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Lake Junaluska, North Carolina

Lake Junaluska is a census-designated place (CDP) in Haywood County, North Carolina, United States, and an artificial lake in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Lake Junaluska is named after nearby Mount Junaluska (now North Eaglenest Mountain), which was named after a Cherokee leader in the early nineteenth century. As of the 2010 census, the population of the community was 2,734.

The 200 acre manmade lake of the same name is surrounded by private residences and the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. The lake is fed primarily from Richland Creek and discharges into the creek, maintaining an approximately constant lake level. Richland Creek is a tributary to the Pigeon River. Water sports at the lake include canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding and fishing, plus swimming in the lakeside swimming pool. To maintain a quiet environment, only electric trolling motors are permitted to operate on the lake. There is a 2.3 mi paved walking trail and an extended 3.8-mile walking trail around the lake. Lake Junaluska also has an 18-hole golf course, pickleball and tennis courts, and dedicated bocce ball, corn hole and shuffleboard courts. The Blue Ridge Parkway is nearby, as is Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Lake Junaluska was formerly the site of the headquarters of the World Methodist Council.

History
Before Indian Removal in 1839, all this area was part of the homelands of the Cherokee people. Today the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is based on Qualla Boundary in North Carolina, the only federally recognized tribe in the state. European Americans colonized most of the former Cherokee territories.

Methodist pastors James Atkins and George R. Stuart believed the Southeastern United States needed a place comparable to Chautauqua Lake, New York and Winona Lake, Indiana. Atkins contacted Stuart in April 1908 while attending a missionary conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee where Stuart was a pastor. The Southern Assembly, Inc. bought 1,200 acres of land.

On June 25, 1913, the Second General Missionary Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South convened in the new auditorium built here and named for Stuart. It was beside a new lake being filled after the damming of Richland Creek. As there were only 13 houses and no hotel until 1914, the 4,000 people had to stay elsewhere.

Auditorium Hotel, the first hotel, was built in 1914 across from Stuart Auditorium but burned in 1920.

The Junaluska Inn was built in 1917, but it caught fire and burned down the next year. A new hotel in 1921 was built on the same site, eventually to be named for Bishop Walter Russell Lambuth. Additions were made in 1956 and 1964.

In 1923, a classroom building called Shackford Hall was constructed at the lake's west end. Both Lambuth Inn and Shackford Hall have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1922, a large, lighted cross was erected at a spot overlooking the lake near Lambuth Inn, the oldest hotel at the lake. In 1994, a new cross was installed. The original, eventually restored, was moved to Mount Shepherd Retreat Center near Asheboro, North Carolina.

The Southeastern Jurisdiction (SEJ) of the United Methodist Church became the owner in 1948. Lake Junaluska Assembly Inc., an agency of the SEJ, has been tax-exempt since 1959. In the 1950s, the World Methodist Council, a consultative body linking almost all Methodist denominations worldwide, moved its headquarters to Lake Junaluska. In Spring 2021, the World Methodist Council sold its headquarters building, including a museum, to the assembly for $1.25 million. The World Methodist Council moved to offices in nearby Waynesville. The museum's collection moved to Southern Methodist University.

Conference and Retreat Center
Lake Junaluska Assembly Inc. received financial support from the United Methodist Church for nearly 100 years, but that support ended and the Assembly became more of a business. The Lake Junaluska Assembly Board of Directors, in addition to acting as the "de facto government", owns the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, the lake and the dam, and recreational facilities. The board voted in March 2013 to ask for Waynesville to annex the community.

The Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center hosts events for the United Methodist Church, Seventh-day Adventist Church, The Salvation Army, Church of the Brethren, and other organizations. Several musical events are hosted in Stuart Auditorium, including Folkmoot USA programs and Appalachian bluegrass concerts. The Smoky Mountain Folk Festival is held here. The facilities are intended to be used for the renewal of "body, mind and spirit".

The Terrace Hotel and the Lambuth Inn, the community's primary accommodations, were extensively renovated in 2015 and 2018. The Corneille Bryan Native Garden contains many plants once abundant in the region but now rare.

The Conference and Retreat Center is governed by an active, diverse 32-member Board of Trustees. Some 68% of the Board members are property owners in the Lake Junaluska community. The board provides strategic direction, and budget approval for the Conference and Retreat Center, the Lake Junaluska Public Works, residential fees, and utility (water and sewer) rates. The Executive Director, who has day-to-day management responsibility, reports to the board of Trustees. The board approves changes to the rules and regulations of the community.

The amenities of Lake Junaluska include lodging, meeting facilities, dining (food service), trails, gardens, meditation areas, golf, and other recreation opportunities. The maintenance of the public areas around the lake and the dam, which is inspected annually, are funded primarily through charitable giving and proceeds from lodging guests. There is periodic removal of sediment that has been carried into the lake from Richland Creek. All property within the boundaries of the Assembly, approximately 5.8 sqmi, has deed covenant restrictions that give the Board of Trustees the right to enforce regulations and the first right of refusal on all property sales.

Work began in 2022 on a $2.5 million renovation of the former World Methodist Council headquarters, which Lake Junaluska purchased for $1.25 million along with an adjacent building in 2021. The former headquarters was named the Warren Center for Mike and Anne Warren, who gave $625,000 toward the purchase and $1.1 million for the renovation. In June 2024 the first event was held in the building that will be used for weddings and community events.

Geography
The community of Lake Junaluska is located in central Haywood County just east of the artificial lake of the same name. The lake was formed by damming Richland Creek (a tributary to the Pigeon River) which flows northwest of the community. Haywood County has 18 mountain peaks over 6000 ft, more than any other county east of the Mississippi River. The closest high summits are 4228 ft High Top on Utah Mountain, 2 mi to the north; and 5071 ft North Eaglenest Mountain (formerly Mount Junaluska), 4 mi to the southwest.

The community is bordered by Waynesville, the Haywood county seat, to the south; Maggie Valley to the west, and Clyde to the east. U.S. Routes 19, 23, 74, and 276 all pass through the community. Interstate 40 passes just northeast of the community, with access from Exits 24 and 27.

Asheville, the major city in the region, is 27 mi to the east via I-40 or by Routes 19, 23, and 74. Route 19 leads west 25 mi to Cherokee, base on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and near the south entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Routes 23 and 74, the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway, leads southwest 22 mi to Sylva, and US 276 leads southeast through Waynesville and 41 mi to Brevard.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Lake Junaluska CDP has a total area of 14.6 sqkm, of which 13.8 sqkm are land and 0.8 sqkm, or 5.53%, are water.

Climate
Lake Junaluska has an oceanic climate under the Köppen climate classification (Köppen Cfb). Monthly temperature averages range from 37.2 F in January to 70.9 F in July. Precipitation averages 46.1 in annually, and snowfall averages 13.8 in.

Today
The Lake Junaluska Public Works office manages the roads and utilities. Water for the community is purchased from the town of Waynesville, and sewage treatment is provided by Waynesville through a purchase agreement. Water and sewer fees and annual service fees provide funds for maintenance and improvements to the infrastructure. The community has engaged in a program to renew roads and systematically replace water and sewer lines without incurring debt. A prioritized list of improvements was initially developed, and replacement of the oldest underground water lines has saved money by reducing water loss due to leakage. A Community Council of elected representatives provides guidance to the public works office and Conference and Retreat Center leadership on issues that impact the community, such as utility rates, annual service charges, residential rules, and regulations. Open monthly meetings also provide a means for the property owners to learn about new developments in the community and provide input to the council and the conference and retreat center leadership. The community of residents, year-round and seasonal alike, are a very diverse active group that enjoy many opportunities for involvement in recreation and fellowship. Community organizations include the Lake Junaluska Assembly Property Owners organization (LJAPOO), which addresses issues associated with the ownership, and the Junaluskans, which is a service group that meets twice monthly and supports many activities. The campus is also the home to the Foundation for Evangelism, a non-profit organization serving ministries of the United Methodist Church by promoting the growth of new generations of clergy and laity that have a passion for evangelism.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,219 people, 1,477 households, and 841 families residing in the CDP.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,675 people, 1,262 households, and 861 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 483.6 PD/sqmi. There were 1,848 housing units at an average density of 334.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.65% White, 0.37% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.35% of the population.

