Downtown Highlands Live Cam

The Highlands are a mountainous region located in the western part of North Carolina. The history of this area can be traced back to the pre-Columbian era when the Cherokee Indians inhabited the land. The Highlands were known to the Cherokee as "Shaconage," which means "the land of blue smoke," referring to the mist that often hangs over the mountains.

In the early 1800s, European settlers began to move into the area, and by the mid-1800s, the town of Highlands was established as a summer resort destination for wealthy families from the lowlands. The town grew rapidly in the late 1800s, and many of the historic buildings that still stand today were constructed during this time.

During the Civil War, the Highlands were a site of conflict, as Union and Confederate forces vied for control of the region. The Battle of Whiteside Mountain, which took place in 1864, is one of the most significant battles in the area's history. Union troops were able to defeat Confederate forces and secure the area for the Union.