Murphy: River Landscapes, History and Culture

Get to know Murphy through three distinct highlights: a seasonal weekly market downtown, historic sites and riverside nature experiences. As you plan your trip, consider whether you’d like to focus your stay on a market Saturday, architectural and local history, or time spent walking and on the water.

Market Days and Arts

The Murphy Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from the first Saturday in April through the last Saturday in October at the L&N Depot downtown. This gives the market a clearly defined seasonal schedule. As the weekly schedule and season may change in the future, check the latest market details if you’re planning your trip specifically around a market Saturday.

Another cultural point of interest is the Valley River Arts Guild, which offers classes for children, teens and adults. The market and classes represent different aspects of Murphy’s cultural scene: a seasonal weekly market on the one hand, and art classes for three age groups on the other. If your trip is shaped by several interests, you can consider these offerings as separate starting points for your planning.

Local History and Architecture

The County Historical Museum in Murphy, North Carolina, explores the history of Indigenous people and pioneer settlers in the far western part of the state. This broad historical subject differs from the story of a single building, such as Harshaw Chapel, and offers another perspective on the region.

Harshaw Chapel offers a specific link to architectural history: the small brick church is built in the style of the original Greek Revival and was constructed in the 1860s for Murphy’s first Methodist congregation. As the oldest relatively intact building in Murphy, it connects architecture with the history of that congregation. The cemetery surrounding the chapel features notable Victorian tombstones, adding the design of historic grave markers to the story of the church building.

Exploring on Foot and on the Water

The Murphy River Walk includes about 4 miles of walking trails through various natural habitats immediately surrounding the historic downtown. The trails offer a glimpse of natural areas right beside the historic center.

The Murphy River Walk also includes canoe routes along the banks of the Valley River and the Hiwassee River. When Lake Hiwassee is full in summer, its backwater extends into these rivers and the adjoining lowlands. In these conditions, the shallow waters give paddlers the opportunity to glide between rivers, inlets and trees while observing birds, wildlife and fish species. For your paddling plans, the conditions described are important: the backwater extends into the rivers and lowlands when Lake Hiwassee is full in summer.

Planning considerations vary depending on your plans: the market follows a seasonal weekly schedule, the paddling opportunities described depend on summer water levels, and the walking trails are listed as approximately a certain length. This lets you take market dates, water conditions and trail length into account according to your interests.

Discover more destinations: Marble

For the broader travel overview: Cherokee County.