text:
Winton, North Carolina

Winton is a town and the county seat of Hertford County, North Carolina, United States. It is governed by the Town Council which consists of a Mayor and five Council members. The population was 769 at the 2010 census.

History
Winton was established and has been the county seat of Hertford County since 1766.

On September 19, 1862, Union soldiers under Colonel Rush C. Hawkins sacked and burned the town.

The earliest buildings in the Winton Historic District reflect the Italianate, Queen Anne, and Gothic Revival styles of the mid-to-late ninetineth century.

In 1924, Winton was connected south to Ahoskie by the Winton-Ahoskie Highway, now US Highway 13, and a steel highway bridge was built across the Chowan River at Winton in 1925, the first in the county to cross the river.

The C. S. Brown School Auditorium, Gray Gables, and King Parker House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.8 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 629 people, 291 households, and 192 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 956 people, 373 households, and 252 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,180.6 PD/sqmi. There were 385 housing units at an average density of 475.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 67.99% African American, 27.62% White, 2.41% Native American, 0.84% from other races, 0.63% Asian, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.78% of the population.

There were 373 households, out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.9% were married couples living together, 29.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% 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 2.91.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $19,706, and the median income for a family was $21,838. Males had a median income of $21,875 compared to $17,059 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,049. About 19.3% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.7% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

Winton and the surrounding area is the home of the Meherrin Indian Tribe. This state-recognized tribe has more than 900 members.

Government and infrastructure
Rivers Correctional Institution, a private prison operated by the GEO Group which operates under contract from the Federal Bureau of Prisons and houses many felons who committed crimes in Washington, DC, is 1 mi from Winton.

Education
The Hertford County Public Schools system serves students in the area, many of whom attend Hertford County High School in Ahoskie. C. S. Brown High School STEM, and The Alternative Learning Program are located in Winton.

Notable people

 * Sherman Jones, Major League Baseball player and Kansas politician
 * Thad Eure Politician who holds the record for longest tenure as an elected official in the United States, serving as North Carolina Secretary of State from 1936 to 1989.

title: Winton, North Carolina


text:
Ashley Heights, North Carolina

Ashley Heights is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Hoke County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 380 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Ashley Heights is located in northwestern Hoke County along North Carolina Highway 211, which leads northwest 5 mi to Aberdeen and southeast 12 mi to Raeford, the Hoke county seat. The community is in the Sandhills region of North Carolina and is bordered to the east by Fort Liberty.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 5.75 km2, all of it recorded as land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 341 people, 120 households, and 101 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 141.2 PD/sqmi. There were 132 housing units at an average density of 54.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 58.36% White, 22.58% African American, 13.49% Native American, 1.47% from other races, and 4.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.74% of the population.

There were 120 households, out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples living together, 19.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.8% were non-families. 13.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 29.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 34.6% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $32,679, and the median income for a family was $28,000. Males had a median income of $40,938 versus $21,042 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,467. About 22.7% of families and 22.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.0% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

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

title: Ashley Heights, North Carolina


text:
Bowmore, North Carolina

Bowmore is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Hoke County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 103 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Bowmore is located in southwestern Hoke County along U.S. Route 401, which leads northeast 5 mi to Raeford, the county seat, and southwest the same distance to Wagram.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Bowmore CDP has a total area of 8.6 km2, all of it land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 145 people, 60 households, and 42 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 43.2 PD/sqmi. There were 73 housing units at an average density of 21.7/sq mi (8.4/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 22.07% White, 57.93% African American, 18.62% Native American, 1.38% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.07% of the population.

There were 60 households, out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 116.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $39,125, and the median income for a family was $48,250. Males had a median income of $30,156 versus $16,000 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $13,807. There were none of the families and 4.2% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

title: Bowmore, North Carolina


text:
Dundarrach, North Carolina

Dundarrach is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hoke County, North Carolina, United States. At the 2010 census, the population was 41.

Geography
Dundarrach is located in southeastern Hoke County along North Carolina Highway 20, which leads northwest 5 mi to Raeford, the county seat, and southeast the same distance to Lumber Bridge.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Dundarrach CDP has a total area of 3.4 km2, all of it land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, 62 people, 25 households, and 19 families resided in the CDP. The population density was 39.7 PD/sqmi. The 31 housing units averaged 19.8/sq mi (7.7/km$2$). The racial makeup of the CDP was 69.35% White, 11.29% African American, and 19.35% Native American. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 9.68% of the population.

Of the 25 households, 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 28.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were not families. About 20.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.74.

In the CDP, the population was distributed as 22.6% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 35.5% from 25 to 44, 16.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $4,659, and for a family was $16,250. Males had a median income of $0 versus $0 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $6,975. No families and 39.3% of the population were living below the poverty line, including none under 18 and 57.9% of those over 64.

title: Dundarrach, North Carolina


text:
Five Points, North Carolina

Five Points is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hoke County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 689 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Five Points is located in western Hoke County. The original "Five Points" is the intersection of Calloway Road, Montrose Road, and N. Horace Walters Road, 8 mi northwest of Raeford, the Hoke county seat. The Five Points CDP extends east as far as North Carolina Highway 211 and west to Pendergrass Road and Mountain Creek.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 21.4 km2, all of it land. The community is drained by Mountain Creek, Little Creek, and Buffalo Creek, all southwest-flowing tributaries of Drowning Creek, the upstream name of the Lumber River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 306 people, 113 households, and 91 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 57.2 PD/sqmi. There were 125 housing units at an average density of 23.4/sq mi (9.0/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 59.15% White, 34.97% African American, 5.56% Native American, 0.33% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.27% of the population.

There were 113 households, out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 21.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.6% were non-families. 15.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 12.7% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $51,313, and the median income for a family was $45,729. Males had a median income of $14,796 versus $18,958 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $14,872. About 7.0% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.0% of those under the age of 18 and none of those 65 or over.

title: Five Points, North Carolina


text:
Raeford, North Carolina

Raeford is a city in Hoke County, North Carolina, United States. Its population was 4,559 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Hoke County.

History
John McRae and A.A. Williford operated a turpentine distillery and general store, respectively. Each took a syllable from his name and came up with the name Raeford for the post office they established. The McRae family, who lived at the "ford of the creek", was at one time made up primarily of old Highland Scot families. Likewise, the Upper Cape Fear Valley of North Carolina was, in the 18th and 19th centuries, the largest settlement of Gaelic-speaking Highland Scots in North America. Today, many of these old families continue to live in the area, though their presence is noticeably diminished by the great numbers of newcomers to the area as a result of Fort Liberty. Since World War II, many Lumbee Indian families have moved northward from Robeson County and now constitute a significant element of the population that is otherwise European and African American.

The Hoke County Courthouse and Raeford Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
Raeford is located in central Hoke County and is bordered to the northeast by Rockfish Creek, an east-flowing tributary of the Cape Fear River. The southern part of the city drains to Toneys Creek, a south-flowing component of the Lumber River–Pee Dee River–Waccamaw River watershed.

U.S. Route 401 runs through the north and west sides of Raeford, leading east 22 mi to Fayetteville and southwest 20 mi to Laurinburg. U.S. 401 Business passes through the center of town as Harris Avenue and East Central Avenue. North Carolina Highway 20 leaves the center of Raeford as St. Pauls Drive, leading southeast 19 mi to St. Pauls. North Carolina Highway 211 runs through the center of Raeford, entering from the south on Main Street and leaving to the west on Prospect Avenue; NC-211 leads south 30 mi to Lumberton and northwest 17 mi to Aberdeen.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.1 km2, of which 0.06 km2, or 0.53%, is covered by water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,559 people, 1,909 households, and 1,086 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, 3,386 people, 1,323 households, and 899 families resided in the city. The population density was 902.3 PD/sqmi. The 1,440 housing units averaged 383.7 per square mile (148.3/km$2$). The racial makeup of the city was 52.75% White, 40.93% African American, 2.86% Native American, 0.95% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.09% from other races, and 1.39% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 4.16% of the population.

Of the 1,323 households, 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 18.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were not families. About 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% 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 2.94.

In the city, the age distribution was 23.7% under 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,306, and for a family was $33,772. Males had a median income of $27,060 versus $26,050 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,093. About 18.6% of families and 22.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.6% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Diamond and Silk — conservative Internet personalities
 * George Floyd — born near Raeford October 1973; killed in Minneapolis in May 2020, during arrest by four police officers
 * Eric Maynor — selected 20th overall by Utah Jazz in 2009 NBA draft
 * Gil McGregor — selected 89th overall by Cincinnati Royals in 1971 NBA draft
 * Terrell McIntyre — retired professional basketball player; two-time All-Euroleague First Team selection; reached Euroleague Final Four in 2008 with Montepaschi Siena
 * Jim McMillian — selected 13th overall by Los Angeles Lakers in 1970 NBA draft
 * Kathy McMillan — former Olympic long jumper representing the United States
 * Detrez Newsome, former NFL running back
 * Ted Thomas Sr. — cleric with the Church of God in Christ
 * Earl Wolff — football safety for NFL's Washington Redskins; played college football at North Carolina State; selected by Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft
 * Merchel Menefield - Doctoral Admissions Advisor at Franklin University.

title: Raeford, North Carolina


text:
Rockfish, North Carolina

Rockfish is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hoke County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,298 at the 2010 census, up from 2,353 at the 2000 census.

History
Puppy Creek Plantation was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Geography
Rockfish is located in eastern Hoke County and is bordered to the east across Stewarts Creek by the city of Fayetteville in Cumberland County. Rockfish is 10 mi east of Raeford, the Hoke county seat, and 13 mi southwest of the center of Fayetteville.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 13.1 km2, of which 12.8 sqkm are land and 0.2 sqkm, or 1.87%, is covered by water. The community is drained by Stewart Creek and Gully Branch, both of which flow south to Rockfish Creek, an east-flowing tributary of the Cape Fear River.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,383 people, 1,348 households, and 948 families residing in the CDP.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,353 people, 805 households, and 680 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 469.9 PD/sqmi. There were 893 housing units at an average density of 178.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 76.50% White, 14.32% African American, 2.76% Native American, 1.10% Asian, 0.30% Pacific Islander, 1.70% from other races, and 3.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.39% of the population.

There were 805 households, out of which 51.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.2% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.5% were non-families. 11.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 1.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 33.0% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 45.8% from 25 to 44, 10.0% from 45 to 64, and 3.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $46,786, and the median income for a family was $54,375. Males had a median income of $35,574 versus $22,102 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,112. About 6.6% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.

title: Rockfish, North Carolina


text:
Silver City, North Carolina

Silver City is an unincorporated area and census-designated place (CDP) in Hoke County, North Carolina in the United States. The population was 882 at the 2010 census, down from 1,146 at the 2000 census.

Geography
Silver City is located in central Hoke County on the north side of the city of Raeford, the county seat. U.S. Route 401 passes through the community, leading east 21 mi to Fayetteville and southwest the same distance to Laurinburg. The center of Raeford is 1 mi south of Silver City down North Main Street.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.9 km2, all of it land. The CDP is bordered to the northeast by Rockfish Creek, a tributary of the Cape Fear River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,146 people, 424 households, and 303 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 746.7 PD/sqmi. There were 465 housing units at an average density of 303.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 3.40% White, 94.24% African American, 0.70% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.44% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.31% of the population.

There were 424 households, out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.0% were married couples living together, 35.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.5% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the CDP the population was spread out, with 27.1% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 76.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $25,238, and the median income for a family was $29,464. Males had a median income of $24,444 versus $18,850 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $13,139. About 15.3% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.8% of those under age 18 and 23.8% of those age 65 or over.

title: Silver City, North Carolina


text:
Ocracoke, North Carolina

Ocracoke is a census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated town located at the southern end of Ocracoke Island, located entirely within Hyde County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 948 as of the 2010 census. In the 2020 census, the population had dropped to 797 people.

No bridges connect Ocracoke Island to the mainland, though the main road across the island is part of North Carolina Highway 12, which uses a series of ferries to connect to Hatteras Island, to Cedar Island, and to the mainland at Swan Quarter. The economy of the island is driven by tourism and commercial fishing. A unique dialect of English, known colloquially as the Hoi Toider accent, is spoken in Ocracoke, though among younger residents it is being replaced by more standard dialects of General American. Ocracoke Island was the location of the pirate Blackbeard's death in November 1718. Though it saw no direct military action, Ocracoke was the site of a Confederate fort during the U.S. Civil War. During World War II, German submarines torpedoed several British ships off the coast of the island; the remains of four sailors washed ashore and occupy a small cemetery on the island. There is a yearly ceremony to honor the British dead presented by the British government, the National Park Service, and the United States Coast Guard.

Being so far out in the Atlantic Ocean, Ocracoke Island is frequently in the path of tropical cyclones, notably Hurricane Dorian in 2019, which destroyed approximately 1,000 ft of pavement along NC 12.

History
In the 16th century, Hatteras and Ocracoke islands were inhabited by Algonquian-speaking Indians called the Hatteras or Croatan peoples. Okracoke was called Wococcon by the 16th century explorers, possibly a reference to an Indian settlement at the site. The Hatteras people disappeared by the mid 18th century. Some were victims of epidemics of Old World diseases. Others intermarried with white settlers. "Yaupon tea" or "black drink" was made from the dried leaves of the indigenous yaupon, a native holly, and was used ceremonially by the Indians in the area.

Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano described the area in detail in 1524. He was unable to navigate the shallow inlets leading into Pamlico Sound. In 1585, Sir Walter Raleigh's ship the Tiger ran aground on a sand bar in Ocracoke Inlet and was forced to land on the island for repairs. English colonists attempted a settlement at Roanoke Island in the late 16th century, but it failed. This effectively halted European settlement in the area until 1663, when the Carolina Colony was chartered by King Charles II. However, remote Ocracoke Island was not permanently settled until 1750, being a pirate haven at times before then. It was a favorite anchorage of Edward Teach, better known as the pirate Blackbeard. He was killed on the island in a fierce battle with troops from Virginia on November 22, 1718. The grounds of what is now the Springer's Point Nature Preserve were said to be his hideout.

The state assembly established Pilot Town in 1715. Throughout the mid-to-late 18th century, the island was home to a number of especially skilled schooner pilots who could get smaller ships through the inlet to Pamlico Sound. As population increased on the mainland, demand increased for shipment of goods from ocean-going vessels. Warehouses were built to hold goods off-loaded from larger ships offshore and then loaded onto smaller schooners to be delivered to plantations and towns along the mainland rivers.

By the late 19th century, the shipping business was gone, and the United States Life-Saving Service became a major source of steady income for local men. Fishing became more important to the livelihood of the area, including charters for tourists.

The Ocracoke Historic District, Ocracoke Light Station, and Salter-Battle Hunting and Fishing Lodge are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Major hurricanes struck the island in August and September 1933, September 1944, and August 1949. The first-person accounts of these storms were recorded on the walls of the "Hurricane House".

Ocracoke continues to suffer frequent storm damage, including the recent Hurricane Dorian in 2019, which destroyed approximately 1,000 ft of pavement along NC 12. Afterwards, Ocracoke Island was closed to visitors for contractors to repair the road and dune line. Normal access was restored as of December 5, 2019.

Fort Ocracoke
Fort Ocracoke, a Confederate fortification constructed at the beginning of the American Civil War, was situated on Beacon Island in Ocracoke Inlet, two miles to the west-southwest of Ocracoke village. The octagon-shaped fort was built on a previous War of 1812 site. At one point nearly 500 Confederate troops were stationed in and around Ocracoke and the fort. The Confederates abandoned and partially destroyed the fort in August 1861 after Union victories on nearby Hatteras Island. Union forces razed it a month later on September 17, 1861. Beacon Island and the fort subsided beneath the waves of the inlet after the 1933 hurricanes that struck the area. The remnants of Fort Ocracoke were relocated and identified in 1998 by the Surface Interval Diving Company.

Energy modernization project
In May 2021, Ocracoke was one of 11 communities (along with nearby Nags Head, North Carolina) chosen by the United States Department of Energy to participate in the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project, a program to provide federal aid for remote communities to modernize their electric infrastructure and resiliency through natural disasters and outages. Ocracoke's grant is used to analyze the possibility of electrifying its ferry fleet. An electrified ferry fleet would increase hurricane evacuation access while decreasing reliance on fossil fuels.

Geography
The island of Ocracoke is a part of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. At various times throughout recorded history the barrier island now known as Ocracoke has been part of Hatteras Island. The "Old Hatteras Inlet" opened prior to 1657 south of the current inlet separating Ocracoke from Hatteras, but closed around 1764 causing the islands to be reconnected. Ocracoke remained connected to Hatteras until Wells Creek Inlet opened in the 1840s and later closed. The modern "Hatteras Inlet" that separates the two islands was formed on September 7, 1846 by a violent gale. This massive storm, known in Cuba as 1846 Havana hurricane and along the East Coast of the United States as the Great Gale of 1846, was the same storm that opened Oregon Inlet.

It is one of the most remote islands in the Outer Banks, as it can only be reached by one of three public ferries (two of which are toll ferries), private boat, or private plane. Other than the village of Ocracoke and a few other areas (a ferry terminal, a pony pen, a small runway), the entire island is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

The village of Ocracoke is located around a small sheltered harbor called Silver Lake, with a second smaller residential area built around a series of man-made canals called Oyster Creek. The village is located at the widest point of the island, protected from the Atlantic Ocean by sand dunes and a salt marsh. The average height of the island is less than 5 ft above sea level, and many of the buildings on the island are built on pilings to lift them off the ground. Flooding is a risk during both hurricanes and large storms. Ocracoke Light is situated near Silver Lake and has remained in continuous operation since 1823.

The island is home to a British cemetery. During World War II, German submarines sank several British ships, including HMT Bedfordshire, and the bodies of British sailors were washed ashore. They were buried in a cemetery on the island. A lease for the 2290 sqft plot, where a British flag flies at all times, was given to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for as long as the land remained a cemetery, and the small site officially became a British cemetery. The United States Coast Guard station on Ocracoke Island takes care of the property. A memorial ceremony is held each year in May.

Ocracoke village is located at 35.11278°N, -75.97583°W (35.112687, -75.975895). The United States Census Bureau counts the entire island as a census-designated place (CDP), with a total area of 24.9 km2, of which 22.3 km2, or 89.58%, of the area is land, and 2.6 km2, or 10.58%, is water.

Climate
Ocracoke has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) with hot, humid summers and cool, windy winters. Precipitation is plentiful year round and peaks during the months of August and September. The record high and low are 99 °F and 13 °F and occurred, respectively, on the dates August 18 and 22, 1975 and February 20, 2015. The highest minimum temperature recorded was 84 °F and occurred on July 2, 1973. The lowest maximum temperature recorded was 22 °F and occurred on February 20, 2015. The highest daily snowfall recorded was 9 in and happened on January 24, 2003. The highest daily snow depth also occurred on January 24, 2003 and was nine inches, with the snow sticking on the ground for five days in total. The first and last average dates for a freeze are December 21 and March 3, giving Ocracoke an average growing season of 293 days. The average first and last dates for a hot 80 °F temperature are May 9 and October 16. The water temperature averages 81.7 °F in August to 53.4 °F in February, and usually is never above 85 °F or below 50 °F, though due to the island's proximity to Cape Hatteras, where the warm Gulf Stream and the cold Labrador Current meet, water temperatures commonly fluctuate year round. The ocean is usually comfortable for swimming from late May into early October.

Transportation and public services
A single paved two-lane road, NC 12, runs from the village at the southwestern end of the island to the ferry dock at the northeastern tip of the island, where a one-hour-long free ferry connects to Hatteras Island. The second ferry dock, located in the village, has toll connections to Swans Quarter, on the mainland and Cedar Island, near Atlantic.A passenger ferry operates across Ocracoke Inlet to the deserted village of Portsmouth, at the northern end of the Core Banks.

Ocracoke Island Airport (FAA Identifier W95) is located slightly southeast of the village, allowing small aircraft to land.

Being so far out in the Atlantic Ocean, Ocracoke Island is frequently in the path of tropical cyclones, notably Hurricane Dorian in 2019, which destroyed approximately 1,000 ft of pavement along NC 12. This is possibly a consideration against building a bridge to this island.

The lengthy travel time between Ocracoke and other portions of Hyde County meant that, according to David S. Cecelski, author of Along Freedom Road: Hyde County, North Carolina, and the Fate of Black Schools in the South, that "Ocracokers have had little interaction with the rest of Hyde County".

Hyde County maintains the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department located on Highway 12.

Tourism
The economy of Ocracoke Island is based almost entirely on tourism. During the winter, the population shrinks and only a few businesses remain open. During the spring, summer, and early fall, an influx of tourists occupies hotels, campgrounds and weekly rental houses—and day visitors arrive by ferry from Hatteras Island. Several bars, a brewery, dozens of restaurants, and many shops, stores and other tourist-based businesses open for the tourist season. Visitors can find many shops that feature local, handmade goods, as well as imported artisanal goods and rare antiques, unusual for such a small island.

Fishing
Commercial fishing contributes to the local economy with chartered sport fishing drawing tourism. With easy access to Pamlico Sound, the Atlantic coast and the Gulf Stream, Ocracoke offers various fishing opportunities, from small Sound fish to tuna and drum.

Winter economy
During the winter, the island's only main employers are construction, the NC Department of Transportation, and the businesses that support the small population. Many islanders use the winter as time off, since they tend to work between 60 and 80 hours a week during the tourist season.

Local dialect
Ocracoke Island and other parts of the Outer Banks historically have a distinct dialect of English, often referred to as a brogue. The dialect is known as the High Tider dialect, after the characteristic phrase "high tide" (often pronounced "hoi toide" ). Due to the influx of tourists and greater contact with the mainland in recent years, however, the brogue has been increasingly influenced by outside dialects.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 797 people, 317 households, and 225 families residing in the CDP.

2010 census
As of 2010, there were 948 people living in the CDP. The population density as of 2000 was 80.4 people per square mile (31.1/km$2$). In 2000, there were 784 housing units at an average density of 82.0 /sqmi in 2000. As of 2010, the racial makeup of the CDP was 96.2% White, 1.6% African American, 0.6% from two or more races, 0.4% from Native American, and 0.2% Asian. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.1% of the population.

There were 370 households, out of which 17.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were composed of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.55.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 13.0% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 34.6% 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 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $34,315, and the median income for a family was $38,750. Males had a median income of $26,667 versus $25,625 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,032. About 7.7% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.8% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The residents of Ocracoke Island are served by the Ocracoke School (K-12), part of the Hyde County Schools, with a student population of 186 as of 2019. BHM Regional Library operates a library branch within the Ocracoke School and Community Library.

Culture
In Ocracoke, figs and fig cake are a prominent part of the town's cuisine, and the town has an annual fig festival that includes a fig cake contest.

Ocracoke is home to one radio station, WOVV. The studios of WOVV, branded as "Ocracoke Community Radio", are located on Back Road in Ocracoke.

The Ocracoke Observer newspaper provides coverage of local and regional events. The Observer website is updated daily and a monthly print edition is produced March through December.

In popular culture

 * Ocracoke is the setting for the bestselling A Holiday for Edith and the Bears in the Lonely Doll series by Dare Wright
 * Ocracoke appears in the novel A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon
 * Ocracoke is the setting for a stone circle portal in Outlander (TV series) based on the books by Diana Gabaldon
 * Most of the setting in the novel The Wish by Nicholas Sparks takes place in Ocracoke

title: Ocracoke, North Carolina


text:
Harmony, North Carolina

Harmony is a town in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. The town was incorporated in 1927 and is located in northeastern Iredell County and lies in the eastern portion of the North Carolina High Country. It is primarily located in Turnersburg Township, with its northernmost portion in Eagle Mills Township. The population was 531 at the 2010 census.

The Gaither House, Holland-Summers House, Morrison-Campbell House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places are located in or near Harmony.

History
Harmony was incorporated in 1927. It was named for the Harmony Hill Camp Meetings that took place for two weeks each year on the current site of the Harmony elementary school. The focus of the meetings was a religious (Methodists and Baptists) revival with extensive social gatherings. The first meeting occurred in 1846 and meetings continue to be held the second weekend of October. While the area around Harmony is mostly rural, the town includes a library, the Tomlinson-Moore family park, Harmony Volunteer Fire Department, community center, elementary school, doctor's offices, a manufacturing plant (Associated Metal Works), and other businesses. The Harmony Academy was founded in 1908. It later became Harmony Farm Life (an accredited high school) in 1916. In the 1966 consolidation of high schools in Iredell County, the site of the Harmony high school became an elementary school.

Geography
U.S. Route 21 passes through the town center, leading north 23 mi to Elkin and south 15 mi to Statesville, the Iredell County seat. North Carolina Highway 901 crosses US 21 in the center of Harmony, leading northwest 5 mi to Interstate 77 and southeast 6 mi to U.S. Route 64.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.5 km2, of which 0.01 sqkm, or 0.38%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 533 people, 206 households, and 150 families residing in the town. The population density was 380.7 PD/sqmi. There were 223 housing units at an average density of 161.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 91.44% White, 5.89% African American, 1.90% Native American, 0.38% from other races, and 0.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.47% of the population.

There were 206 households, out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $30,972, and the median income for a family was $41,042. Males had a median income of $30,139 versus $22,708 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,591. About 6.5% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

title: Harmony, North Carolina


text:
Love Valley, North Carolina

Love Valley is a town in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. It also extends into Alexander County on its western end. The population was 90 at the 2010 census, and in 2020 the estimated population was 154.

History
Love Valley is a small town located in a remote valley in the Brushy Mountains of northwestern North Carolina. Its creation in 1954 marked the fulfillment of a dream for founder Andy Barker. Barker developed two visions as a young man—he wanted to build a Christian community, and he wanted to be a cowboy. In 1954 he combined those visions to create an Old West-style village in the hills of northwestern Iredell County. The town was incorporated on April 2, 1963.

Modeled after the Old West towns seen in countless Hollywood films, Love Valley boasts a saloon, general store, hitching posts, and rodeos. Automobiles are not allowed inside the town limits; people still use horses and horse-drawn vehicles to travel in the town. A small, nondenominational Christian church sits on a hill overlooking the town, thus emphasizing Barker's vision of a Christian utopia. The town garnered its share of controversy in the 1960s and 1970s, including around the "Love Valley Rock Festival", which local farmers complained brought drug addicts and other "troublemakers" to the area. However, over the last two decades the town has settled down considerably and is now known as a popular gathering spot for horse-lovers and horseback riding. There are miles of horseback riding trails in the surrounding Brushy Mountains.

Geography
Love Valley is located in the Brushy Mountains of northwestern Iredell County. It is 16 mi north of Statesville, the Iredell County seat, and 23 mi southeast of Wilkesboro by road through the Brushy Mountains.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.6 km2, of which 5366 sqm, or 0.33%, are water. The town's area drains southwest to Snow Creek, part of the South Yadkin River watershed.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 90 people, 17 households, and 9 families residing in the town. The population density was 450.0 PD/sqmi. There were 31 housing units at an average density of 154.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town is 98.9% White.

There were 17 households, out of which 11.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.2% were non-families. 41.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.76 and the average family size was 2.20.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 6.7% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 20.0% from 25 to 44, 36.7% from 45 to 64, and 30.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 55 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $24,375, and the median income for a family was $25,313. Males had a median income of $0 versus $0 for females. The per capita income for the town was $9,848. There were 15.4% of families and 31.0% of the population living below the poverty line, including 50.0% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

title: Love Valley, North Carolina


text:
Mooresville, North Carolina

Mooresville is a town located in the southwestern section of Iredell County, North Carolina, United States, and is a part of the fast-growing Charlotte metropolitan area. The population was 50,193 at the 2020 census, making it the most populous municipality in Iredell County. It is located approximately 25 mi north of Charlotte.

Mooresville is best known as the home of many NASCAR racing teams and drivers, along with an IndyCar team and its drivers, as well as racing technology suppliers, which has earned the town the nickname "Race City USA". Also located in Mooresville is the corporate headquarters of Lowe's Corporation and Universal Technical Institute's NASCAR Technical Institute.

History
The area that would develop into the town of Mooresville was originally settled by English, German, and Scots-Irish families who moved into the area from nearby Rowan County, as well as from Virginia, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere. Many were seeking new lands on which to establish farms. Many of the early families such as the Wilsons, Davidsons, Cowans, Sherrills, Torrances, and others came to the area as early as the mid-1700s. They formed small communities that eventually grew into the community known as "Deep Well", which took its name from a large natural well that was found in the area.

Many of these families established large farms, primarily of cotton, which grew into small plantations by the 1850s. Major Rufus Reid was the most prominent planter in the area, enslaving 81 African Americans on over 2000 acre of land. His property was known as Mount Mourne Plantation, named after the Mourne Mountains of County Down in Northern Ireland. Several other historic plantation homes are set in the area as well, including the Johnson-Neel House, the Cornelius House, Forest Dell Plantation, and the colonial era Belmont Plantation.

In 1856, a railroad was placed on a ridge that crossed the land of a local farmer by the name of John Franklin Moore. A small-scale planter, Moore set up a depot on his land, and encouraged others to help establish a small village on the location in the late 1850s. The little village, known as "Moore's Siding", was born. The Civil War hampered developments, with the railroad tracks being removed to aid the Confederate efforts in Virginia. After the war, the tracks were returned, and Moore's Siding slowly began to prosper.

Shortly after the Civil War, John Franklin Moore saw the need for the village to incorporate into a town. The town was incorporated as Mooresville in 1873. Moore helped to establish the first brick factory in Mooresville, and built some of the first brick buildings on Main Street. He died in 1877, and his wife, Rachel Summrow Moore, continued the development of the town.

In 1883 the railroad lines were run back through the town with the addition of a new depot. The railroad brought growth to the town, which continued with the addition of the first water plant in the early 1890s, the establishment of a library in 1899, a phone company in 1893 and the first of many textile mills in 1900.

In 1938, artist Alicia Weincek painted the mural North Carolina Cotton Industry in the town's post office, having won a WPA competition for the commissioned work. The Mooresville Moors were a minor league baseball team who played in the Class D North Carolina State League from 1937 to 1942. The league ceased operations for two seasons due to World War II but was reorganized in 1945.

Selma Burke, a prominent sculptor during the Harlem Renaissance who was born and raised in Mooresville, created the bust of President Franklin D. Roosevelt for the Four Freedoms plaque on the Recorder of Deeds building in Washington, D.C. The bust would later be used for the image on the United States dime.

On December 11, 2014, Duke Energy, to repair a rusted, leaking pipe, received approval from North Carolina to dump coal ash (containing arsenic, lead, thallium and mercury, among other heavy metals) from the Marshall Steam Station 10 mi west of Mooresville into Lake Norman.

On October 3, 2015, Duke reported that a sinkhole had formed at the base of the Marshall Steam Station dam on Lake Norman. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) says Duke placed a liner in the hole and filled it with crushed stone.

Geography
Mooresville is located in southern Iredell County. Interstate 77 passes through the western side of the town, with access from Exits 31 through 36. I-77 leads south to the South Carolina border and north to the Virginia line. Statesville, just to the north, is the county seat. Lake Norman, on the Catawba River, is 3 to 8 mi west of the town center. Mooresville is located 27 miles north of Charlotte and 16 miles south of Statesville.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Mooresville has a total area of 54.3 km2, of which 54.2 km2 are land and 0.1 km2, or 0.24%, are water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 50,193 people, 14,233 households, and 9,866 families residing in the town.

2000 census
In the 2000 census, there were 18,823 people, 7,139 households, and 5,082 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,281.6 PD/sqmi. There were 7,741 housing units at an average density of 527.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 81.54% White, 14.23% African American, 0.36% Native American, 1.66% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.55% of the population.

There were 7,139 households, out of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.7% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 34.3% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $42,943, and the median income for a family was $51,011. Males had a median income of $39,524 versus $24,939 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,549. About 5.6% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.5% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture
Mooresville is branded as "Race City USA". The town is home to more than 60 NASCAR teams and racing-related businesses, as well as an IndyCar team. Mooresville features two automotive museums: the Memory Lane Motorsports and Historical Automotive Museum, and the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame. The Mooresville Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official resource for travelers.

Historic districts
In addition to a number of historic sites including Mount Mourne Plantation, Johnson-Neel House, Cornelius House, and Espy Watts Brawley House, Mooresville is home to the following historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
 * Mooresville Historic District, which includes much of the downtown commercial district;
 * Mooresville Mill Village Historic District, a residential area near the former mill site; and
 * South Broad Street Row, a district of older homes, some now in commercial use, near downtown.

Government
The town of Mooresville is run in a Commission-Manager style of municipal government with the Town Manager being Randy Hemann. The Mooresville Board of Commissioners is presided by Mayor Miles Atkins and can be presided over by Mayor Pro Tempore and Ward 4 Commissioner Lisa Qualls in the event of Atkins’ absence.

Public schools
Schools located in Mooresville operated by Mooresville Graded School District include:

 * East Mooresville Intermediate School
 * Mooresville High School
 * Mooresville Intermediate
 * Mooresville Middle
 * Park View Elementary
 * Rocky River Elementary
 * Selma Burke Middle
 * South Elementary

Schools located in Mooresville operated by Iredell-Statesville Schools include:

 * Coddle Creek Elementary
 * Lake Norman Elementary
 * Lakeshore Elementary
 * Shepherd Elementary
 * Woodland Heights Elementary

Charter schools

 * Pine Lake Preparatory School (Charter School)
 * Langtree Charter School

Community college
Mooresville is the location of a campus of Mitchell Community College, whose main campus is in Statesville.

Transportation and highways
The following highways pass through or around Mooresville:
 * - passes through the western side of Mooresville.
 * - passes through the western side of Mooresville, running parallel to I-77 approximately one mile east of I-77
 * - passes through downtown Mooresville. The number is in recognition of the late NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, whose car number was 3.
 * - passes through downtown Mooresville
 * - passes through the northern side of Mooresville
 * - passes through downtown Mooresville
 * - passes through the northeastern side of Mooresville

Exit 36 from Interstate 77 provides access to NC 150 and downtown Mooresville. Exits 33 and 42 from Interstate 77 provide access to US 21, while Exit 42 also connects with NC 115. Exits 31 (Langtree Road) and 35 (Brawley School Road) also connect I-77 with Mooresville.

The I-77 Express Lanes begin at Exit 36, and continue south through the Mecklenburg County towns of Davidson, Cornelius and Huntersville before terminating in Uptown Charlotte.

Lake Norman Airpark
Lake Norman Airpark is located on the edge of Lake Norman and is 5 miles northwest of downtown Mooresville, offering a 3100 ft runway. A thriving "fly-in community", Lake Norman Airpark is home to almost 50 lots. Tie-downs and fuel are available. The airport is owned by the surrounding Lake Norman Airpark Owners Association.

Notable people

 * Greg Anderson, four-time NHRA pro stock champion
 * Greg Biffle, NASCAR driver
 * Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver
 * Nicole Briscoe, ESPN host
 * Ryan Briscoe, INDYCAR driver
 * Selma Burke, sculptor/artist
 * Kurt Busch, NASCAR driver
 * Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver
 * Dale Earnhardt, NASCAR Hall of Famer
 * Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR driver and NASCAR Hall of Famer
 * Jeffrey Earnhardt, NASCAR driver
 * Kerry Earnhardt, NASCAR driver
 * Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver
 * Suellen Evans, college student and murder victim
 * Jeff Gordon, retired NASCAR driver
 * Matt Gould, racing driver
 * Tanner Gray, NHRA pro stock driver and NASCAR driver
 * Hayes Grier, social media personality
 * Nash Grier, social media personality
 * Will Grier, professional quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers
 * Dan Jansen, retired speed skater
 * Michael Jordan, basketball legend’s new NASCAR team, 23XI Racing, has its base in Mooresville.
 * Kasey Kahne, NASCAR driver
 * Joel Kauffman, NASCAR driver
 * Brad Keselowski, NASCAR driver
 * David Levine, ARCA and NASCAR driver
 * Jason Line, three time NHRA pro stock champion, 1993 NHRA Stock Eliminator Champion
 * Joey Logano, NASCAR driver
 * John J. Mack, investment banker
 * Olindo Mare, kicker
 * J. B. Mauney, bull rider for the PBR association
 * Jack Melchor, venture capitalist
 * John Franklin Moore (1822–1877), founder of Mooresville
 * Melissa Morrison-Howard, track hurler, two-time Olympic bronze medalist
 * Joe Nemechek, NASCAR driver
 * John Hunter Nemechek, NASCAR driver and son of Joe Nemechek
 * Thomas O'Keefe, musician
 * Julius Peppers, defensive end, formerly of the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers
 * Jim Popp, General Manager 5-time Grey Cup Champion Canadian Football League
 * Will Power, INDYCAR driver
 * Riki Rachtman MTV TV Radio host
 * Charles Robinson, WWE referee
 * Reed Sorenson, NASCAR driver
 * Ricky Steamboat, former professional wrestler
 * Guenther Steiner, former Team Principal of the Haas F1 Formula One team
 * J.R. Sweezy, NFL Offensive Guard
 * Forrest Thompson, former Major League Baseball pitcher
 * Curt White, former Olympic weightlifter

Sister city
Mooresville has one sister city, as designated by Sister Cities International:
 * 🇩🇪 Hockenheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany – home of the Hockenheimring, a well-known racetrack. This relationship was started and led in 2002 by Mooresville Senior High School German teacher, Audrey McCulloh.

title: Mooresville, North Carolina


text:
Statesville, North Carolina

Statesville is a city in and the county seat of Iredell County, North Carolina, United States, and it is part of the Charlotte metropolitan area. Statesville was established in 1789 by an act of the North Carolina Legislature. The population was 28,419 at the time of the 2020 census.

History
In 1753, Scots-Irish Presbyterians and German Lutherans, who had originally settled in Pennsylvania, began arriving in what would become Statesville in 1789 to plant crops in the fertile soil where game and water were also plentiful. The settlement, known as Fourth Creek Congregation, was named for the freshwater stream running to the north of the present-day city center, the fourth creek west of the neighboring settlement of Salisbury. The center of the settlement was a log cabin where the Presbyterians worshiped and where the First Presbyterian Church is located today.

In 1755, colonial governor Arthur Dobbs authorized the construction of the colony's frontier fort, which was located approximately 3 mi due north of the Fourth Creek settlement. Built and garrisoned by North Carolina provincial soldiers, Fort Dobbs defended British North America's western frontier in the colony of North Carolina during the French and Indian War and Anglo-Cherokee War. Fort Dobbs combined the functions of a military barracks, fortification, refuge for settlers, provisioning depot and center for negotiations with Native Americans.

The state legislature divided Rowan County in 1788, and the new county was named "Iredell" for James Iredell, associate justice of the first Supreme Court during the presidency of George Washington.

One year later, the legislature selected a spot for the county seat. The Fourth Creek Congregation was chosen, and the settlement became known as "Statesville". The 1800 US Census lists the town as "States Ville", which was later combined as "Statesville". In 1800, there were 95 inhabitants in "States Ville", including 68 free white persons and 27 slaves. As early as 1833, Statesville's leaders began laying track for railroads to connect the Piedmont area of North Carolina with the rest of the country.

By 1858, Statesville was growing rapidly and soon afterward began leading the state in the production of tobacco and tobacco products, the manufacture and blending of whiskey, and became a large distribution center for roots and herbs.

On August 27, 1891, a passenger train derailed on the Bostian Bridge, a 300 ft bridge, and seven cars fell down. About 30 people died in the accident.

Geography
Statesville is in central Iredell County, in the western part of the Piedmont region of North Carolina.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Statesville has a total area of 63.1 sqkm, of which 62.8 sqkm are land and 0.3 sqkm, or 0.48%, are water. The north side of Statesville is drained by Fourth Creek, while the south side is drained by Third Creek. Both creeks flow east, joining just before reaching the South Yadkin River near Cooleemee.

Climate
Statesville has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) like most of the state of North Carolina, although its higher elevation leads to cooler temperatures than much of the Piedmont. Summers are generally hot and humid, with mild nights, while winters are usually cool with chilly nights and sporadic snowfall. Severe thunderstorms can be an issue during summer, with wind speeds of 60 mph and even gusts of 95 mph being recorded during these storms.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 28,419 people, 10,628 households, and 6,536 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 24,633 people, 9,338 households, and 5,957 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,195.8 PD/sqmi. There were 10,041 housing units at an average density of 489.1 /sqmi. The racial composition of the city was: 59.94% White, 31.87% Black or African American, 7.11% Hispanic or Latino American, 2.71% Asian American, 0.18% Native American, 0.02% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, 3.84% some other races, and 1.42% two or more races.

There were 9,338 households, out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% were married couples living together, 17.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% 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 city, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,925, and the median income for a family was $41,694. Males had a median income of $31,255 versus $22,490 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,328. About 12.7% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.7% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.

Historic sites

 * Academy Hill Historic District
 * Center Street A.M.E. Zion Church, built in 1903
 * Congregation Emanuel is one of fewer than a hundred nineteenth-century synagogue buildings still standing in the United States.
 * East Broad Street–Davie Avenue Historic District
 * Fourth Creek Burial Ground, burials from 1759
 * Iredell County Courthouse, built in 1899
 * Key Memorial Chapel, also known as St. Philips Roman Catholic Church, built in 1898
 * Main Building, Mitchell College, built in 1854-1856
 * McElwee Houses, built in the late 1800s and early 1900s
 * Mitchell College Historic District, buildings dating from 1857 to 1930
 * Morrison-Mott House, built about 1904 to 1905
 * Col. Silas Alexander Sharpe House, built about 1860 or 1865
 * South Race Street Historic District, 85 buildings built in the late 1800s and early 1900s
 * Statesville Commercial Historic District, 54 buildings built between 1875 and 1925
 * Henry Turner House and Caldwell–Turner Mill Site, built about 1860
 * United States Post Office and County Courthouse, built in 1891

Museums
The Governor Zebulon Vance House and Museum is operated by the United Daughters of the Confederacy; Vance lived in the house at the end of the U.S. Civil War. Other museums include Iredell Museums, Heritage Museum, and The Children's Museum.

Sports
Statesville was home to a minor league baseball teams of various names, mainly the Statesville Owls, from 1939 until 1969. They played in several leagues over the years including the Tar Heel League (1939–1940), North Carolina State League (1942, 1947–1952), Western Carolina League (1960–1962), and Western Carolinas League (1963–1969). They were league champions in their respective league in 1940, 1948, and 1962. The field was located at Statesville Senior High School and thus named Senior High Stadium.

Education
The city is part of the Iredell–Statesville School District. Schools within the city limits include East Iredell Elementary, N.B. Mills Elementary, Oakwood Middle School, Pressly Elementary, and Statesville High School. Schools serving Statesville residents but located outside the city limits include Cloverleaf Elementary School, East Iredell Middle School, and Third Creek Elementary School.

Wayside Elementary School was an elementary school located off Salisbury Road in eastern Statesville. The current school building opened in 1941 and closed in 2002 when Wayside School and Alan D. Rutherford School merged to form Third Creek Elementary. The former Wayside building is currently home to the UAW 3520 headquarters, while the former Alan D. Rutherford site is home to the Iredell-Statesville Schools Administrative Annex, now known as the Alan D. Rutherford Education Building.

Statesville Christian School is a non-denominational K4–12 private school serving the greater Statesville area.

Mitchell Community College, founded as a Presbyterian women's college in 1852, is now a public community college. In the 2008–2009 academic year, it became the first community college in the United States to be accepted into NASA's University Student Launch Initiative competition.

Print

 * The Statesville Record & Landmark is Statesville's daily newspaper, primarily serving Iredell County. It is published seven days a week.

Radio

 * WAME, "Real Country 550 & 92.9" is an AM/FM station at 550 kHz and 92.9 mHz that plays classic country music.
 * WSIC, 1400 AM & 100.7 FM, has a news-talk format.

In addition, the signals of many stations from the Charlotte area and Piedmont Triad region reach Statesville.

Highways
Interstate 40 and Interstate 77 intersect in the northeastern part of the city, and US 21, US 64, and US 70 run through the center of Statesville.

Notable people

 * Gair Allie (1931–2016), former Major League Baseball player
 * Julianne Baird (born 1952), soprano singer
 * Breon Borders (born 1995), NFL defensive back
 * Hayne D. Boyden (1897–1978), Naval aviator and Brigadier general, USMC
 * Johnny Chapman (born 1967), stock car racing driver
 * Mildred Stafford Cherry (1894–1971), First Lady of North Carolina
 * Louis "Pinky" Clarke (1901–1977), Olympic gold medal winner in 4x100 m relay at 1924 Summer Olympics
 * Chris Cole (born 1982), professional skateboarder
 * Blake Crouch (born 1978), author and producer
 * Jake Crum (born 1991), driver in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
 * Mark Davidson (born 1961), former outfielder for the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros
 * Jerome Henderson (born 1969), NFL cornerback
 * Columbus Vance Henkel, Jr. (1908–1971), five-term North Carolina Senator; editor of "The Blowing Rocket"
 * Rockie Lynne (born 1964), country music artist
 * Danny Malboeuf (born 1960), visual artist combining surrealism with other genres
 * Thomas Marshburn (born 1960), NASA astronaut
 * Barry Moore (born 1943), former Major League Baseball pitcher
 * Justin Moose (born 1983), professional soccer player
 * Ryan Newman (born 1977), NASCAR driver
 * William Stevens Powell (1919–2015), historian, author, teacher, and librarian known for his extensive work on the history of North Carolina, lived in Statesville
 * Stephen C. Reber, Archbishop of the United Episcopal Church of North America
 * William Sharpe (1742–1818), lawyer, politician, American Revolution patriot, and a delegate to the Continental Congress
 * Mike Skinner (born 1957), NASCAR driver
 * Vinson Smith (born 1965), NFL linebacker
 * Herm Starrette (1936–2017), former Major League Baseball pitcher and coach
 * T.M. Stikeleather (1848–1934), populist representative in 1894 and 1900 for the 27th district, which included Iredell, Davie and Yadkin counties
 * Theodore Taylor (1921–2006), writer
 * Jared Watts (born 1992), Major League Soccer player

title: Statesville, North Carolina


text:
Troutman, North Carolina

Troutman is a town in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. The town is located roughly 35 mi north of Charlotte. As of the 2020 census the town's population was 3,698. Due to substantial residential growth in the area, as well as neighborhood annexation, the town is experiencing dramatic population growth. Approved residential developments, when completed, are forecast to increase town population to more than 11,000 residents.

