Joe Brown Highway

The Joe Brown Highway in North Carolina follows the approximate route of the Unicoi Turnpike, winding past old Cherokee communities like Grape Creek. Near Murphy you will pass Texana, a mountain community that was founded by freed slaves in 1850. The original Unicoi Turnpike was located a few miles from Texana, but today the Joe Brown Highway runs past this historic community. Approximately 10 miles of the Joe Brown Highway (Hwy 1326) beginning at the TN/NC line at Unicoi Gap and continuing into NC, is a single-lane gravel road.Note: It is easily traveled by car but not recommended for busses. There is no cell phone signal for much of the way.