Outdoor living in Marble
Once known for the many marble quarries in the area, Marble is a small, rural community in the Valley River region of Cherokee County, North Carolina. Today, this community of less than 500 is centered around Marble Springs Baptist Church and is surrounded by mountains and natural wildlife. “Marble is a lovely area with lots of valley land, and there are many mountain homes that have views,” says Austen Sheffield, a local real estate professional at Re/Max Mountain Properties-Randy Dockery Team. “People come here for mountain living, the outdoors and privacy.” Sitting between Andrews and Murphy, Marble is convenient to the shopping, dining and recreational destinations of its neighboring communities.
Single-family homes with mountain views
Roads in Marble wind through lush mountainous terrain. Lodged in the landscape’s green hills, houses here are usually scattered and surrounded by leafy trees. Properties were mostly built from the 1950s to the present day, featuring cabins, raised ranch-style homes and modern homes. The median home price is approximately $300,000. Smaller houses with less than 1,500 square feet often sell between $100,000 and $320,000, while larger or newer builds can reach around $700,000. Houses are often on large parcels of land, ranging from one to about five acres. Some properties have brooks or creeks running through, with stretches of forestland serving as natural dividers. Vacant lots, ranging between one and 40 acres, go from around $16,000 to over $200,000. “People think it’s perfect that houses here are far apart from each other, and they can have privacy from their neighbors,” Sheffield says. “Prices are dependent on several factors, like mountain views and usable land. If your house has more views or a flat two-acre yard, then your property is more likely to hold higher value.”
Hiking and boating in Cherokee County
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounded by conservation lands, Marble offers many outdoor activities, including off-roading, camping, hiking and fishing. “There are many access points to the hiking trails for the Nantahala and the Appalachian mountains,” Sheffield says. “And there are several local lakes in the surrounding areas for rafting and boating.” The 21-mile Chunky Gal Trail connects the Tusquitee and the Nantahala mountains. Located 10 miles southwest in Murphy, the Fires Creek Recreation Area features the 25-mile Rim Trail, several campsites and a picnic area near Leatherwood Falls. Lake Chatuge is about 20 miles south of the community, offering all sorts of activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing and fishing. In addition to several campgrounds, the 18-hole Chatuge Shores Golf Course sits on the edge of the lake and is open to the public.
Shopping and dining options in Andrews and Murphy
The community has a Dollar General, which offers basic groceries and essentials. Farmhouse Diner serves traditional American fare and has all-you-can-eat crab legs or catfish nights. “It’s got a very cool environment,” Sheffield says. “The owner turned an old country gas station into a restaurant.” Andrews, about 5 miles east, has Ingles Markets and more restaurant options. The nearest Walmart is about 10 miles southwest in Murphy.
Cherokee County Schools serves the community
Marble is served by Cherokee County Schools. Prospective primary schools include Andrews Elementary School and Peachtree Elementary School, which have a C-plus and a B-plus grade from Niche, respectively. Andrews Middle School and Murphy Middle School both get a B. Andrews High School rates a C-plus and offers internship opportunities. Murphy High has a B-minus. Tri-County Community College is less than 10 miles away in Murphy.
Highway access in Marble
The community is accessible via U.S. Route 74 and North Carolina Highway 141. McGhee Tyson Airport is about 90 miles north via U.S. Route 129, and Atlanta is about 100 miles away. Murphy Medical Center is less than 10 miles south in Murphy. Marble is very car-dependent. “When you come and live here, you’ll quickly learn that a 20- to 30-minute drive is nothing,” Sheffield says.
Air shows, seasonal festivals and community events
Andrews-Murphy Airport, about 4 miles away, holds the biannual Celebration of Flight air show, featuring a variety of aviation demonstrations and vintage aircraft displays. Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino, with games, restaurants and events, is just over 5 miles away. “There are several events that happen in nearby towns,” Sheffield says. “Murphy has a spring festival, which has lots of vendors, food trucks and a beer garden. People can enjoy a beverage and shop. Andrews has the Blue Stage, which is basically American Idol but set up in Andrews. It’s lots of fun.”