History
The Davidson House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Geography
Troutman is located in south-central Iredell County. U.S. Route 21 passes through the center of the town, leading north 6 mi to Statesville, the county seat, and south 10 mi to Mooresville. Interstate 77 passes 3 mi east of the town, with access from Exit 42.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 13.9 km2, of which 0.07 sqkm, or 0.50%, are water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,698 people, 995 households, and 707 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,592 people, 638 households, and 449 families residing in the town. The population density was 765.5 PD/sqmi. There were 695 housing units at an average density of 334.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 70.73% White, 28.02% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.31% of the population.

There were 638 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $41,786, and the median income for a family was $47,569. Males had a median income of $31,071 versus $22,813 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,261. About 5.2% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Jim Lauderdale, singer-songwriter
 * Josh Richeson, NASCAR driver

title: Troutman, North Carolina


text:
Cashiers, North Carolina

Cashiers is a census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated village located in southern Jackson County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, the community had a total population of 657, up from 157 at the 2010 census. Cashiers is pronounced KASH-erz locally, and is one of several communities in the area popular with tourists and owners of vacation homes.

The village is at the crossroads of U.S. Route 64 (US 64) and North Carolina Highway 107 (NC 107), which connects to Highlands, Rosman, Sylva, and Walhalla.

History
The establishment of Cashiers begins with two men: Barak Norton, the first white settler in Whiteside Cove, and Colonel John Zachary, who with his talented sons was responsible for the area's economic and civic development. Barak Norton came to the area around 1820, and the land he claimed in the area, including a gold mine, would eventually become Cashiers main business district. Colonel John Zachary came to the area in 1833 and by 1836 received a 640 acre state land grant, plus two 100 acre land grants adjoining the 640 acre. The Zachary family setup several businesses including general store and sawmill, and provided trade skills including brick mason, hatter, and carpenter.

Several stories exist where the name Cashiers came from, including a racehorse, steer, or mule named Cash or a hermit living in the area with the name. However, it is concluded that the Zachary Family came up with the name related to their accounting work for individual gold miners in the area, being the "cashier". In 1839, Jonathan Zachary, the youngest son of the family, applied to become the first postmaster for, what he called, "Cashiers Valley;" this would later be changed to Cashiers in 1881.

In 1851, the first Post Office was established. In 1855, the Zachary Family sold land to Wade Hampton II, in what later became the High Hampton Inn.

In 1927, Cashiers received a town charter from the state, but has since become inactive with no acting government body. In 2003, the North Carolina General Assembly passed local legislation allowing Cashiers to re-incorporate, but this was turned down by a vote of 161 to 302 in a local referendum on August 12. The Jackson County government set up a special zoning council for Cashiers in response; operated by the county, it covers what would normally be done by a municipality.

Five properties near Cashiers are listed on the National Register of Historic Places—Camp Merrie-Woode, the Church of the Good Shepherd, Fairfield Inn, the High Hampton Inn Historic District, and the Mordecai Zachary House.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the community has a total area of 1.1 sqmi, all land.

Cashiers and the nearby towns of Highlands, Glenville, and Sapphire comprise a popular mountain vacation area near the southern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the easternmost front of the Appalachian Mountains. Cashiers is surrounded by scenic views, waterfalls and Nantahala National Forest lands. Visitors and vacation home owners from all over the southeast enjoy hiking, mountain biking, golf and fly fishing during the warm months of the year.

The United States Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy have both worked to protect several natural areas near Cashiers, including biologically diverse Panthertown Valley, Whitewater Falls, and the Tuckaseegee River Gorge. The Chattooga River also rises near Cashiers.

Climate
Cashiers receives an average of 87.57 inches of precipitation annually, over 7.25 inches a month, making it one of the rainiest places in the eastern United States. It is also one of the coolest places in the mountains, with an average daily July temperature of 78 degrees.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 196 people, 96 households, and 48 families residing in the community. The population density was 182.0 PD/sqmi. There were 182 housing units at an average density of 169.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the community was 98.98% White, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.51% of the population.

There were 96 households, out of which 15.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were married couples living together, 3.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.0% were non-families. 39.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% 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 2.76.

In the community, the population was spread out, with 14.3% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 36.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females, age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.

The median income for a household in the community was $37,500, and the median income for a family was $51,458. Males had a median income of $26,339 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $22,845. None of the families and 4.2% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under 18s and 15.2% of those over 64.

title: Cashiers, North Carolina


text:
Cullowhee, North Carolina

Cullowhee is a census-designated place (CDP) in Jackson County, North Carolina, United States. It is located on the Tuckasegee River, and the permanent population was 7,682 at the 2020 census up from 6,228 at the 2010 census.

The community is the home of Western Carolina University, part of the University of North Carolina System. Developing from a high school and normal school, it has 12,000 students and has become a strong influence in community life. The Jackson County Airport is located just outside the CDP limits.

The present community developed at the site of a historic Cherokee town, which was centered around the earthwork Cullowhee Mound. The name was long thought to mean "Valley of the Lilies." In fact, it is derived from the Cherokee phrase joolth-cullah-wee, which translates as "Judacullah's Place." Judacullah, a giant warrior and hunter who the Cherokee believe lived in the area, is an important figure in their religion and culture.

Geography
Cullowhee is located in central Jackson County in the valley of the Tuckasegee River. North Carolina Highway 107 runs through the community, leading north 6 mi to Sylva, the Jackson county seat, and southeast 7 mi to Tuckasegee.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Cullowhee CDP has a total area of 9.1 km2, all land.

Climate
Cullowhee typically has a rather mild winter season. In the summer, high temperatures can reach into the 90s Fahrenheit (32-plus degrees Celsius).

History
Developed along a mountain river valley and by a creek, Cullowhee was known as a historic Cherokee village centered around an earthwork platform mound estimated to have been built by 1000 CE by people of the South Appalachian Mississippian culture. Archeological evidence from excavations at Cullowhee Mound suggests that this area had been occupied since 3000 BCE by cultures of indigenous peoples. The historic Cherokee developed a style of public architecture characterized by building large town houses, or council houses, on top of the mounds. This was the center place for the community to gather, and the town elders to meet in council. It expressed the consensus nature of their society.

The Cherokee were forced to cede their land in this area in the early nineteenth century. When European-American settlers moved in, they occupied the site of the former Cherokee village. Cullowhee became one of the first European-American settlements in Jackson County. Residents reportedly founded the first school in the area, a one-room school in 1830. They developed the floodplain area for agriculture. The settlers cleared more land during the 1800s than the Cherokee had cultivated.

In 1883, Roland A. Painter founded Painter Post Office, located in his store on the Old Cullowhee Road. Other businesses clustered there. The post office was renamed as "Cullowhee" in 1908, taking over from another post office in the vicinity of nearby Forest Hills.

In 1889, Cullowhee High School was founded by Robert Lee Madison. It eventually developed as a normal school for teacher training. Later its offerings were expanded into a four-year college curriculum, and ultimately graduate departments supporting today's Western Carolina University.

The institution ceased to be named a high school in 1923. A new brick building was opened serving grades 1–11. In 1940, a massive flood caused severe damage to the business district, destroying almost all the buildings on the north side of the river. The buildings on the south side survived, though waterlogged. The flood crested at 21 ft above Cullowhee Dam, the highest on record.

Since then, dams have been built for flood control on the East and West forks of the Tuckasegee River. When the area rebuilt, buildings were developed on the higher ground around Old Cullowhee Road, and the area closer to the river floodplain was abandoned. The mid-century buildings have since become outdated, particularly compared to newer developments.

Businesses in the Old Cullowhee Road area declined in the late 20th century after it was bypassed by the relocation of highway N.C. 107 in the late 1970s to early 1980s. But, since the 1960s, the development of Western Carolina University has stimulated growth around its large campus. In the 21st century, the university has 12,000 students, and offers a variety of related sports and cultural programs. Cullowhee has also been a destination for retirees and people with second homes, resulting in new residential construction.

