Basics
- Length:
- 18 miles (29 km)
- Time:
- 35 minutes
Description
Journey this byway to historic and archaeological areas relating to American Indian culture. The road travels through some of North Carolina's quiet towns providing a scenic drive with a few pleasant stops. Travelers will drive through peach country where they may be enticed to stop at a roadside fruitstand for some fresh, plump peaches.
The byway begins the Uwharrie Lakes area in the little town of Ellerbe. Ellerbe was named for W.T. Ellerbe who developed Ellerbe Springs further along the byway. The springs are home to the Historic Ellerbe Springs Inn and Restaurant where some visitors may want to dine and stay for a while to fully enjoy the surroundings.
At the end of the byway, traveler's will find the route's namesake. The Town Creek Indian Mound offers an in depth look atone of the oldest cultures ever to inhabit the lands of North Carolina. The Creek Indians of the Pee Dee peoples built mounds and had ceremonies here nearly 400 years ago. Tour the reconstructed temples and learn more.
Points of Interest
Points of Interest Along The Way
Ellerbe Springs (NC)
Visitors to Ellerbe Springs will be entranced by a beautiful historic building amid the hardwood trees native to North Carolina.During the 18th century, Ellerbe Springs was famous for its mineral springs which were said to have extraordinary healing powers. Now as an Inn and Restaurant, Ellerbe Springs has powers of a different sort. Visitors now come to the resort to relax and enjoy the dining available there. Ellerbe Springs is also unique in the Murder Mystery Dinner that is offered there for the entertainment of guests.
Directions
The byway passes Ellerbe Springs at its southeastern end.
Rankin Museum of American Heritage (NC)
This museum offers a general collection of artifacts that give clues to both early American history and natural history. The collections featured at the Rankin Museum are varied in their original places and times. For a broad and intriguing view of history, this museum is a perfect stop.
Directions
This museum can be found in Ellerbe where the byway begins.
Town Creek Indian Mound (NC)
At the beginning of the 20th century, archaeologists began an excavation of what is now the Town Creek Indian Mound. As North Carolina's oldest state historic site, Town Creek features a visitor center for the exploration of a past culture. The site includes a reconstructed mound and ceremonial dwellings of the past cultures of the Pee Dee Lakes Region. Visitors are able to explore these structures and view several exhibits about the culture and artifacts from the area.
Directions
Located at the northwest end of the byway on SR 1542.
Uwharrie National Forest (NC)
As one of four National Forests in North Carolina, the Uwharrie National Forest holds many natural treasures. Many lifelong North Carolina residents are unfamiliar with the little Uwharries. As remnants of an ancient chain of island volcanoes that were active some 600 million years ago, these peaks once exceeded 10,000 feet in elevation.
Directions
Just north of the byway.
Wadesboro (NC)
Settled in 1783, Wadesboro now features a historic district of significance to travelers and residents. Wadesboro is the county seat of Anson County and the largest city in proximity the byways in the lower region of the Uwharrie Lakes area. Wadesboro also features the Boggan-Hammond House Museum. This structure was one of the earliest in the area dating back to the 1780s. The historical society offers tours.
Directions
Located southwest of the byway on US Highway 74.
