Marble, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Marble is an unincorporated community
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...

 in Cherokee County
Cherokee County, North Carolina
- Transportation :Cherokee County is well known in North Carolina as the westernmost of the state's 100 counties. Several US and state highways serve the county, linking it with other regions of North Carolina, along with the neighboring states of Georgia and Tennessee.US 64 - the longest highway...

, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...

, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

.

Marble's elevation is 1,680 feet (512.1 m). It has an area of 30.1867 square miles (78.2 km²). Its ZIP code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...

 is 28905.

Indigenous Peoples

Before settlement, Cherokee County was home to the Cherokee Indians, who was a tribe of Native Americans that made their home in Southeastern United States
Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, colloquially referred to as the Southeast, is the eastern portion of the Southern United States. It is one of the most populous regions in the United States of America....

 (principally Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...

, the Carolinas
The Carolinas
The Carolinas is a term used in the United States to refer collectively to the states of North and South Carolina. Together, the two states + have a population of 13,942,126. "Carolina" would be the fifth most populous state behind California, Texas, New York, and Florida...

 and Eastern Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...

) They were one of the "Five Civilized Tribes
Five Civilized Tribes
The Five Civilized Tribes were the five Native American nations—the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole—that were considered civilized by Anglo-European settlers during the colonial and early federal period because they adopted many of the colonists' customs and had generally good...

" because of their assimilation of European-American cultural and technological practices. This is also the origin of the county's name.

County Formation

In 1791, Colonel David Vance
Colonel David Vance
Colonel David Vance was born near Winchester, Virginia, circa 1745, the oldest son of Samuel Vance and descended from the DeVaux family in Normandy...

 and General William Lee Davidson
William Lee Davidson
William Lee Davidson was a North Carolina militia general during the American Revolutionary War.-Origins and education:His father moved with his family to Rowan County, North Carolina, in 1750, and William, the youngest son, was educated at Queen's Museum in Charlotte.-Military Campaigns:Active...

 presented a petition to the North Carolina House of Commons that said "petition of the inhabitants of that part of Burke County lying west of the Appalachian Mountains praying that a part of said county, and part of Rutherford County, be made into a separate and distinct county." Originally, the bill to create the county had the name Union, but was changed to Buncombe in honor of Col. Edward Buncombe
Edward Buncombe
Edward Buncombe was a plantation owner from the Province of North Carolina who served as a colonel in the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. He is the namesake of Buncombe County in western North Carolina...

, a Revolutionary War hero from Tyrell County, North Carolina.

The Bill was ratified on January 14, 1792. The new county included most of Western North Carolina and was so large it was commonly referred to it as the "State of Buncombe." Approximately 1,000 people lived in the county.

In 1808, the western portion of Buncombe County was separated to form Haywood County. The bill, introduced by General Thomas Love became law on December 23, 1808 and was official in March 1809.

In 1838, Macon County was formed from the Western side of Haywood County. 11 years later, Macon formed Cherokee County.

Origin of Name

Marble got its name from various marble quarries in the community. Currently, none are functioning and have filled with water.

Law Enforcement

Marble is serviced by the Andrew's Police Department located in Andrews, North Carolina
Andrews, North Carolina
Andrews is a town in Cherokee County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,602 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Andrews is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land.-History:...

, at 1101 Main Street.

Crime Data

According to the 2010 Crime Rate Index, Marble was rated a rape crime risk of 151 and a murder crime risk 124. Marble also scored 77 for vehicle theft and 53 for larceny. All scores are compared to a national average of 100. North Carolina average is 110.

Demographics

As of the 2000 Census, there were 2543 people.

The area is predominantly white, with 94% (2,390 people) being white, 2.1% (53 people) being Hispanic or Latino, 2% (50 people) being Native American, 1% (25) being mixed race, .8% (20 people) being black, and .2% (5 people) being Asian.

Occupations

19.1% of individuals over the age of 16, are employed in management or professional industries. 19.1% are employed in the service industry, 16.9% are employed in sales or office industries, 14.9% are employed in construction, extraction and maintenance while the remaining 28.3% are employed in production and transportation.

12.3% of people are below the poverty line.

