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The Debate over North Shore Road

This lesson activity explores the debate over the construction of North Shore Road through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in North Carolina between Bryson City and Fontana Village. Students will study primary sources images, maps and the HABS survey data pages to determine environmental impact of the North Shore Road project.

Weblink address (URL): 
The Debate over North Shore Road
Home Page- source

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Applying
Extension suggestions: 
  • Divide the class into two groups and have them debate construction of the road. Students should do additional research to discover viewpoints and discussion points each side used in their arguments.
  • Have students research how this debate was resolved and write a Letter to the Editor either in favor or opposed to the resolution.
  • Have students compare and contrast the 1980 map of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park with the 1926 map of the proposed area for the park. How was the landscape changed by the construction of Fontana Dam? Then have students research the benefits and drawbacks of the dam.

Helpful Hints

PRIMARY SOURCES USED:

  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park Roads & Bridges, Northshore Road, 1 mile spur at Fontana Dam & Bryson City to Noland Creek, Gatlinburg vicinity, Sevier, TN
    • 1. Opposition sign posted on private property at the entrance to the road looking NW. HAER TENN,78-GAT.V,6I-1 (See left)
    • 2. Northshore Road, view of rock cut along road. HAER TENN,78-GAT.V,6I-2
    • 6. Northshore Road, bridge before tunnel, deck view. HAER TENN,78-GAT.V,6I-6
    • 7. Northshore Road, tunnel portal HAER TENN,78-GAT.V,6I-7
    • 8. End of road from inside tunnel looking NW. HAER TENN,78-GAT.V,6I-8
    • 9. Roadway and Fontana Dam looking N. HAER TENN,78-GAT.V,6I-9
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park / National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. [1980]
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park. [1951]