Beneath rapids of water lies one of North Carolina’s most distinct towns from the past. Although construction and renovation hide what was, the town still sits beneath the water.  Hiding beneath Fontana Lake, the town only peeps above water when the lake is extremely low. Here’s more on Judson, a fascinating and intriguing underwater city in North Carolina.

Judson / Ancestry
Judson was a small town tucked away in the Smokies. Around 600 or so residents called this area home. It was simple, yet enough for the people - home to an elementary school, barbershop, local stores, a sawmill, a post depot....and anything else needed to survive. Many residents enjoyed a small town, secluded lifestyle along the Tennessee River. Yet, that all changed somewhat quickly.
Flickr / Woodleywonderworks

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In the 1930s and 1940s, Swain County sold an abundant amount of private land to the national government for the creation of Fontana Lake and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It wasn't just the residents of Judson, but all who called this area home who were immediately displaced. There was a promise to complete HWY 299 that would allow residents access the few remainders of home, like family cemeteries and land. Yet, "The Road To Nowhere" was never completed and for the majority, home had vanished, was unaccessible, or submerged.
Flickr / Frank Kehren
Fontana Lake was created, taking over the area and town of Judson. Shops, houses, favorite spots and gravesites vanished. It's both terrible to be displaced but also to lose complete access and even, with time, the memory of what was once home.

Today, Fontana Dam provides a tremendous amount of necessary power but with an overlying negative stigma with an entire town lurking beneath the surface of the Reservoir. It's claimed that the entirety of Fontana Lake and surrounding area is almost its very own ghost town.
Flickr / Danny Navaro
When visiting here, some people claim a strange, eerie feeling while others opt to leave as soon as they arrive. While there's a popular belief Judson has completely vanished, you can actually view the ghost town when the lake is extremely low. With permission during drawdowns, you can access the eerie ghost town of Judson, the famous underwater city in North Carolina.

This underwater city in North Carolina is eerie yet also fascinating. Have you heard of this before or have any family from the area?

If you find yourself in the area, The Road To Nowhere is an eerily beautiful must-visit destination.

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underwater city in North Carolina

Beth C. | October 08, 2020

Does North Carolina have any ghost towns?

Judson, the famous underwater city in North Carolina, is just one of the many ghost towns you can find in the Tar Heel State. These abandoned towns have been left for ruin yet provide an important -- if not eerie -- picture of what life looked like decades ago. If you're curious to explore North Carolina's ghost towns, you might start with any of the following places: Portsmouth, Roanoke City, Buffalo city, Henry River, Mortimer, Whitney, Brunswick Town, Ruby City, Cataloochee, Proctor, Glenville, Lost Cove, or Diamond City. If you're curious to learn more, be sure to check out our road trip that will lead you to North Carolina's abandoned ghost towns.

What are the scariest places to visit in North Carolina?

North Carolina is positively brimming with haunted locations and paranormal sites. If you're someone who loves a spooky tale, you'll be impressed by North Carolina's offerings. If you're looking to experience some of the scariest places in North Carolina, we've got just the list for you. The following are considered to be some of the most haunted places in the Tar Heel State: the Omni Grove Park Inn, the Biltmore Hotel, Battleship North Carolina, the Brown Mountain Lights, the Duke Mansion, the Grand Old Lady Hotel, and the Devil's Tramping Ground outside of Sister City. For more information about these places as well as some others, check out our list of the most haunted spots in North Carolina.

What are the best lakes to visit in North Carolina?

North Carolina features breathtaking lakes just waiting to be discovered. No matter the season, you'll love spending time on or near these lovely bodies of water that seem tailor-made for recreation. Some of the best lakes to visit in North Carolina are Lake Norman, Lake James, Fontana Lake, Lake Glenville, Jordan Lake, High Rock Lake, Nantahala Lake, Falls Lake, Hyco Lake, Lake Tillery, and Randleman Lake. For more information, be sure to check out these 10 picturesque lakes in North Carolina.

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