There were 1,262 households, out of which 18.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.57.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 16.2% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 20.6% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 28.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $46,932, and the median income for a family was $54,444. Males had a median income of $38,224 versus $29,219 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $23,031. About 4.2% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.9% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.

title: Lake Junaluska, North Carolina


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Maggie Valley, North Carolina

Maggie Valley is a town in Haywood County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,687 at the 2020 census. A popular tourist destination, it is home to Cataloochee Ski Area and the former Ghost Town in the Sky amusement park. Maggie Valley is part of the Asheville metropolitan area.

The community gets its name from Maggie Mae Setzer; her father John "Jack" Sidney Setzer founded the area's first post office and named it after one of his daughters.

History
Before European colonization, what is now Maggie Valley was inhabited by the Cherokee people and other indigenous peoples for thousands of years. The Cherokee in western North Carolina are known as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, a federally recognized tribe.

Maggie Valley was officially incorporated as a town on May 10, 1904.

Geography
Maggie Valley is in west-central Haywood County. U.S. Route 19 is the main road through the town, leading east 35 mi to Asheville and west over Soco Gap 16 mi to Cherokee.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has an area of 8.2 km2, all land.

Wildlife
Elk were copious throughout the United States, but numbers decreased in the mid-19th century because of overhunting and habitat loss. In 2001, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the National Park Service and other partners joined to restore wild elk to the Great Smoky Mountains in the Cataloochee Valley near Maggie Valley. Most elk are found in Cataloochee Valley, which is a perfect viewing area in the southeastern section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But the elk have been known to wander out of the park and walk toward Maggie Valley. There are an estimated 200 elk in the Maggie Valley area currently.

Black bears are occasionally seen in and around Maggie Valley. During winter, the black bears are inactive for a short amount of time and exhibit some physiological responses to low food storage and temperatures. But a result of their brief hibernation is that there are more bear sightings. This is risky because they can be looking for food in neighborhoods or killed on roads. Locals strongly suggest never approaching a bear to photograph it, or leaving food or garbage out, and taking in any bird feeders that are not monitored (especially at night).

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,687 people, 833 households, and 562 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 607 people, 297 households, and 179 families residing in the town. The population density was 372.8 /mi2. There were 565 housing units at an average density of 347.0 /mi2. The racial makeup of the town was 96.38% White, 1.32% African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.16% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.16% of the population.

There were 297 households, of which 16.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.7% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.56.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 14.0% under age 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 33.8% from 45 to 64, and 23.9% who were 65 or older. The median age was 49. For every 100 females, there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $29,808, and the median income for a family was $40,417. Males had a median income of $27,813 versus $20,865 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,211. About 9.8% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.2% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people and events

 * Raymond Fairchild, Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America “Hall of Greats" member.
 * Moonshiner Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton.
 * Wheels Through Time motorcycle museum.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Maggie Valley, North Carolina


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Waynesville, North Carolina

Waynesville is the county seat of Haywood County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest town in North Carolina west of Asheville. Waynesville is located about 30 mi southwest of Asheville between the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains.

As of the 2010 census, Waynesville had a population of 9,869. The town is located just outside the Pisgah National Forest and is close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Waynesville and Haywood County are part of the four-county Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area, currently the fifth largest metropolitan area in North Carolina. It is the third largest town in the MSA behind the cities of Asheville and Hendersonville.

History
The town of Waynesville was founded in 1810 by Colonel Robert Love, a Revolutionary War soldier. He donated land for the courthouse, jail, and public square, and named the town after his former commander in the war, General "Mad" Anthony Wayne.

The Boone-Withers House, Citizens Bank and Trust Company Building, Former, Francis Grist Mill, Frog Level Historic District, Haywood County Courthouse, Alden and Thomasene Howell House, Masonic Hall, Charles and Annie Quinlan House, Clyde H. Ray Sr. House, Frank Smathers House, Spread Out Historic District, Waynesville Municipal Building, Dr. J. Howell Way House, and Waynesville Main Street Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Waynesville was incorporated as a town in 1871. In July 1995, the towns of Hazelwood and Waynesville merged into one community and continued to grow with a population today of over 10,000.

The "Battle" of Waynesville
Waynesville was the scene of the last and perhaps most unusual skirmish in the eastern theater of the American Civil War. On May 6, 1865, Union Colonel William C. Bartlett's 2nd North Carolina (Federal) Mounted Infantry were attacked at White Sulphur Springs (east of Waynesville) by a detachment of rebels from Thomas' Legion of Highlanders, who had been summoned by locals.

East of the Mississippi, Thomas' Legion fired "The Last Shot" of the Civil War in White Sulphur Springs, North Carolina. The Legion consisted of Cherokee and White soldiers. Some of these soldiers had served under Jubal A. Early during the Shenandoah Valley Campaigns of 1864, but had been sent back to their native North Carolina mountains to engage in guerrilla warfare against the remaining Union forces.

The disoriented Union soldiers retreated into Waynesville, and on the evening of May 6 remaining elements of Thomas' Legion surrounded the town. The soldiers lit numerous bonfires on the ridges above the town and engaged in war chants in an effort to intimidate the Federals. The following day the Confederate commanders Gen. James Green Martin and Col. William Holland Thomas (for whom the Legion was named) negotiated a surrender. These commanders had been made aware that Generals Robert E. Lee and Joseph E. Johnston had already surrendered and that continued hostilities would prove pointless.

Frog Level

Waynesville began to see development after arrival of the railroad in 1884. The agricultural, lumber and tourism industries in Waynesville and Haywood County began to thrive as access to the west was opened up.

The area of Waynesville located along Richland Creek, northwest and downhill from Main Street, was where the railroad tracks were laid. Until this time the area had been essentially a swampland, with a few scattered buildings but no major development. Once the depot was built and the train arrived this section was developed. It was given the name of "Frog Level" by the local community because of its low-lying location along Richland Creek, the "frog level" when the area flooded.

Downtown and the nearby Frog Level commercial centers of Waynesville continued to be the central focus for social life, transportation, and wholesale and retail businesses through the 1940s. Businesses in the Frog Level area in the 1930s and 1940s included hardware stores, farm supplies, coal sales, auto dealers and garages, furniture stores, wholesale groceries, and warehouses and lumber companies, all of which were businesses dependent on the railroad.

As the automobile became the primary mode of transportation for most residents, the railroad declined in importance. This in turn led to a shift of business away from Frog Level. The last passenger train arrived in Waynesville in 1949, and freight trains pass through Frog Level twice daily, with most trains continuing on to Sylva.

By the 1980s, the railroad in Waynesville had been integrated into the Southern Railway Company system. The first depot burned in 1900, but it was soon replaced with another depot that remained standing until 1987.

Geography
Waynesville is located southwest of the center of Haywood County in the valley of Richland Creek, a tributary of the Pigeon River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 23.1 km2, all land.

Climate
Waynesville has an oceanic climate under the Köppen climate classification (Köppen Cfb).

Waynesville watershed
Waynesville's water supply is located south of the town, with a watershed that covers an area of 8400 acre of town-owned land on the headwaters of Allens Creek. Tributary streams within the watershed flow into the Waynesville Reservoir, a 50 acre lake created by a dam on Allens Creek. The reservoir and surrounding watershed are classified by the state of North Carolina as WS-1. This classification is the state's most stringent and forbids development within the watershed boundary.

