Tryon, North Carolina 5.13

Tryon is a town in Polk County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,646. Located in the escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the area is a center for outdoor pursuits, equestrian activity and fine arts.Tryon Peak and the Town of Tryon are named for William Tryon, Governor of North Carolina from 1765 to 1771 in recognition of his negotiation with the Cherokee for a treaty during a bloody period of conflict during the French and Indian War.HistoryCherokeeThe area now known as Tryon was originally part of the Cherokee nation of Western North Carolina. Archaeological evidence dates their occupation of the site to the end of the last Ice Age more than 11,000 years ago and semi-permanent villages appeared by 8,000 B.C. They later settled in towns with a democratic political structure, religion, domesticated crops, pottery and skilled, powerful archery. Each village had a peace chief, war chief, and priest and survived through growth of vegetables, hunting and fishing.de SotoHaving landed near present-day Panama City, Florida on May 30, 1539, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto reputedly traveled up to what is now Spartanburg, South Carolina and north to western North Carolina. Traveling on horses, de Soto and 1,000 men arrived in North Carolina mid-May, 1540. In search of gold, de Soto explored the Asheville area and met with Cherokee Indians in Xuala, the area now known as Tryon. After a day or two de Soto continued his journey with provisions provided by the Cherokee.