In a survey and excavation project in the early 21st century, part of the community was found to have archeological resources that were thousands of years old, in addition to more recent historic materials related to the Cherokee people.

In 1938, the US Government and state of North Carolina negotiated with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to gain their agreement to transfer some of their land to enable construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

[3] Ravensford became the southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Oconaluftee area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The site was in Ravensford, and an environmental assessment was performed (including a document and archeological survey) to determine if the project would affect any historic resources.

It developed as one of North Carolina’s largest and most intensive archaeological projects, as a tremendous number of artifacts and resources were found.