Introduction
Noccalula Falls, a 90-foot waterfall located in Gadsden, Alabama, is a site rich in natural beauty and cultural history. Formerly known as Black Creek Falls, it was renamed in honor of a local legend involving a young Cherokee woman named Noccalula. The area has evolved over time, becoming a cherished public park that offers visitors a blend of scenic landscapes and historical attractions.
Early History
The earliest recorded ownership of the falls dates back to 1845 when Thomas McClung acquired 40 acres encompassing the waterfall, then known as Black Creek Falls. In 1870, George O. Baker expanded the property by purchasing additional surrounding land. The falls became a popular destination, with visitors enjoying the natural amphitheater behind the cascade, described in 1867 as a place where “rainbows of dazzling beauty are reflected on the vaulted ceiling.”
The Legend of Noccalula
According to local legend, Noccalula was a young Cherokee maiden renowned for her beauty and grace. Her father, a tribal chief, arranged her marriage to a wealthy chief from a neighboring tribe, offering substantial gifts in exchange. However, Noccalula’s heart belonged to a young brave from her own tribe. Distraught over the arranged marriage, she is said to have leaped to her death from the waterfall’s edge. In her memory, the waterfall was named Noccalula Falls.
Development into a Public Park
In 1909, former Gadsden mayor Reuben A. Mitchell purchased 169 acres surrounding the falls with the intention of creating a city park. Due to financial constraints during the Great Depression, the city could not acquire the property at that time. After Mitchell’s death in 1937, his daughter, Sadie Mitchell Elmore, inherited the land and sold it to the city in 1946. The city began developing the area into a public park, officially opening it on June 20, 1950. Additional land acquisitions in 1959 expanded the park to include Chalybeate Springs.
The Noccalula Statue
In the 1960s, the Woman’s Club of Gadsden initiated a project to commemorate the legend of Noccalula by commissioning a statue. Belgian-born sculptor Suzanne Silvercruys was selected for the task. She modeled the nine-foot-tall, 3,000-pound bronze statue after Kay Smith, a 15-year-old student from Glencoe High School. The statue, depicting Noccalula poised to leap, was dedicated on September 20, 1969. Notably, the attire represented in the statue reflects Plains Indian clothing rather than traditional Cherokee garments, highlighting a common misconception in Native American representation.
Modern-Day Noccalula Falls Park
Photo credits: Images courtesy of Noccalula Falls Park, https://www.noccalulafallspark.com.
Today, Noccalula Falls Park spans 250 acres and offers a variety of attractions. Visitors can explore trails that wind through Black Creek Gorge, passing by caves, an aboriginal fort, an abandoned dam, a pioneer homestead, and Civil War carvings. The park also features a petting zoo, a mini-golf course, the Gilliland-Reese Covered Bridge (built in 1899), and a replica 1863 C.P. Huntington train ride. The Noccalula Falls Botanical Gardens showcase over 25,000 azaleas, adding to the park’s natural beauty.
Cultural Significance and Interpretations
While the legend of Noccalula adds a romantic narrative to the site, it’s important to note that similar tales of Native American maidens leaping to their deaths are common across various locales in the United States. These stories often emerged in the decades following the Indian Removal, serving as romanticized associations for natural features. The name “Noccalula” likely derives from the Cherokee term “ama uqwalelvyi,” meaning “place where water thunders,” indicating that the legend may be more myth than historical fact.
Conclusion
Noccalula Falls stands as a testament to the blend of natural splendor and cultural storytelling. From its early days as Black Creek Falls to its current status as a cherished public park, it continues to captivate visitors with its beauty and the poignant legend that bears its name.
References:
- Noccalula Falls Park: Encyclopedia of Alabama
- Early history of the Noccalula Falls: Gadsden Messenger
- About: Noccalula Falls Park
- Noccalula statue: Bhamwiki
- A Little Bit Of Trivia – Princess Noccalula Statue: Noccalula Falls Park
- Noccalula: Bhamwiki
- Noccalula Falls Park: Wikipedia
Photo Credits:
- Noccalula Falls: Noccalula Falls Park