Household Income

7.5% make less than $10,000 per year. 11.4% make between $10,000 and $14,999. 27.3% make between $15,000 and $24,999 per year. 14.2% make between $50,000 and $74,999 per year and 24.5% make between $35,000 and $49,999 per year. 14.2% make between $50,000 and $74,999 per year while the remaining 3.6% make over $75,000 per year.

1.7% of Marble individuals are unemployed with 3.9% living below poverty. Median household income is $28,553.

Schools and Colleges

Marble is in close proximity to Tri-County Community College which has campuses in Hayesville, North Carolina
Hayesville, North Carolina
Hayesville is a town in Clay County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 297 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Clay County.-Geography:Hayesville is located at ....

, Murphy, North Carolina
Murphy, North Carolina
-Household Income:The median income for a household in the town was $24,952, and the median income for a family was $35,234. Males had a median income of $30,395 versus $16,908 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,926...

, and Brasstown, North Carolina
Brasstown, North Carolina
Brasstown is an unincorporated community in Clay County, North Carolina, United States.-Possum Drop:The Possum Drop is an annual event at convenience store organized by proprietors Clay and Judy Logan. At midnight on New Year's Eve, instead of dropping an object, a plexiglass pyramid containing a...

.

Public Education

The public school system (Cherokee County Schools) is run by the Cherokee County Board of Education

Children in Marble will attend Marble Elementary School at 2230 Airport Road. This school covers grades Pre-k to 4th grade and was given a GreatSchools rating of 5/10.

From 5th grade and on, students attend Andrews middle and Highschool located in Andrews, North Carolina, each scored 8/10 and 5/10 on GreatSchools respectively.

Highways

Marble sits on US 19/129/74, which runs east-west between Andrews, North Carolina, and the Murphy, North Carolina. Slow Creek Road (141) runs south toward the Murphy Medical Center in Peachtree, North Carolina.

Airport

Western Carolina Regional Airport , known locally as the Murphy Airport, Andrews Airport, or Murphy-Andrews Airport, is located approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km)west of Marble.

Topography

Marble is located in the Southeastern United States
Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, colloquially referred to as the Southeast, is the eastern portion of the Southern United States. It is one of the most populous regions in the United States of America....

 in the southwestern portion of the North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...

 State, approximately halfway between Atlanta, Georgia and Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...

. The location in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. This province consists of northern and southern physiographic regions, which divide near the Roanoke River gap. The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, starting at its southern-most...

 of Appalachia
Appalachia
Appalachia is a term used to describe a cultural region in the eastern United States that stretches from the Southern Tier of New York state to northern Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. While the Appalachian Mountains stretch from Belle Isle in Canada to Cheaha Mountain in the U.S...

, has helped the community retain a rural character, surrounded by wildlife such as bear
Bear
Bears are mammals of the family Ursidae. Bears are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living relatives. Although there are only eight living species of bear, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern...

, deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...

, fox
Fox
Fox is a common name for many species of omnivorous mammals belonging to the Canidae family. Foxes are small to medium-sized canids , characterized by possessing a long narrow snout, and a bushy tail .Members of about 37 species are referred to as foxes, of which only 12 species actually belong to...

 and recently reintroduced elk
Elk
The Elk is the large deer, also called Cervus canadensis or wapiti, of North America and eastern Asia.Elk may also refer to:Other antlered mammals:...

.

According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...

, Marble has a total area of 30.19 square miles (78.2 km²).

Climate

Marble has a humid subtropical climate
Humid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters...

, (Cfa) according to the Köppen classification, with hot, humid summers and mild, but occasionally cold winters by the standards of the southern United States.

July highs average 85 °F (29 °C) or above, and lows average 55 °F (12.8 °C). Infrequently, temperatures can even exceed 100 °F (38 °C). January is the coldest month, with an average high of 48 °F (9 °C), and low of 33 °F (.6 °C).

Like the rest of the southeastern U.S., Marble receives abundant rainfall, which is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year. Average annual rainfall is 55.9 inches (1,420 mm). Blizzards are rare but possible; one nicknamed the 1993 Storm of the Century hit the entire Eastern United States
Eastern United States
The Eastern United States, the American East, or simply the East is traditionally defined as the states east of the Mississippi River. The first two tiers of states west of the Mississippi have traditionally been considered part of the West, but can be included in the East today; usually in...

 in March, 1993.

