Proctor, North Carolina facts for kids

Proctor was once a small town in Swain County, North Carolina, U.S.A. It was located along Hazel Creek. The town got its name from Moses Proctor, who was one of the first European-American settlers in that area.

The town of Proctor was flooded by Fontana Lake. This lake was created when the Fontana Dam was built in 1944 during World War II. Most of Proctor remains underwater today, unless the lake's water levels become very low.

What Happened to Proctor?

While the offices of the Proctor mine were flooded, many parts of the town and its cemetery are still above the water line. You can still see one home and some remains of the old lumber mill.

Building Fontana Dam

The Fontana Dam was built very quickly during World War II. It was needed to produce electricity for making aluminum. Aluminum was a very important material for building airplanes during the war. The dam created Fontana Lake, which covered the town of Proctor and other areas.

A Town Under Water

Most of Proctor disappeared under the water of Fontana Lake. Today, it is mostly a "ghost town" that is hidden beneath the surface. Only when the lake's water level drops a lot can you see more of the old town.

Visiting the Remains

Even though much of Proctor is underwater, some parts are still reachable. The old cemeteries and some town remains are above the water. However, these places can only be reached by walking along trails. The National Park Service used to provide ferry boats to help people visit the cemeteries.

The Road That Was Never Finished

After the town was flooded, the people who used to live in Proctor were promised a new road. This road, called Lakeview Drive, was supposed to run along the north side of the lake. It would have helped them reach their old homes and cemeteries.

Why the Road Wasn't Built

Only about seven miles of the promised road were ever built. There were several reasons why the road was not finished:

• The area where Proctor was located became part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
• The National Park Service did not want the road to be built through the park.
• There was not enough money to finish the road after the war ended.

Proctor in Popular Culture

The town of Proctor has been mentioned in a TV show called It Happened to Me on ASY TV. In one episode, a hiker named John Vineyard talked about a difficult trip through the town. He described seeing bears and rattlesnakes during his journey.