Neighborhoods

 * Downtown - Once the primary retail business center of the town, downtown Waynesville is now home to art galleries, cafes, restaurants, shops, banks, doctors offices, and town and county government administration buildings.
 * Frog Level - The historic district whose name came about because of frequent flooding of Richland Creek. As transportation shifted from railway to cars in the 1940s, business shifted up the hill to higher ground. By the '70s and '80s, Frog Level became known as a seedy part of downtown, mainly due to a now-closed bar called The Tap Room. In recent years, the revitalization of Main Street has spread down into this area. In 2003, the Frog Level Historic District was placed in the National Register of Historic Places. The local merchants association presents The Whole Bloomin' Thing Spring Festival every year just before the last frost date, marking the start of planting season for the locals. The festival draws approximately 8,000 attendees to the area and features nature-related themes. The historic Murphy Branch of the old Western North Carolina Railroad runs through Frog Level and still carries freight rail traffic twice daily from the Blue Ridge Southern Railway, which now owns the line.
 * Hazelwood - Due to financial troubles, this once independent town ceased to exist and was annexed by Waynesville in 1995. Its ZIP code is 28738.
 * Laurel Ridge - The Laurel Ridge neighborhood is connected to a country club of the same name and features a golf course, pool, tennis courts, and upscale mountain homes.
 * West Waynesville - Once the industrial part of town, West Waynesville is now home to Waynesville Commons, a large retail shopping center which sits on the site of an old Dayco rubber hose factory.
 * Russ Avenue - A newer business district featuring restaurants, retail stores, auto dealerships, banks, and grocery stores. Russ Avenue is the most traveled surface street in Haywood County and is slated for a major makeover by the NCDOT in the 2020s.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,140 people, 4,680 households, and 2,724 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,232 people, 4,106 households, and 2,545 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,191.8 PD/sqmi. There were 4,761 housing units at an average density of 614.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 94.42% White, 3.31% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.76% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.01% of the population.

There were 4,106 households, out of which 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 19.9% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,296, and the median income for a family was $36,404. Males had a median income of $26,374 versus $21,159 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,821. 15.5% of the population and 12.6% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 24.3% of those under the age of 18 and 10.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Government
The Town of Waynesville Mayor and the Town Council are elected to serve four year concurrent terms. The board determines policy and budget direction, and the town manager, appointed by the board, oversees and directs the day-to-day operations of the Town and all of its departments.

Education

 * Tuscola High School
 * Waynesville Middle School
 * Central Elementary School (formerly)
 * Junaluska Elementary
 * Hazelwood Elementary
 * Jonathan Valley Elementary
 * Shining Rock Classical Academy

Public safety
The Waynesville Police Department has three divisions: Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Special Operations.

Waynesville Fire Department is combination department and has both career and volunteer members.

Transportation
The Great Smoky Mountains Expressway passes through Waynesville.

U.S. Routes 23 and 74 (the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway) form a bypass along the northwestern side of the town. U.S. Route 276 passes through the center of Waynesville. US-276 leads north 5 mi to Dellwood.

In 2014, Watco purchased all of the railroad track running through Waynesville from Norfolk Southern for its Blue Ridge Southern Railroad short line. The line connects Waynesville by railroad to Sylva to the west, as well as to the interchange with Norfolk Southern at Asheville to the east.

title: Waynesville, North Carolina


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West Canton, North Carolina

West Canton is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Haywood County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,247 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
West Canton is located in east-central Haywood County. It is bordered to the east by the town of Canton.

U.S. Routes 19 and 23 form the southern boundary of the CDP. The combined highway leads west 5 mi to Lake Junaluska and east through Canton 20 mi to Asheville. Waynesville, the Haywood county seat, is 10 mi to the southwest via US-23.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the West Canton CDP has a total area of 1.4 sqmi, all land. The Pigeon River, a west-flowing stream that is part of the Tennessee River basin, forms the northern edge of the CDP.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,156 people, 488 households, and 339 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 840.7 PD/sqmi. There were 525 housing units at an average density of 381.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.84% White, 0.69% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.09% Pacific Islander, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.30% of the population.

There were 488 households, out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 21.1% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $30,694, and the median income for a family was $34,922. Males had a median income of $40,347 versus $22,056 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $15,587. About 8.1% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.2% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.

History
Prior to European colonization, the area that is now West Canton was inhabited by the Cherokee people and other Indigenous peoples for thousands of years. The Cherokee in Western North Carolina are known as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, a federally recognized tribe.

title: West Canton, North Carolina


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Balfour, North Carolina

Balfour is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Henderson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,187 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
A post office called Balfour has been in operation since 1893. The community derives its name from Captain William Balfour Troy, the original owner of the town site.

Geography
Balfour is bordered to the south by Hendersonville, the county seat, and to the north by Mountain Home. U.S. Route 25 Business (Asheville Highway) is the main road through the community, leading south into Hendersonville and north 4 mi to Interstate 26 and US 25. Downtown Asheville is 21 mi north of Balfour.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.7 km2, of which 0.03 sqkm, or 0.59%, are water. Mud Creek, a north-flowing tributary of the French Broad River, forms the eastern edge of the CDP.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,200 people, 481 households, and 320 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 652.3 PD/sqmi. There were 527 housing units at an average density of 286.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 90.25% White, 4.75% African American, 0.50% Native American, 1.58% Asian, 2.17% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.92% of the population.

There were 481 households, out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.75.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 17.8% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $28,889, and the median income for a family was $40,721. Males had a median income of $28,611 versus $20,139 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,010. About 3.0% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 2.0% of those age 65 or over.

title: Balfour, North Carolina


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Barker Heights, North Carolina

Barker Heights is an unincorporated area and census-designated place (CDP) in Henderson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,254 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Barker Heights is located in central Henderson County. It is bordered to the north, west, and south by Hendersonville, the county seat, and to the southeast by East Flat Rock. Hendersonville Airport is in the eastern part of the CDP.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.6 km2, of which 3474 sqm, or 0.13%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,237 people, 482 households, and 348 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,176.8 PD/sqmi. There were 533 housing units at an average density of 507.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 77.12% White, 4.85% African American, 0.97% Native American, 1.46% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 13.10% from other races, and 2.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.34% of the population.

There were 482 households, out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 27.9% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $26,726, and the median income for a family was $32,143. Males had a median income of $26,573 versus $20,288 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $13,307. About 11.4% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.2% of those under age 18 and 19.7% of those age 65 or over.

title: Barker Heights, North Carolina


text:
East Flat Rock, North Carolina

East Flat Rock is an unincorporated area and census-designated place (CDP) in Henderson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,995 at the 2010 census, up from 4,151 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
East Flat Rock was an incorporated town from 1926 to 1948, after towns the charter was repealed by local government and later by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1949.

Geography
East Flat Rock is located in southeastern Henderson County and is bordered to the west by the village of Flat Rock and to the northwest by unincorporated Barker Heights.

U.S. Route 176 (Spartanburg Highway) is the main road through East Flat Rock, leading northwest 3 mi to Hendersonville, the county seat, and southeast 6 mi to Saluda. Interstate 26 runs along the eastern edge of the community, with access from Exit 53 (Upward Road). I-26 leads north 27 mi to Asheville and southeast 42 mi to Spartanburg, South Carolina.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the East Flat Rock CDP has a total area of 11.1 km2, of which 0.03 sqkm, or 0.27%, are water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,757 people, 2,057 households, and 1,322 families residing in the CDP.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,151 people, 1,647 households, and 1,133 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,279.1 PD/sqmi. There were 1,823 housing units at an average density of 561.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 85.69% White, 3.08% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 8.79% from other races, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.96% of the population.

There were 1,647 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $29,315, and the median income for a family was $31,286. Males had a median income of $22,500 versus $19,907 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $13,723. About 14.0% of families and 20.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.6% of those under age 18 and 15.4% of those age 65 or over.

title: East Flat Rock, North Carolina


text:
Etowah, North Carolina

Etowah is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Henderson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 6,944 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Bryn Avon was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

Geography
Etowah is located in western Henderson County in the valley of the French Broad River. It is bordered to the north by the town of Mills River, to the northeast by unincorporated Horse Shoe, and to the west by Transylvania County.

U.S. Route 64 passes through Etowah, leading east 8 mi to Hendersonville and southwest 11 mi to Brevard.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Etowah CDP has a total area of 46.0 km2, of which 45.4 km2 are land and 0.5 sqkm, or 1.20%, are water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,642 people, 3,411 households, and 2,408 families residing in the CDP.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,766 people, 1,280 households, and 938 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 603.6 PD/sqmi. There were 1,365 housing units at an average density of 297.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.78% White, 1.70% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.87% of the population.