Climate Data for Marble
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average High Fº(Cº)
47.8 (8.8)
52.2 (11.2)
61.1 (16.2)
69.9 (21.0)
77.3 (25.2)
83.3 (28.5)
85.8 (29.9)
85.6 (29.8)
80.7 (27.0)
71.8 (22.1)
61.9 (16.5)
51.4 (10.8)
Average Low Fº(Cº)
24.1 (-4.4)
26.1 (-3.3)
32.9 (0.5)
39.9 (4.4)
49.1 (9.5)
56.8 (13.8)
61.4 (16.3)
60.9 (16)
54.8 (12.7)
41.6 (5.3)
34.2 (1.2)
26.8 (-2.9)
Precipitation Inches(mm)
5.2 (132)
5.2 (132)
6.0 (152.4)
4.6 (116.8)
4.6 (116.8)
4.2 (106.7)
5.5 (139.7)
4.1 (121.9)
3.7 (94.0)
3.3 (83.2)
4.1 (104.1)
4.8 (121.9)

Culture

Situated in the midst of the Appalachian Mountains, Marble has a rich heritage, rural character and a colorful population.

Local Festivals and Celebrations

'Possum Drop
The Possum Drop
The Possum Drop in Brasstown, North Carolina is an annual "hillbilly" event at convenience store organized by proprietors Clay and Judy Logan. At midnight on New Year's Eve, instead of dropping an object, a plexiglass pyramid containing a living opossum is lowered from the roof of the store...

, is an annual New Year's celebration held at a local gas station called Clay's Corner, which celebrates every New Year's by dropping a live opossum in a plexiglass pyramid from the roof of the store. They also hold the annual Miss Possum Queen, have many snacks and beverages, and Bluegrass Music.

The Bi-annual Celebration of Flight Airshow, located at the Andrews-Murphy Airport, is a huge presentation of aircraft, both vintage and hi-tech. There are many vendors that sell food, drink, and other festivities.

Religion

Historically, religion has been a very important part of Appalachian life. Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...

, like much of the rest of the Southern United States
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...

, is very predominant in Marble and the surrounding communities. Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...

 Christian faiths are well represented here. Some local Churches are Marble Springs Baptist Church, Emanuel Baptist Church, Fair-view Church and Kingdom Hall-Jehovah's Witness.

Media

Marble and the surrounding area is served by a few local television stations, numerous local radio stations that serve several genres of music including sports, news and talk radio in addition to three local papers.

A local Television Station is W31AN (Channel 31) Based in Murphy, North Carolina.

Marble is also served by 8 local radio stations. WCVP-AM (600), WCNG-FM (102.7), and WKRK-AM (1320) are based in Murphy, North Carolina. WCVP-FM
WCVP-FM
WCVP-FM is a radio station broadcasting a Country music format. Licensed to Robbinsville, North Carolina, USA. The station is currently owned by Cherokee Broadcasting Company, Inc. and features programing from AP Radio and Jones Radio Network....

 (95.9) in Robbinsville, WFSC-AM (1050), WPFJ-AM (1480), WFQS-FM (91.3), and WNCC-FM
WNCC-FM
WNCC-FM is a radio station broadcasting a country music format. Licensed to Franklin, North Carolina, USA. The station is currently owned by Sutton Radiocasting Corporation and features programing from ABC Radio and Jones Radio Network.-History:...

 (96.7) based in Franklin, North Carolina

The most important newspaper in Cherokee County is the Cherokee Scout
Cherokee Scout
The Cherokee Scout is the weekly newspaper for Murphy, North Carolina, and its surrounding area. It is one of the largest newspapers in far-west North Carolina.The print edition is published on Wednesdays and has a circulation of more than 9,500....

 which, in addition to Cherokee County, covers Clay County, North Carolina and Towns County, Georgia. Two other notable newspapers are the Clay County Progress
Clay County Progress
Clay County Progress is a weekly newspaper based in Clay County, North Carolina covering Clay and Cherokee counties in North Carolina and Towns County, Georgia....

and the Towns County Herald.
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK