Lake Junaluska, North Carolina - Lake Junaluska

Lake Junaluska is a census-designated place (CDP) in Haywood County, North Carolina, USA in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area. Lake Junaluska is named after the after nearby Mount Junaluska (now North Eaglenest Mountain), which in turn is named after Chief Junaluska, a Cherokee leader.

The 200 acre (0.81 km2) manmade lake is surrounded by private residences and the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, owned by the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. The lake is fed primarily from Richland Creek and discharges into the creek, maintaining an approximately constant lake level. Richland Creek is a tributary to the French Broad River. Recreation on the lake includes canoes, kayaks, fishing and swimming. Only electric trolling motors are permitted on the lake to maintain a quiet environment. There is a 3.5 mile paved walking trail around the lake enjoyed by visitors and residents. The Blue Ridge Parkway is nearby as well as Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

It is the site of the headquarters of the World Methodist Council (WMC), a consultative body linking almost all Methodist denominations worldwide. The headquarters is itself located on the campus of the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center which is used for United Methodist annual conferences and other religious conventions and events. The facilities are intended to be used for the renewal of "body, mind and spirit".

Geography

Lake Junaluska is located at 35°31′40″N 82°58′35″W (35.527829, -82.976495). It has a beautiful setting: Haywood County is known for the 18 peaks over 6,000 feet (1,829 m), more than any other county east of the Mississippi River. The 200 acres (0.81 km²) lake is surrounded by 1,200 acres (4.9 km²) of beautiful rolling hills and valleys.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 5.8 square miles (15 km²), of which, 5.5 square miles (14 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km²) of it (4.98%) is water.

Lake Junaluska has an oceanic climate with monthly averages ranging from 37.2 F in January to 70.9 F in July. Precipitation averages 46.1 inches annually and snowfall averages 13.8 inches. [1]

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,675 people, 1,262 households, and 861 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 483.6 people per square mile (186.8/km²). There were 1,848 housing units at an average density of 334.1 per square mile (129.0/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.65% White, 0.37% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.35% of the population.

There were 1,262 households out of which 18.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.57.

In the CDP, the population was spread out with 16.2% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 20.6% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 28.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $46,932, and the median income for a family was $54,444. Males had a median income of $38,224 versus $29,219 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $23,031. About 4.2% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.9% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.

History

On June 25, 1913, the Second General Missionary Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South convened in the new auditorium, beside a lake yet to be filled, created by damming Richland Creek. There were only 13 homes, and no hotel until 1914, so 4000 people had to stay elsewhere. Junaluska Inn was built in 1917 but burned the next year. A new hotel in 1921 went up on the same site, eventually to be named for Bishop Walter Lambuth; additions were made in 1956 and 1964. In 1923, a classroom building called Shackford Hall went up on the lake's west end. Both Lambuth Inn and Shackford Hall have been named to the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1922, a large, lighted cross was built at a spot overlooking the lake near Lambuth Inn, the oldest hotel at the lake. In 1994, a new cross was installed and the original, eventually restored, was moved to Mount Shepherd Retreat Center near Asheboro, North Carolina.

The Southeastern Jurisdiction (SEJ) of the United Methodist Church became the owner in 1948. In the 1950s, the World Methodist Council moved its headquarters to Lake Junaluska.

Today

Today, the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center hosts events for the United Methodist Church and other denomations and groups. There are events for all ages. Events in June, 2009, included the Music and Liturgical Arts Week and the Native American Summer Conference, among others. The Center also includes lodging, dining and recreational activities.

Lake Junaluska is a dry community where the sale of alcohol is restricted. The grocery stores do not stock alcohol and no alcohol is allowed on the campus of the Conference and Retreat Center. This rule originates from the Methodist heritage of Lake Junaluska.

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