There were 1,280 households, out of which 18.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.7% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.53.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 15.8% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 29.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $38,438, and the median income for a family was $45,041. Males had a median income of $30,525 versus $22,212 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $20,849. About 2.3% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: Etowah, North Carolina


text:
Flat Rock, Henderson County, North Carolina

Flat Rock is a village in Henderson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,114 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Charles Baring and Susan Heyward Baring built Mountain Lodge in 1827 as the community became known as the "Little Charleston of the Mountains" due to an influx of wealthy summer residents from the South Carolina Low Country. Historic Flat Rock Inc. bought the abandoned house and sold it in 2014 to Julien Smythe, a descendant of an owner of Connemara who along with wife Lori renovated the house.

A post office called Flat Rock has been in operation since 1829. The village was named for granite rock formations which dotted the landscape.

Historic Flat Rock Inc. began in 1968 after the loss of Ravenswood and began buying historic properties.

A number of buildings in the village are included in the Flat Rock Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Also on the Register are Brookland and Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site.

Geography
Flat Rock is located in south-central Henderson County. It is bordered to the north by Hendersonville, the county seat, and to the east by unincorporated East Flat Rock. North Carolina Highway 225 (Greenville Highway) is the main road through the village, leading north 4 mi to the center of Hendersonville and south 3 mi to Zirconia. Asheville is 25 mi to the north, and the South Carolina border is 8 mi to the south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 21.3 km2, of which 21.0 km2 are land and 0.3 km2, or 1.56%, are water. The town is drained by King Creek and Meminger Creek, tributaries of the French Broad River and part of the Tennessee River watershed.

Government
The village of Flat Rock is governed under a mayor/council form of government. The Mayor and City Council members are elected to staggered four-year terms. Currently the mayor of Flat Rock is Nick Weedman who was elected unopposed on November 5, 2019. There are also 5 city council members.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,486 people, 1,590 households, and 1,071 families residing in the village.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,565 people, 1,169 households, and 937 families residing in the village. The population density was 327.1 PD/sqmi. There were 1,459 housing units at an average density of 186.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.83% White, 0.47% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.04% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.17% of the population.

There were 1,169 households, out of which 15.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.5% were married couples living together, 1.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.8% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.46.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 13.6% under the age of 18, 2.3% from 18 to 24, 13.4% from 25 to 44, 34.9% from 45 to 64, and 35.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $67,813, and the median income for a family was $81,811. Males had a median income of $55,263 versus $34,375 for females. The per capita income for the village was $42,222. About 0.3% of families and 1.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 2.5% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture
Flat Rock is home to the Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of North Carolina. The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church retreat Bonclarken is located in Flat Rock. It also is home to the main campus of Blue Ridge Community College.

The Historic Flat Rock Cultural Center and Museum opened in the former post office June 3, 2017.

Notable people

 * Mitchell Campbell King (1815–1901), 19th-century planter and physician.
 * Christopher Memminger, the first Secretary of the Treasury for the Confederacy, had his summer home here, which he called "Rock Hill," later called "Connemara". He is interred in Flat Rock.
 * Carl Sandburg lived in the village from 1945 until his death in 1967. His home, once owned by Memminger, is part of the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site and a major tourist attraction in the village.
 * Buffalo Bob Smith (1917–1998), TV host of long-running children's program "Howdy Doody," retired to the Kenmure section of Flat Rock, yet sometimes used a Hendersonville address.
 * George A. Trenholm, a summer resident, was the second Secretary of the Treasury for the Confederacy, from July 18, 1864, to April 27, 1865.


text:
Fletcher, North Carolina

Fletcher is a town in Henderson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 7,187 at the 2010 census, and was estimated to be 8,333 in 2018.

Fletcher is adjacent to Asheville Regional Airport, which serves western North Carolina. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Fletcher was first settled in 1795 when Samuel Murray decided to move his family to the mountains of western North Carolina. His family made the difficult journey from South Carolina up the old Howard Gap Road which, in areas, was little more than an old Indian trail. Samuel decided he wanted to live just east of the location where Howard Gap Road ended which is very close to where Fletcher Community Park is located today. Murray began buying property in what was then the Limestone District of Buncombe County. Eventually he purchased more than 10,000 acres bounded roughly by Cane Creek to the south, the French Broad River to the west, Long Shoals Road to the north and Hooper’s Creek and Burney Mountain to the East. In 1827, Samuel’s son opened the first post office in the Limestone District and the area became known as Murrayville. The Town was used by Stateville, North Carolina to access the Asheville Metropolitan Area and is still being used to give Statesville access to the Asheville Metropolitan Area.

Murrayville became a strategic location because it was one of the main way-stations on the Buncombe Turnpike which was built in the early 1800s. This road quickly became the main passageway for families, farmers, and traders traveling from South Carolina up into Asheville and points north. In 1837, Murrayville was renamed Shufordsville after the newly appointed Postmaster Jacob Rhyne Shuford. Shortly thereafter in 1838, the state of North Carolina formed the last hundred of its counties and Shufordsville was no longer part of Buncombe County but rather part of the newly created Henderson County. Shufordsville continued to slowly grow and changed its name one last time when the town’s namesake, Dr. George Fletcher, became the local postmaster in 1886.

The Meadows and Rugby Grange are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
Fletcher is located on the northern edge of Henderson County. It is bordered to the north by the city of Asheville in Buncombe County. It is bordered to the west by the town of Mills River and to the east by unincorporated Hoopers Creek, both in Henderson County.

Interstate 26 passes through the western side of Fletcher, with access from Exits 40 and 44. U.S. Route 25 (Hendersonville Road) passes through the center of Fletcher, leading north 12 mi to the center of Asheville and south 9 mi to Hendersonville.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Fletcher has a total area of 16.8 km2, of which 16.6 sqkm are land and 0.2 sqkm, or 1.18%, are water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,987 people, 3,468 households, and 2,127 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,185 people, 1,744 households, and 1,248 families residing in the town. The population density was 791.1 PD/sqmi. There were 1,816 housing units at an average density of 343.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 93.60% White, 3.30% African American, 0.12% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.50% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.55% of the population.

There were 1,744 households, out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 35.8% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $45,426, and the median income for a family was $51,688. Males had a median income of $35,976 versus $26,176 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,607. About 4.6% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.

Politics
The town of Fletcher was incorporated in 1989. The first elected mayor of Fletcher was Robert (Bob) G. Parrish, Sr. (D), who died in his third term in office, July 2000. The current mayor of Fletcher is Preston Blakely who was elected November 2021. The town's motto is "Pride in our past, and faith in our future".

title: Fletcher, North Carolina


text:
Hendersonville, North Carolina

Hendersonville is a city in and the county seat of Henderson County, North Carolina, United States, located 22 mi south of Asheville. Like the county, the city is named for 19th-century North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Leonard Henderson.

The population was 13,137 at the 2010 census and was estimated in 2019 to be 14,157.

Introduction
Prior to the Treaty of Hopewell, the land that now is occupied by Hendersonville was settled by Cherokee tribes. Following this treaty, white settlers entered the region, eventually taking the land of what is now Henderson County in full from the original inhabitants. Poor trade links still restricted economic and demographic growth in the region, until the development of the Buncombe Turnpike, completed in 1827. Wealthy low-country planters started to migrate to the area, building summer homes and bringing lots of money with them. In response to this population growth, Henderson County was split off from Buncombe County and founded in 1838.

Judge Mitchell King owned 1000 acre, of which he donated 50 acres for the establishment of the town of Hendersonville. He used some of the enslaved African Americans he owned as workers to lay out its 100 ft Main Street.

Formed in 1838 and chartered in 1847 as the county seat of Henderson County, Hendersonville is traditionally known as "The City of Four Seasons". The town has a well-preserved Main Street and adjoining downtown areas with many restaurants, antique shops and boutiques in buildings that housed key local businesses until the mid-1980s. At that point some businesses moved to suburban or highway locations, or were put out of business by big box competition. The town's architecture reflects the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Much downtown revitalization has occurred since the early 1990s.

