaluska, North Carolina
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
County	Haywood
Area
• Total	5.61 sq mi (14.52 km2)
• Land	5.29 sq mi (13.71 km2)
• Water	0.31 sq mi (0.81 km2)
Elevation	2,674 ft (815 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,219
• Density	608.05/sq mi (234.77/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code	28745
Area code(s)	828
FIPS code	37-36480
GNIS feature ID	2403193

Lake Junaluska is a special community in Haywood County, North Carolina. It's known for its beautiful artificial lake, which is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This area is part of the larger Asheville region.

The name "Lake Junaluska" comes from a nearby mountain, which was named after a Cherokee leader from the early 1800s. In 2020, about 3,219 people lived in this community.

The lake itself is about 200 acres big and is surrounded by homes and a special place called the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. Water flows into the lake mainly from Richland Creek and then flows back out, keeping the lake level steady. Richland Creek eventually joins the Pigeon River.

At Lake Junaluska, you can enjoy many water activities like canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. There's also a swimming pool by the lake. To keep things peaceful, only electric motors are allowed on the lake. You can walk or run on a paved trail around the lake, which is 2.3 miles long, or take a longer 3.8-mile trail. The area also has an 18-hole golf course, courts for pickleball, tennis, bocce ball, corn hole, and shuffleboard. The famous Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are also close by.

History of Lake Junaluska

Before 1839, the land around Lake Junaluska was the home of the Cherokee people. Today, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians lives on the Qualla Boundary in North Carolina. Most of the original Cherokee lands were settled by European Americans.

Two Methodist pastors, James Atkins and George R. Stuart, wanted to create a special gathering place in the southeastern United States. They imagined a place like Chautauqua Lake in New York or Winona Lake in Indiana. In 1908, they bought 1,200 acres of land to make this dream come true.

On June 25, 1913, a large Methodist meeting took place in a new building called Stuart Auditorium. It was built next to the new lake, which was being filled by damming Richland Creek. At that time, there were only 13 houses and no hotels, so 4,000 visitors had to find places to stay nearby.

The first hotel, Auditorium Hotel, was built in 1914 but sadly burned down in 1920. Another hotel, the Junaluska Inn, was built in 1917 but also burned down the next year. A new hotel was built in 1921 on the same spot. It was later named Lambuth Inn and had more sections added in 1956 and 1964.

In 1923, a classroom building called Shackford Hall was built at the west end of the lake. Both Lambuth Inn and Shackford Hall are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, meaning they are important historical sites.

A large, lighted Christian cross was put up in 1922 on a hill overlooking the lake, near Lambuth Inn. In 1994, a new cross was installed. The original cross was later fixed up and moved to another retreat center.

In 1948, the Southeastern Jurisdiction (SEJ) of the United Methodist Church became the owner of Lake Junaluska. The Lake Junaluska Assembly Inc., which runs the area, has been a tax-exempt organization since 1959. In the 1950s, the World Methodist Council, a group that connects Methodist churches worldwide, moved its main office to Lake Junaluska. In 2021, the World Methodist Council sold its building to the Assembly and moved to nearby Waynesville.

Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center

The Lake Junaluska Assembly Inc. used to get money from the United Methodist Church for almost 100 years. Now, it operates more like a business. The Board of Directors for the Lake Junaluska Assembly acts as the local government for the community. They also own the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, the lake, the dam, and all the fun recreation spots.

The Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center hosts many events for different religious groups and other organizations. Stuart Auditorium often has musical events, including Folkmoot USA programs and Appalachian bluegrass concerts. The Smoky Mountain Folk Festival is also held here. The goal of these facilities is to help people feel refreshed in their "body, mind and spirit."

The Terrace Hotel and the Lambuth Inn are the main places to stay in the community. They were updated in 2015 and 2018. The Corneille Bryan Native Garden nearby has many plants that used to be common in the area but are now rare.

