Noccolula Falls - Gadsden, Alabama

Legend says that a young Cherokee princess named Noccolula, on her wedding day, wishing not to marry the man her father arranged for her, leaped to her death at the site of a great waterfall.

Noccolula Falls, a 90-foot cascade into the Black Creek Gorge near Gadsden, is one of Northeastern Alabama's most popular spots for hiking and camping. Located at the western end of Lookout Mountain, the falls are surrounded by a city park, campground, and a popular wedding chapel.

Noccolula translates to the "place where water thunders." The falls, whose water flow can vary by season, are an impressive sight with many great vantage points.

The land surrounding the falls changed hands several times in the 19th century. A former Gadsden mayor, Rueben A. Mitchell, purchased the land surrounding the falls in 1909. He intended to sell the land to the city for a future park. The City of Gadsden purchased the land in 1950 and began efforts to convert it into a city park.

The statue of Noccolula that graces the falls was commissioned by the Gadsden Women's Club. Installed in 1969, the statue depicts Princess Noccolula as she is about to leap into the falls.

Noccolula Falls and the hiking trails that surround them are free of charge. Noccolula Falls Park is operated by the City of Gadsden Park. The park charges a small admission fee of $8/adults & $6 for children/seniors. Kids under three are free. The park has mini-golf, a petting zoo, two miniature trains, a botanical garden, and more.

All photos were taken by post author - March 16, 2023.

Sources & Links:

Noccolula Falls Park
Noccolula Falls Park ---Encyclopedia of Alabama
Noccolula Falls Park ---ExploreSouthernHistory.com

How To Get There:

Comments

Former US Route 50 and the Pioneer Route Lincoln Highway on Johnson's Pass Road

Johnson's Pass Road is one of the oldest highway corridors in California. Johnson's Pass was part of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road as it was completed during 1856 over the Sierra Nevada. The pass would later be incorporated into the Pioneer Branch of the Lincoln Highway in 1913 and US Route 50 in 1926. Johnson's Pass Road would be bypassed by a new alignment of US Route 50 over Echo Summit in 1938. A replacement of the Meyers Grade east of Johnson's Pass would be opened to traffic in 1947. Johnson's Pass Road remains accessible to traffic and is still signed by the Lincoln Highway Association. Pictured as the blog cover is the view from the top of Johnson's Pass Road overlooking modern US Route 50 and Lake Tahoe. Part 1; the history of Johnson's Pass Much of the history of what become the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road is discussed in the September 1950 California Highways & Public Works during its Centennial Edition. The or...

Former US Route 50 and the South Lincoln Highway from Folsom east to Placerville

The corridor of Folsom of Sacramento County east to Placerville of El Dorado County has been a long established corridor of overland travel dating back to the California Gold Rush. The Folsom-Placerville corridor was once part of the path of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road which became the first California State Highway and later the South Lincoln Highway. In time the South Lincoln Highway's surface alignment was inherited by US Route 50. The Folsom-Placerville corridor also includes the communities of; Clarksville, Shingle Springs and El Dorado. Part 1; the history of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road, South Lincoln Highway and US Route 50 through Folsom-Placerville Folsom is located on the American River/Lake Natoma of eastern Sacramento County. That lands now occupied by the City of Folsom were part of Rancho Rio de los Americanos prior to the finding of gold at Sutter's Mill during 1848. During the California Gold Rush the lands of Rancho Rio de los Americanos were p...

Old NC 10 - The Central Highway: Old Fort to Black Mountain through the Royal Gorge

A unique way of tracing the remnants of the Central Highway is through the mountainous terrain of Eastern Buncombe and Western McDowell Counties. From the east on US 70, you reach the base of Blue Ridge Mountains at the town of Old Fort. Old Fort is a tiny rail town that the old Central Highway and now US 70 goes through. The Central Highway can be followed via a right onto Mill Creek Road from US 70. Follow the highway as it takes you closer to the mountains. When Mill Creek Road bears right to head towards Andrews Geyser stay straight until the road ends at a gate. The nearby Piney Grove Church can be used for parking. At this point, the old Central Highway began a 3.5 mile climb of the mountain to Swannanoa Gap. NC 10 and later US 70 travelers followed this road for over 30 years until a new and modern four lane US 70 was built to the south. This same four lane road would eventually become Interstate 40. The Centra...

Gribblenation

Search This Blog