Larger stores have been developed almost entirely along the commercial strips extending outward from the downtown along U.S. Highway 64 east and U.S. Highways 176 and 25. There are historic neighborhoods outside the Main Street corridor, including the 5th Avenue neighborhood on the city's west side and the Druid Hills neighborhood north of downtown. Depressed areas are found along the city's east side, but redevelopment efforts are underway in the historic commercial district along 7th Avenue East.

The architectural focus of the downtown area is the historic Henderson County Courthouse, completed in 1905 and completely renovated in 2008. The newly restored City Hall (erected 1924) and the modern Henderson County Courthouse (1995) are also located downtown.

The largest street festival of the Hendersonville calendar is the annual North Carolina Apple Festival, culminating in the Apple Parade that regularly draws up to 50,000 spectators. Main Street is home to other festivals and special activities throughout the year.

High schools in the city and surrounding area include Hendersonville High School, West Henderson High School, North Henderson High School, and East Henderson High School.

Geography
Hendersonville is located at the center of Henderson County, in the southern mountains of western North Carolina near the Eastern Escarpment.

Interstate 26 runs through the eastern side of the city, with access from Exit 49. U.S. Routes 25 and 74 run concurrently with I-26. The freeway leads north 22 mi to Asheville and southeast 46 mi to Spartanburg, South Carolina. Interstate 26 also provides direct access to the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL),which features scheduled passenger airline service operated by several major air carriers. U.S. Route 25 Business passes through the center of Hendersonville on King Street northbound and Church Street southbound. U.S. Route 64 (6th Avenue) also passes through the center of Hendersonville, leading northeast 14 mi to Bat Cave and west 20 mi to Brevard. U.S. Route 176 (Spartanburg Highway) leads southeast 10 mi to Saluda.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Hendersonville has a total area of 18.0 km2, of which 0.07 sqkm, or 0.40%, is water. Mud Creek, a north-flowing tributary of the French Broad River and part of the Tennessee River watershed, is the watercourse through the city, passing east of downtown.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 15,137 people, 7,274 households, and 3,339 families residing in the city. The median age was 52.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,137 people across 5,920 households in the city. The population density was 2,189.5 PD/sqmi. There were 5,181 housing units at an average density of 870.0 /sqmi. The racial composition of the city was 81.44% White, 12.54% Black or African American, 9.09% Hispanic or Latino American, 0.73% Asian American, 0.28% Native American, 0.01% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, 3.48% some other race, and 1.52% two or more races.

In 1900, 1,967 persons lived in Hendersonville; in 1910, 2818; and in 1940, 5381 people lived here. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 13,137.

There were 4,579 households, out of which 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.6% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.2% were non-families. 40.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.9% under the age of 18, 17.5% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,357, and the median income for a family was $39,111. Males had a median income of $30,458 versus $22,770 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,926. About 13.3% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.5% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.

Museums and historical sites
The Mineral and Lapidary Museum of Henderson County, located at 400 North Main Street in downtown Hendersonville, has giant geodes, a Tyrannosaurus skull, minerals, and dinosaur eggs on display. The same building is home to the Henderson County Genealogical and Historical Society. Entry to both parts of the ornate building is free.

Down the road at 318 North Main Street is Hands On!, a children's museum of "educational exhibits that stimulate the imagination and motivate learning in a fun, safe, 'hands-on' environment." Admission is $8 per child or adult.

The Henderson County Heritage Museum, in the 1905 county courthouse at One Historic Courthouse Square, features a gallery of regional Carolina history. It sits in the heart of the Main Street Historic District. Admission is free.

To the east of Main Street is the 1902-16 Hendersonville Rail Road Station, at 7th Avenue and Maple Street in the Seventh Avenue Depot District. The Southern Railway opened the line in 1879. Passenger rail service on the line ended in 1968.

To the west of Main Street along U.S. Route 64 is Oakdale Cemetery. It includes the Italian marble angel statue that served as the inspiration for Thomas Wolfe's first novel, Look Homeward, Angel (1929).

North of Main Street is the Historic Johnson Farm at 3346 Haywood Road. The 1878 tobacco farm served as a summer retreat for tourists as early as the 1920s. Admission is free, while guided tours are $2 and $3.

The Western North Carolina Air Museum, featuring airplanes of a bygone era, is near the small Hendersonville Airport at the corner of Gilbert Street and Brooklyn Avenue between Hendersonville and East Flat Rock. Admission is free.

5 mi west of downtown Hendersonville in the town of Laurel Park is Jump Off Rock atop Jump Off Mountain. This overlook provides a panorama of the Pisgah and Blue Ridge mountains. Laurel Park town park; free admission during daylight hours.

For additional sites, see the National Register of Historic Places listings in Henderson County, North Carolina. In addition to the Henderson County Courthouse, Historic Johnson Farm, Main Street Historic District, Oakdale Cemetery, and Seventh Avenue Depot District, the Aloah Hotel, The Cedars, Chewning House, Clarke-Hobbs-Davidson House, Cold Spring Park Historic District, Mary Mills Coxe House, Druid Hills Historic District, Grey Hosiery Mill, Hyman Heights-Mount Royal Historic District, Kanuga Lake Historic District, King-Waldrop House, Lenox Park Historic District, Reese House, Clough H. Rice House, Smith-Williams-Durham Boarding House, Erle Stillwell House, Erle Stillwell House II, The Waverly, and West Side Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Hendersonville Little Theatre was established in 1966. It moved from its original location to a unique red barn on State Street. After many successful years at that site, in 2012 it moved to an old stone church at 220 S. Washington Street downtown.

Companies
Clothing retailer Bon Worth was founded in Hendersonville in 1976. Sierra Nevada opened a brewery here in 2014. Blue Star Camps has operated in this city since 1951.

Healthcare
Hospitals in Hendersonville include AdventHealth Hendersonville and UNC Health Pardee.

Media
The metro area has several TV broadcasting stations that serve the Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville Designated Market Area (DMA) as defined by Nielsen Media Research.

The station nearest to Hendersonville is the Asheville-based WLOS (ABC), television channel 13. Other major TV broadcasters include WYFF, WSPA, WHNS, and WUNF. WMYI 102.5, is the only radio station that broadcasts in Hendersonville. Additionally, most Asheville and some Greenville/Spartanburg stations come in with a local sound quality.

Hendersonville's only daily newspaper is the Times-News. The Hendersonville Lightning, founded in April 2012 by Bill Moss, is a weekly newspaper.

Notable people

 * Madison Cawthorn (born 1995) – one-term Congressman for North Carolina's 11th congressional district
 * Shirley Danz (1926–2018) – All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
 * Jennifer Pharr Davis (born 1983) – long-distance hiker and conservationist
 * Martin Gardner (1914–2010) – mathematics and science writer
 * Sam Gash (born 1969) – professional football player and cousin of Thane Gash
 * Thane Gash (born 1965) – professional football player
 * Tiger Greene (born 1962) – professional football player
 * Ash Gutierrez (born 2005) – musical artist
 * William Dathan Holbert – serial killer
 * Jim Lampley (born 1949) – sportscaster, news anchor, producer, restaurant owner
 * Doug Llewelyn (born 1938) – original host of The People's Court
 * Mickey Marvin (1955–2017) – professional football player
 * Kelly McGillis (born 1957) – actress, Top Gun, Witness
 * The McGuire Twins (Billy Leon McCrary, 1946–1979; Benny Loyd McCrary, 1946–2001) – "world's heaviest twins," born in Hendersonville
 * Robert Morgan (born 1944) – poet, essayist, author
 * Steve Penn (born 1968) – handball player who represented Team USA at the 1996 Summer Olympics
 * Tommy Refenes (born 1981) – indie games designer, known for Super Meat Boy and other Flash-style games
 * Christoph Sanders (born 1988) – actor, the lead ("Kyle Anderson") in ABC's and then Fox Television's Last Man Standing from 2011 to 2021; worked at nearby Flat Rock Playhouse and studied at Blue Ridge Community College, both in Henderson County, N.C.
 * Charles Stanley (1932-2023) – pastor at Fruitland Baptist Church in Hendersonville from 1957-59; later became pastor of First Baptist Church of Atlanta and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention

Sister cities
Hendersonville has two sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International:
 * Almuñécar, Granada, Spain
 * 🇮🇹 Verbania, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Italy

title: Hendersonville, North Carolina


text:
Laurel Park, North Carolina

Laurel Park is a town in Henderson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,250 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The town of Laurel Park was settled on what had been Cherokee land in the late 1800s. Summer cottages and camps were construction in the areas surrounding Echo Mountain. By 1903, a rail line had been built up Fifth Avenue in Hendersonville to bring day-trippers and summer visitors to Rainbow Lake to enjoy swimming, boating, dancing, camping, and gambling at the Laurel Park Casino. Visitors to the casino included famous boxer Jack Dempsey. Later, another rail line and a canal connected Rainbow Lake with Laurel Lake (Rhododendron Lake), and a counter-balanced railway took sightseers from Crystal Spring (near Rainbow Lake) to an observation tower for views of downtown Hendersonville and near and distant mountains. In 1925, the town was formally incorporated. That same year, Commodore J. Perry Stolz, builder of the popular and expensive Miami Fleetwood Hotel in Florida, arrived in Hendersonville with plans to repeat his success at the top of Jump Off Mountain near Jump-Off Rock. This 15-story hotel, also to be called the Fleetwood, would have a brick exterior trimmed with marble, all the modern conveniences, and a radio station at the top. A new concrete road (named Laurel Park Highway) was built up the mountain to the hotel site; this was used for transporting construction materials. Less than a year later, financial problems led to a halt in construction. Despite numerous attempts to complete the hotel, the 13th floor was the last floor completed, and the hotel was razed in 1939 by a salvage company.

After the stock market crash, the town slowly transitioned from a summer recreational resort to a more residential community.

The Singletary-Reese-Robinson House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

Government
The town of Laurel Park is organized under the Council-Manager form of government, consisting of a mayor elected to a four-year term, as well as four commissioners elected to staggered four-year terms. The Mayor is J. Carey O’Cain, first elected in 2011 after serving on the city commission.

In recent years, the town has been one of the areas of Henderson County trending the most to the Democratic Party. In 2016, the town gave 50% of its votes to Donald Trump, while in the 2020 Presidential Election it gave 55% of its votes to Joe Biden, a swing of 15%, one of the largest swings to the Democrats in Henderson County.

Geography
Laurel Park is located in central Henderson County on the eastern slopes of Jump off Mountain. It is bordered to the east by the city of Hendersonville, the county seat. To the south is the unincorporated community of Valley Hill, and to the west is the community of Horse Shoe.

U.S. Route 64 passes through the northern part of the town, in the valley of Shaw Creek. Route 64 leads east into Hendersonville and west 7 mi to Etowah.

The town government maintains three parks: Jump Off Rock Park, Rhododendron Lake Nature Park, and Little Laurel Green Park. Additionally, several hiking trails run around the town.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 7.3 km2, of which 0.06 km2, or 0.78%, are water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,250 people, 1,153 households, and 768 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,835 people, 930 households, and 606 families residing in the town. The population density was 683.8 PD/sqmi. There were 1,115 housing units at an average density of 415.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.47% White, 0.49% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.05% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.54% of the population.

There were 930 households, out of which 13.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.2% were married couples living together, 4.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.97 and the average family size was 2.42.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 12.7% under the age of 18, 2.6% from 18 to 24, 16.5% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 40.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 59 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $52,813, and the median income for a family was $59,118. Males had a median income of $49,853 versus $29,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $35,749. About 2.2% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.

title: Laurel Park, North Carolina


text:
Mountain Home, North Carolina

Mountain Home is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Henderson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,622 at the 2010 census, up from 2,169 in 2000. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Mountain Home is located in north-central Henderson County. It is bordered to the south by Balfour and to the northeast by Mud Creek, a tributary of the French Broad River. North Carolina Highway 191 forms the southwestern edge of the CDP. U.S. Route 25 Business (Asheville Highway) is the main road through Mountain Home, leading north 2 mi to Interstate 26 and 17 mi to Asheville. US 25 Business leads south 4 mi to Hendersonville.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.8 sqkm, of which 0.06 sqkm, or 0.58%, are water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,490 people, 1,709 households, and 1,051 families residing in the CDP.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,169 people, 906 households, and 656 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 816.9 PD/sqmi. There were 993 housing units at an average density of 374.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.71% White, 1.15% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.18% of the population.

There were 906 households, out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.75.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 20.4% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $41,042, and the median income for a family was $50,648. Males had a median income of $30,662 versus $22,011 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $22,829. About 4.7% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.

title: Mountain Home, North Carolina


text:
Valley Hill, North Carolina

Valley Hill is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Henderson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,070 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Valley Hill is located in central Henderson County. It is bordered to the north by the town of Laurel Park and to the northeast by the city of Hendersonville, the county seat.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.2 km2, of which 6.0 km2 are land and 0.2 km2, or 2.52%, are water. Osceola Lake, a reservoir built on Shepherd Creek, is the largest water body in the community.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,137 people, 891 households, and 598 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 904.4 PD/sqmi. There were 1,049 housing units at an average density of 443.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.81% White, 2.34% African American, 0.09% Native American, 1.22% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.56% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.62% of the population.

There were 891 households, out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.73.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 18.2% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 25.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $32,250, and the median income for a family was $37,325. Males had a median income of $31,795 versus $21,932 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,922. About 11.1% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.2% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

title: Valley Hill, North Carolina


text:
Ahoskie, North Carolina

Ahoskie is a town in Hertford County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 5,039 at the 2010 census. Ahoskie is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region. Its nickname is "The Only One" because no other town in the world is known by the same name. The etymology of the word Ahoskie, which was originally spelled "Ahotsky", was from [Eno people|the Wyanoke Indians]], who entered the Hertford County area at the beginning of European settlement.

History
Ahoskie began as a railroad siding for log trains hauling timber from the forests of Bertie and Hertford counties to a sawmill at Tunis on the Chowan and Southern Railroad line beginning in 1885. The town grew out of a loading station and commissaries to supply the community workers who cut, hauled and loaded the logs. Ahoskie's post office was established in 1889. The first passenger train passed through town on the newly opened tracks of the Norfolk and Carolina line in 1890.

By the time of its incorporation on January 24, 1893, Ahoskie had grown to include several stores, a saw mill and gin, a one-room school and a Baptist church. Other industries that flourished in the town's early days included an ice plant, a laundry operated by a wandering Chinese man, and a number of horse and mule exchanges and sales stables. Since few of the smaller towns in Hertford and Bertie counties were located on passenger lines, traveling salesman or "drummers" would use the town as a base to make sales trips to outlying community stores by horse and buggy.

The town's first bank, the Bank of Ahoskie, was chartered in 1905.

This area's economy was initially based on the cultivation of tobacco and cotton. It has continued to be largely rural with small towns.

The town has both historic districts and individual buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Ahoskie Historic District, Ahoskie Downtown Historic District, and East End Historic District; and Ahoskie School, Roberts H. Jernigan House, King-Casper-Ward-Bazemore House, William Mitchell House, Mulberry Grove, and James Newsome House. The town has highlighted these resources to encourage heritage tourism.

The county gave an acre of land on which the first Black school in Ahoskie was built, three years after the Civil War. The one-room schoolhouse at Hayes Street and Catherine Creek Road remained about 35 years. The first teacher at the school was Van Butler, and the school term was four months.

Through years of untiring efforts by the Black community, by 1939 the Ahoskie Graded School consisted of two brick buildings, with fourteen elementary teachers, five high school teachers and an enrollment of some 800 boys and girls.

The first Black church, The New Ahoskie Baptist Church, was organized in 1866. Other early churches in the Black community were The Methodist Church and Calvary Baptist Church.

The first charity organized in the Black community was Love and Charity, a mutual help group that met in members' homes under the slogan "Love to All, True to each Other, Mercy to all Mankind." Other early organizations included the Elks, Masons and Tents. The United Order of the Queens of the Orient had its origins in Ahoskie in 1923.

By 1939, the town had grown to include a number of Black-owned businesses including five grocery stores, three barber shops, three cafes, a dry goods store, a millinery shop, three hairdressers, three seamstresses, a doctor, a stenographer, two funeral homes and a garage. The Atlantic District Fair Association represented the economic interests of the town's Black community.

