Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (20) View all

Lake Logan being dredged and other work

  • wcu_canton-1895.jpg
  • Lake Logan was created in 1932 when Sunburst logging camp was no longer functioning and Champion’s need for water was growing. The West Fork of the Pigeon River was dammed, completely covering Sunburst and creating an 87-acre lake that served a dual purpose as an industrial site and as a corporate retreat with stocked streams, 35,000 acres of forest land for hunting, and an airstrip. Using lumber from cabins in surrounding counties, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Reuben B. Robertson created a unique compound which he called Sit ‘n Whittle Village. This image is one of a series of undated photographs showing dredging and other repair work.