The area is rich in Native American history . An 1805 map shows the area as the Cherokee settlement '' Toonatla '' . It was later listed on a map of the Cherokee Nation as '' Gunahita '' . By the time of the removal of the Cherokee Indians in 1838 , it was known as '' Konehetee '' , or " valley " . One of the most infamous periods in history , the removal of the Cherokee and the Trail of Tears , also impacted the valley . Fort Delaney , one of five forts in the area , was located about from the mouth of the Valley River . The road across Tatham Gap , directly north of Andrews , was built by the US Army to transport Cherokee from Fort Montgomery , which was located in what is now Robbinsville , to Fort Delaney and beyond . It is said that the first store in the valley was opened in a former home of Chief Junaluska , who was residing in Valley Town at the time of the removal
Trail of Tears
Trail of Tears
Andrews, North Carolina