Perhaps the largest show seen in the town was a visit by Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in October 1916, an event that drew an estimated 12,000 people and required three shows to accommodate everybody. The leading citizens of the town hosted a breakfast at The Manhattan hotel for Col. William F. Cody, who expressed his deep appreciation for the hospitality accorded to him. Cody's visit came about through the personal solicitation of a kinsman of the show's business manager.

Electric lights were first turned on in Ahoskie around Christmas in 1915. The power was generated by a gasoline engine and within two years was providing electricity day and night.

Ahoskie was the first stop in North Carolina for first lady Claudia Alta Johnson during her whistle-stop tour of the South aboard the Lady Bird Express, on October 6, 1964.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.35 square miles, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,891 people, 1,895 households, and 1,044 families residing in the town.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 5,039 people, 2,062 households, and 1,263 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,169 inhabitants per square mile. There were 2,309 housing units at an average density of 536 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 66.6% African American, 28.5% White, 1.50% Native American, 1.3% Asian, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 2,062 households, out of which 20.9% had children under the age of 18, 43.0% were married couples living together, 25.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.01.

The population ages were distributed with 28.1% under the age of 20, 5.7% from 20 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.5 years.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,438, and the median income for a family was $37,833. Males had a median income of $36,711 versus $27,398 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,648. About 19.8% of families and 26.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.8% of those under age 18 and 22.4% of those age 65 or over.

Business and college
Ahoskie is home to the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald newspaper. In nearby Cofield there is a steel rolling mill owned and operated by Nucor Steel. Roanoke-Chowan Community College is located just outside Ahoskie in Union.

In the late 1990s, the town of Ahoskie donated a former elementary school to Shaw University, based in Raleigh. It established a Continuing and Professional Education (C.A.P.E.) center, to help improve and enhance the vocational and educational skills of individuals in lower-class communities in the surrounding area.

Notable people

 * Kentwan Balmer – defensive end in the NFL
 * Edward L. Fike – journalist and publisher in California, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia.
 * Bobby Futrell – cornerback in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1986 to 1990
 * Sam Harrell – running back in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings
 * Robert Lee Holloman – Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly
 * Jason Horton – former NFL, CFL and Arena Football League cornerback
 * Howard J. Hunter Jr. – Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly
 * Toran James – former NFL, XFL and Arena Football League fullback/linebacker
 * Dick Newsome – pitcher for the Boston Red Sox
 * Timmy Newsome – fullback in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys from 1980 to 1988
 * Amber O'Neal – professional wrestler
 * Graham Smith – Tuskegee Airman
 * Robert Lee Vann – newspaper publisher and editor
 * Tom Umphlett – MLB player for the Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators
 * Oshane Ximines – outside linebacker in the NFL for the New York Giants

title: Ahoskie, North Carolina


text:
Cofield, North Carolina

Cofield is a village in Hertford County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 413 at the 2010 census.

History
Deane House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 3.1 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 347 people, 145 households, and 90 families residing in the village. The population density was 111.1 PD/sqmi. There were 168 housing units at an average density of 53.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 13.54% White, 80.69% African American, 3.46% Native American, 1.73% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.46% of the population.

There were 145 households, out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.9% were married couples living together, 19.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $18,214, and the median income for a family was $27,969. Males had a median income of $28,250 versus $17,125 for females. The per capita income for the village was $11,810. About 23.8% of families and 26.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.7% of those under age 18 and 33.9% of those age 65 or over.

title: Cofield, North Carolina


text:
Morphou

Morphou (Μόρφου; Omorfo or Güzelyurt) is a town in the northwestern part of Cyprus, under the de facto control of Northern Cyprus. It is the administrative center of the Güzelyurt District of Northern Cyprus. Having been a predominantly Greek Cypriot community before the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the town is now inhabited by Turkish Cypriots.

With a population of 18,000 people, the town is famous for its oranges, apples, vegetables, grapefruit and melons. A large proportion of the citrus fruits are exported and the remainder are turned into fruit juice and canned for local consumption and export. Morphou is also famous for its annual Orange Festival, which is a major event lasting two weeks.

History
Morphou was founded by Spartans who brought with them the worship of Aphrodite. In the Middle Ages, the city was referred to as Morphou but also Theomorphou. In the 14th and 15th centuries, Morphou hosted royal casalia, where the profitable cultivation of sugar took place with the encouragement of the kings of Cyprus. The Morphou area grew more than half of Cyprus citrus fruits. In 16th and 17th centuries, during Ottoman period, Morphou was famous for its export of linen.

Between 1907 and 1948, Morphou was one of the prominent stations of the Cyprus Government Railway.

In the wake of the intercommunal violence called "Bloody Christmas", the majority of the Turkish Cypriot population fled the town in January 1964, though one-third remained. As a result of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, all of the Greek Cypriots of Morphou fled to the south of the island, and Morphou was inhabited by displaced Turkish Cypriots from the south. These people hailed from various villages in the Paphos district and the town of Paphos, though there were some who came from Limassol and the villages around it. This turned Morphou into a refugee town.

The agriculture in Morphou is expected to be boosted via the increase in irrigated farming by the help of the water pipe-line from Turkey.

Population
Before 1974, Morphou was an almost entirely Greek Cypriot community. According to the 1960 population census it was inhabited by 6480 Greek Cypriots, 123 Turkish Cypriots and 32 Maronites.

The population of Morphou increased slightly from 2006 to 2011. In 2019, State Planning Organization of Northern Cyprus recorded a population of 24,070 for Morphou.

Mahalle
İsmet Paşa, Lala Mustafa Paşa and Piyale Paşa are quarters (mahalle) of Morphou.

Education
In 2005, a Turkish state university, Middle East Technical University, opened its Northern Cyprus campus in Morphou, after the invitation of the Turkish and Turkish-Cypriot governments in 2000.

In 2016, another university called Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University was established as a private university in the center of Morphou (Guzelyurt) City.

Twin towns – sister cities
Morphou is twinned with:
 * 🇹🇷 Manisa, Turkey

Culture
The town is known for the annual Morphou Orange Festival, which has been organized by the municipality since 1977. The festival features local and Turkish singers and bands (the 2015 festival included many bands and singers including Model, Pinhani and SOS), modern and Latin dance shows, plays, fashion shows, traditional music and dance shows, sports competitions in several fields including football and darts and acrobatic shows. Along with the festival, the town annually hosts an Open Golf Tournament.

The town is home to two museums: the Icon Museum at the St Mamas Church and the Morphou History of Natural History and Archaeology. The latter is home to several specimens of native species that lived in Cyprus in different periods, as well as antiquities from the Neolithic Age to the Byzantine period. The St Mamas Church still annually hosts a Greek Cypriot liturgy. Bandabuliya (the closed market) is an important commercial center and was built in the 1930s in the British colonial architecture.

The town is the home of Binatlı Yılmaz S.K., a football club that spent the 2014-15 season in the KTFF 1. Lig, the second highest division. They finished the season in the third place and achieved promotion into the Süper Lig. The town is also home to Baf Ülkü Yurdu S.K., which will play in the 1. Lig in the 2015-16 season.

The municipality also runs the Morphou City Theater, a theatrical group that regularly puts on performances. The Morphou Theater Days are organized annually with the participation of the City Theater and other theaters from Northern Cyprus and Turkey. The organization reached 5000 viewers in 2014.

Church

It contains one of the many churches in the country dedicated to St. Mamas, popularly believed to have lived as a hermit in a cave near Morphou. According to local legend, he was a hermit living in very poor circumstances and when the authorities tried to tax him, he evaded them. Soldiers were sent out and captured him but on the way back to town, he saw a lion attacking a lamb, escaped the soldiers, saved the lamb, jumped on the lion's back and in that way came to town. His bravery earned him exemption from tax, hence his traditional attribute.

The church is an icon museum now.

