This booklet is only a brief survey of some of the major forces and steps that have made the County of Graham what it is today. No attempt has been made to write a definitive history of the county. Such a history would take years to complete and would include among other things, a more generous treatment of the genealogy of the early families. Every resident of Graham County can say with the Psalmist of old, "Yes, we have a goodly heritage." We return to the past to reminisce with pleasure but not to linger there. Our heritage is yet in the making and may we profit from the experiences of the past.

We attempt not to justify that which may have been included or omitted. We have chosen those historical events, personalities, and even early folklore that would seem to be representative of the large body of historical data.  Where roots go deeply into the past, it is sometimes hard to guarantee that everything about an article is true. We ask that allowances be made for errors or omissions.

We are indebted to many in the gathering of data for this publication. First and foremost we are indebted to the late Belle Slaughter whose valuable historical collection has been made available to us. We further express our thanks to the following: John Veach for writing the history of Bemis Lumber Company, and Graham County Railroad; Doyle Brock for pictures and information of lumbering industries; William L. Nothstein for writing history of the Forest Service and early logging in the county; Robert B. Barker for information on Civil War; Hildred Millsaps in research of history of Robbinsville First Baptist; Mrs. Ruth Elliott for the Fontana Story; James Barrett for Tapoco history; Joyce Jenkins and Howard Edwards in developing data pertaining to Stecoah and Tuskeegee; J. D. Carver for photography; John and Mary Howell for all illustrations; and to Annette Stratton Edwards and Voyce C. Lovin for hours and hours of typing of the manuscript.

It would be impossible to give credit to all who have contributed pictures, information, or support in this effort; it was truly a county effort. To all we express our deep appreciation.

Leonard Lloyd, Centennial President

Colonel Harry Hancock, Centennial Coordinator

Booth Crisp, Jr., Centennial Sheriff

Jack Lovin, Historian	Marion Ingram, Assistant Historian
Mary Howell, Illustrator	John Howell, Co-Illustrator