#stratton meadows

[thecrimsonarcher]

(Just to add some info, Stratton Meadows' nearest neighbors is Johns Knob and Strawberry Knob. We accessed Stratton Meadows via North River instead of the Cherohala Skyway.)

Despite not being classified as an abandoned location, something about this area just felt downright hollow, a void known only to the derelict and worn down houses I have encountered in my journeys across these ancient mountains in my native southeastern corner of Tennessee. Something was missing, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. It was very, very cold up on the mountain that day, yet the frigid air could not snuff out the new lives being born as spring rolled around the corner. The sound of a distant bird's song carried in the chilly wind across what little remains of this once rolling plain that people would flock to long before my time. I envy those who have the recollection of how it used to be. As time passes, the needs of man grow to suit those changes. Sometimes, change can be good. Change can be beneficial to others if it could accomplish the task of making life easier.

And thus, the Cherohala Skyway was born. The Cherohala Skyway connects Tellico Plains(Tennessee) to Robbinsville(North Carolina) and spans some 43 miles through the Unicoi Mountains. Planning and construction began around 1958 and ended in October of 1996. Unfortunately, part of Stratton Meadows was taken out in order to make way for the bridge.

[thecrimsonarcher]

Stratton Meadows is a truly unique place. Many years ago, it was known as a top destination for families to have picnics during the spring and summer, when the tall, amber grasses once dominated a barren patch some 4000 feet above sea level in the Nantahala National Forest. As the old stories go, an elderly gentleman by the name of Absalum Stratton spent the last moments of his life on this  very land during a fateful visit with his son, John. They say he loved Tennessee and North Carolina so much that he wanted to spend eternity lying between the borders of both states.

Unfortunately, time is not always a fair mistress. Years after old Absalum had passed from this world, the Tennessee border was pushed further back. Old Absalum no longer exists in two places at the same time. His body now lies in Graham County, North Carolina, just up the road from Tennessee. Pictured here is the bridge that goes over the grave site. When I took this photo, I was standing on the Tennessee/North Carolina border. As soon as I delved into my research about the area, the entire situation just made me so sad. The distance between the modern border and the old one didn't seem too great, but to Absalum....it's just too far away.

[thecrimsonarcher]

If you ever find yourself on the Cherohala Skyway that's located outside of Tellico Plains, Tennessee, you will eventually come across one of the most unusual graves in this area, one whose story is just as unique as the location itself.

Located some distance above the Unicoi Overlook on the North Carolina side of the Skyway lies a solitary grave hidden beneath the shadow of a rather impressive bridge and a small grove of pine trees that stand guard over the elderly man who had passed on this land and the remains of the very land in which he spent his final moments. The grave belonged to a man named Absolum Stratton.

According to local legend, Absolum Stratton(1772-1852) was out visiting his son John, who lived on the Tennessee/North Carolina border in August of 1852. John lived within 200 yards of the Tennessee state line in a big, two story log cabin. Absolum had suddenly fallen ill during his visit, much to the dismay of his family. Since he did not fear death, he spoke openly about his ultimate fate, knowing good and well that he would never recover from his illness. John and his sons rushed to cut down a large tree and used the wood to construct a coffin by hand. Before he left this world, Absolum made his final request, which his family gladly honored. Because he loved Tennessee and North Carolina equally, his final wish was to be buried in both states at the same time. His coffin was placed on the state line, with his head residing in North Carolina and his feet, in Tennessee.