Notable People from Morphou
Saint Philoumenos (Hasapis) of Jacob's Well

Climate
Morphou has a borderline Mediterranean climate/semi-arid climate as the rest of the island where summers are hot and dry, and winters are cool and wet.

title: Morphou


text:
Como, North Carolina

Como is a town in Hertford County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 91 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Como is located in northern Hertford County and U.S. Route 258 runs through the community, leading southwest 7 mi to Murfreesboro and northeast 15 mi to Franklin, Virginia.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Como has a total area of 8.2 km2, of which 0.02 km2, or 0.30%, are water.

History
The town is notable for being the birthplace of Richard Gatling, inventor of the Gatling gun. The church he attended, Buckhorn Baptist Church, is still active today.

Another well-known resident was the hoodoo root doctor Jim Jordan, who died in the early 1960s. Jordan, who was African-American, was the subject of the biographical book The Fabled Dr. Jim Jordan written by F. Roy Johnson of nearby Murfreesboro.

Hare Plantation House, Riddick House, and Vernon Place are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 78 people, 35 households, and 22 families residing in the town. The population density was 23.3 people per square mile (9.0/km2). There were 44 housing units at an average density of 13.1 per square mile (5.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 83.33% White and 16.67% African American.

There were 35 households, out of which 20.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 17.9% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 20.5% from 25 to 44, 38.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,250, and the median income for a family was $45,417. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,769. There were no families and 3.5% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 15.4% of those over 64.

title: Como, North Carolina


text:
Harrellsville, North Carolina

Harrellsville is a town in Hertford County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 106 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Harrellsville is located in southeastern Hertford County. North Carolina Highway 45 runs through the town, leading northwest 11 mi to Winton, the county seat, and south 7 mi to Colerain.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Harrellsville has a total area of 0.75 km2, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 102 people, 47 households, and 36 families residing in the town. The population density was 307.3 PD/sqmi. There were 50 housing units at an average density of 150.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 71.49% White, 21.51% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.00% from two or more races. 0.00% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 47 households, out of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.3% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.49.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 19.6% under the age of 18, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,000, and the median income for a family was $31,500. Males had a median income of $30,833 versus $30,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,051. None of the population and none of the families were below the poverty line.

History
The town of Harrellsville was founded in the 1820s by the Harrell families. A post office was established in 1827, and Abner Harrell became the postmaster in 1833. Originally known as Bethel, the town was changed to Harrellsville in the 1860s out of respect for Abner Harrell. Originally, Abner Harrell's house, one of the largest buildings in the town, remained standing until circa 2000, when the land it stood on was purchased and the house torn down.

The Harrellsville Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

Notable person

 * Robert Holmes Smith (1898–1943) Commander, Squadron 2, U.S. Navy Pacific Submarine Fleet in World War II

title: Harrellsville, North Carolina


text:
Murfreesboro, North Carolina

Murfreesboro is a town in Hertford County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,835 at the 2010 census. The town is home to Chowan University.

Geography
Murfreesboro is located in northwestern Hertford County on high ground south of the Meherrin River. U.S. Route 258 runs through the eastern end of the town, and U.S. Route 158 bypasses the town to the south. US-258 leads southwest 51 mi to Tarboro and northeast 21 mi to Franklin, Virginia, while US-158 leads east 10 mi to Winton, the Hertford county seat, and west 37 mi to Roanoke Rapids.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 5.9 sqkm, of which 5.8 sqkm are land and 0.1 sqkm, or 2.27%, are water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,619 people, 1,081 households, and 552 families residing in the town.

Before European settlement
The first recorded inhabitants of the area were Native Americans from the Nottoway, Meherrin and Chowanoke tribes.

The first European known to visit the area was John White of the Roanoke Colony in the 16th century. It was also visited by an expedition from Jamestown, Virginia, in the 17th century.

The last native inhabitants, the Chowanoke, were expelled after warring with the English in 1675 and 1676. After that, they were moved to a reservation east of the Chowan River in what is now Gates County.

Colonial era to the American Revolution
The first known deed to property in the area is a land grant dated November 5, 1714, made to Henry Wheeler for a tract on the Meherrin River which included what is now Murfreesboro. Several other transactions quickly followed, and in 1735 Joseph Parker founded the Meherrin Church. It is the second-oldest Baptist church in North Carolina (now known as Meherrin Baptist Church).

On May 27, 1746, James Jordon Scott sold 150 acre on the Meherrin River (part of Wheeler's original grant) to an Irish immigrant, William Murfree from Nansemond County, Virginia. On December 12, 1754, the General Assembly designated Murfree's Landing as a King's Landing, where imports and exports would be inspected by a representative of the King.

Revolution to the American Civil War
On July 17, 1781, British forces led by Banastre Tarleton and the British Legion attacked Maney's Neck near Murfree's Landing. William Murfree's son, Hardy Murfree, led a local militia that repulsed the attack at Skinner's Bridge.

William Murfree contributed 97 acre of land surrounding Murfree's Landing in 1787 to the growing settlement to form a town. The town was chartered by the General Assembly and renamed Murfreesboro on January 6, 1787. This act also provided for the establishment of a public dock, as the town was located at the northernmost point of navigation on the Meherrin River.

Murfreesboro was designated by the US Congress in 1790 as an official port of entry, and the customs records indicate a profitable three-cornered trade with New England and the West Indies.

In 1809, the Hertford Academy was established in Murfreesboro, opening in 1811 for male students. In 1814, Harriet Sketchly and Martha Sketchly arrived and expanded the female department of the academy considerably. By 1849, it was renamed as the Chowan Baptist Female Institute, the forerunner of Chowan University.

In 1831 Murfreesboro was among towns that sent armed forces (these were led by Captain Solon Borland) to Southampton County, Virginia, to quell Nat Turner's slave rebellion. As a result of these events, Virginia and North Carolina reduced the rights of free blacks, prohibiting education of both free blacks and slaves.

Education
Riverview Elementary School and Hertford County Middle School, both of which are part of the Hertford County Public Schools system.

Chowan University, a small Baptist university, is located in Murfreesboro.

Commerce
Murfreesboro is no longer an active port. The last commercial vessel to operate on a regular basis was a Texaco Oil barge; it ceased service to the town in October 1966.

The town is served by the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald newspaper, which is based in nearby Ahoskie.

Attractions
Numerous buildings of the town, mostly grand houses, are on the National Register of Historic Places: the David A. Barnes House, The Cedars, The Columns, Cowper-Thompson House, Freeman House, Melrose, Myrick House, Myrick-Yeates-Vaughan House, Francis Parker House, William Rea Store, Roberts-Vaughan House, and John Wheeler House. In addition, Princeton Site and the Murfreesboro Historic District are listed on the NRHP.

The John Wheeler House is identified as the birthplace of John Hill Wheeler, a planter and politician who served as Minister to Nicaragua and North Carolina State Treasurer. In 2013 it was established that Hannah Bond, a slave who escaped to the North and wrote The Bondwoman's Narrative under the name of Hannah Crafts, had been held by him as a domestic servant. She escaped around 1857 from his plantation and wrote her manuscript on paper traced to his library. It was found in the early 21st century, authenticated and published for the first time in 2002 as the first known novel by an African-American woman.

The old Murfreesboro public school (which housed grades 1 - 12 until 1972) has been redeveloped as the Brady C. Jefcoat Museum. It houses the collections of Brady Jefcoat, a Raleigh native. It includes hundreds of well-preserved ordinary items from the late 19th and early 20th century, including functional phonographs, radios, washing machines, and agricultural implements, as well as a wide variety of other novelties.

Notable people

 * William Hill Brown, author of the first American novel.
 * Tim Cofield, former NFL and CFL linebacker
 * Sallie Southall Cotten, writer and clubwoman
 * Curtis Deloatch, former cornerback in the NFL
 * Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, an Al Qaeda leader, attended Chowan University in 1983
 * Hardy Murfree, lieutenant colonel from North Carolina during the American Revolutionary War
 * Julian Myrick, insurance salesman and promoter of tennis
 * William N. H. Smith, Democratic congressman and North Carolina Supreme Court justice
 * Dwight Stephenson, center in the NFL, 5x First Team All-Pro selection and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
 * Fred Vinson, former NBA player and current coach
 * John H. Wheeler, first United States ambassador to Nicaragua and head of the United States Mint

title: Murfreesboro, North Carolina