Memorial Chapel

A group of 32 people, called the Board of Trustees, manages the Conference and Retreat Center. Most of them own property in Lake Junaluska. This board helps guide the center, approves its budget, and sets fees for residents and utilities like water and sewer. An Executive Director handles the daily operations and reports to the board. The board also approves changes to the community's rules.

Lake Junaluska offers many things to do, including places to stay, meeting rooms, dining, walking trails, gardens, quiet meditation spots, golf, and other fun activities. The money to keep the public areas, like the lake and the dam, in good shape comes mostly from donations and from guests staying at the lodging. The lake is also cleaned regularly to remove dirt carried in by Richland Creek. All properties within the Assembly's boundaries have special rules that allow the Board of Trustees to set regulations and have the first chance to buy properties if they go up for sale.

In 2022, work began on a big renovation project for the old World Methodist Council headquarters. Lake Junaluska bought this building in 2021. It was renamed the Warren Center after Mike and Anne Warren, who donated a lot of money for its purchase and renovation. In June 2024, the first event was held in this building, which will be used for weddings and community gatherings.

Geography and Location

Lake Junaluska dam

The community of Lake Junaluska is in the middle of Haywood County, just east of the lake. The lake was created by building a dam on Richland Creek. Haywood County is special because it has 18 mountain peaks that are over 6,000 feet tall, which is more than any other county east of the Mississippi River. The closest tall mountains are High Top on Utah Mountain, about 2 miles north, and North Eaglenest Mountain (once called Mount Junaluska), about 4 miles southwest.

North Eaglenest Mountain, once called Mount Junaluska

Lake Junaluska is surrounded by other towns. Waynesville, the county seat, is to the south. Maggie Valley is to the west, and Clyde is to the east. Several major roads, including U.S. Routes 19, 23, 74, and 276, pass through the community. Interstate 40 is just northeast, with easy access from Exits 24 and 27.

Asheville, a larger city, is about 27 miles east. Route 19 goes west about 25 miles to Cherokee, where the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians lives, and it's also near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Routes 23 and 74 lead southwest to Sylva, and US 276 goes southeast through Waynesville to Brevard.

The Lake Junaluska area covers about 5.6 square miles. Most of this is land, and a smaller part, about 0.3 square miles, is water.

Weather and Climate

Lake Junaluska has a mild climate, similar to coastal areas, even though it's inland. The average temperature in January is about 37 degrees Fahrenheit, and in July, it's around 71 degrees Fahrenheit. The area gets about 46 inches of rain each year and about 14 inches of snow.

Life in Lake Junaluska Today

Malcom the Swan

The Lake Junaluska Public Works office takes care of the roads and utilities like water and sewer. The community buys its water from the town of Waynesville, and Waynesville also handles the sewage treatment. Money from water and sewer fees, along with annual service fees, helps pay for keeping these systems working and making improvements. The community has a plan to fix roads and replace old water and sewer pipes to save money by stopping leaks.

A group of elected representatives, called the Community Council, helps guide the public works office and the Conference and Retreat Center. They discuss important topics like utility rates, service charges, and community rules. Their monthly meetings are open, so property owners can learn about new plans and share their ideas.

The people who live in Lake Junaluska, whether all year or just part-time, are a lively and diverse group. They enjoy many chances to get involved in fun activities and meet new people. There are community groups like the Lake Junaluska Assembly Property Owners organization (LJAPOO), which deals with property issues. Another group, the Junaluskans, is a service group that meets twice a month and supports many activities.

The campus is also home to the Foundation for Evangelism. This non-profit group helps ministries of the United Methodist Church. They work to encourage new generations of clergy (religious leaders) and church members who are passionate about sharing their faith.

Population and People

In 2020, the census counted 3,219 people living in Lake Junaluska. There were 1,477 households and 841 families.

See also

In Spanish: Lake Junaluska (Carolina del Norte) para niños