The university has proposed a new Town Center to incorporate some of its land. (See "Plans" below). Businessmen are also collaborating on revitalization of Old Cullowhee Road, and many new homes are being built or planned for the area.

As noted, the town has had a public school since 1923, which has been in four buildings. It has always been associated with teacher training at the college (and now university). It was established as Cullowhee Training School, serving until 1939. It was replaced by the McKee Training School, which served until 1964. Both of these buildings were located on what is now the university campus. From 1964 to 1994, the public school was known as Cordelia Camp Laboratory School, still associated with educational programs at the university. The Cullowhee Valley School is the latest structure holding the school, which now serves grades K-8. Students go to Sylva for high school.

The oldest surviving European-American structure in the area is St. David's in the Valley church, which was built in 1880. The Joyner Building and Judaculla Rock are each listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A Walton Family Foundation report ranked the Cullowhee micropolitan area (Jackson County) as number 13 in the United States. Reasons included the area's status as a tourist destination and " superior job growth, wage increases and young businesses."

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,682 people, 1,269 households, and 165 families residing in the CDP.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 6,228 people.

2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 716 households, and 272 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 983.1 PD/sqmi. There were 823 housing units at an average density of 226.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.91% White, 7.24% African American, 0.95% Native American, 1.34% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.31% of the population.

There were 716 households, of which 17.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.1% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 61.9% were non-families. Households made up of individuals represented 35.9%, and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.72.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 5.9% under the age of 18, 72.8% from 18 to 24, 11.0% from 25 to 44, 7.0% from 45 to 64, and 3.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years. Both the overall age distribution and the median age are driven by the presence of Western Carolina University. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $19,688, and the median income for a family was $36,538. Males had a median income of $26,161 versus $16,607 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $10,017. About 25.2% of families and 41.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.3% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Western Carolina University is a constituent campus of the University of North Carolina system. WCU is the fifth-oldest institution in the UNC system. It was founded in 1889 with a few hundred students in a small, one-story wood building. In the 21st century, it has more than 12,000 students, offering approximately 220 majors and concentrations for undergraduates, and more than 45 graduate-level programs of study. The campus covers approximately 600 acre and takes up much of the Cullowhee Valley.

It has created a Cherokee Studies program, including language immersion study, in collaboration with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the only federally recognized tribe in the state. It is based in Cherokee, North Carolina, at Qualla Boundary. WCU faculty have also worked with EBCI representatives on surveys of historic town and earthwork mound sites, to create a database of known resources; archeological and anthropological studies conducted with outreach to the Cherokee people to gain their perspective from tribal oral histories, and other programs. More than 50 platform mound sites have been identified in the eleven westernmost counties of North Carolina.

The public K thru 8 school, Cullowhee Valley School, opened in 1994. It replaced a 30-year-old structure on the University's Campus. Since 1988, when the town's high school closed, students of high school age attend Smoky Mountain High School in nearby Sylva.

Plans
Forest Hills, an incorporated village just south of Cullowhee, is considering a WCU plan to incorporate as the town/city of Cullowhee, annexing areas along Old Cullowhee Road and NC 107. The university plan proposes development around Old Cullowhee Road to create a traditional downtown, with mixed-use buildings, a city hall, homes, walkable neighborhoods, supermarket, and trails/parks along the river and throughout the area. The elementary school could be relocated here, as well as the Post Office and other town/city functions. A "town center" to be constructed on some 35 acre owned by WCU is an area targeted for annexation and development.

The plan is controversial, as it may attract business away from Old Cullowhee Road and would be intended to attract chain stores and businesses, rather than local small businesses. The "town center" is proposed to accommodate as much as 270000 ft2 of commercial, housing and multi-tenant office space, with parking for 871 vehicles. A 320-space parking garage is proposed on 22 acres of land owned by the university. The land is now the site of the Cordelia Camp Outreach Center (former Cordelia Camp Laboratory School, built in 1964), intramural fields, and several parking lots. The annexation will also include the area that is the business district on Old Cullowhee Road (S.R. 1002) near the former campus entrance.

An alternative vision for redevelopment is offered by the Cullowhee Revitalization Endeavor (CuRvE), made up of local businessmen and activists who also want to rejuvenate the once-thriving commerce center. CuRvE wants to make Cullowhee "a unique and highly attractive area—a mix of residences and businesses along rivers and streams". According to CuRvE, its vision has more community support than that the Western Carolina University "town center", because it would allow small businesses. In addition, it would make use of the setting of Old Cullowhee Road along a mountain river.

Notable people

 * Cal Raleigh, professional baseball player for the Seattle Mariners
 * Nick Searcy, actor

title: Cullowhee, North Carolina


text:
Dillsboro, North Carolina

Dillsboro is a town in Jackson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 232 at the 2010 census.

Dillsboro attracts tourists traveling to the Great Smoky Mountains. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad begins in Dillsboro and follows the Murphy Branch, constructed in the 1880s.

History
Dillsboro was founded when the Murphy Branch Railroad came to the area in the 1880s. In 1882, the first post office in the area opened. Called the Tunnel Post Office, it was named after the nearby Cowee Tunnel. In 1882, the postmaster, William Allen Dills, built a large home on a hill overlooking the Tuckasegee River, later the home of C.J. Harris and now The Riverwood Shops. The unincorporated village was called Depot, New Webster, and Webster Station until the state legislature had its name officially changed to Dillsboro when the village was incorporated as a town in 1889 to honor William Allen Dills, the town's founder (another source names George W. Dill, an early settler. ) One of the oldest buildings in the town dates to the 1870s, before the town was officially founded, now serving as a barber shop. The building is one floor and was built on Front Street when the town was largely farmland. In a relatively short time period, Dillsboro became a thriving town; by 1888, it was the most important town on the Murphy Branch of the Southern Railway in the areas of Industry, with two sawmills, two clay mines, a locust pin company, a corundum crushing plant, a chestnut pole yard, a chestnut corkwood yard, two livery stables, six general stores, a large hotel, and a shoemaker.

A rivalry existed between Sylva and Dillsboro in their early days, as the efforts of one town were matched by the other, and the two towns were very much alike, and the same distance from the then-county seat of Webster. But a flood in 1894 ended the milling operations of the Blue Ridge Lumber Company, and near the turn of the century, two back-to-back floods at a tannery construction site in Dillsboro caused C.J. Harris, the owner, to move the factory to the present site of the Jackson Paper Plant in Sylva.

Dillsboro's population has declined over the years, mostly due to little new housing being built in the town limits and the fact that many homes are now shops in the downtown area. Since 1975, when Wade W. Wilson became mayor due to many write-in votes, Dillsboro has made a successful effort to restore many older buildings in the town to their original appearance.

In 2012, the Dillsboro Dam and Powerhouse were demolished to restore the Tuckasegee River's ecosystem.

The Jarrett House and Elias Brendle Monteith House and Outbuildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Gertrude Dills McKee, first woman elected to the North Carolina State Senate, was a native of Dillsboro; she was the daughter of William Allen Dills.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.4 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 213 people, 112 households, and 53 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 205 people, 111 households, and 45 families residing in the town. The population density was 516.1 PD/sqmi. There were 126 housing units at an average density of 317.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 92.68% White, 0.98% African American, 3.41% Asian, and 2.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.98% of the population.

There were 111 households, out of which 15.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.3% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 58.6% were non-families. 54.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 34.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.85 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 16.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 31.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 66.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 59.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $18,750, and the median income for a family was $27,188. Males had a median income of $20,000 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,365. About 12.8% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under the age of eighteen and 30.9% of those 65 or over.

In popular culture
The train wreck scene in the movie The Fugitive (1993) was filmed on a portion of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Dillsboro.

title: Dillsboro, North Carolina


text:
Forest Hills, North Carolina

Forest Hills is a village in Jackson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 365 at the 2010 census. Formerly a neighborhood within nearby unincorporated Cullowhee, it became incorporated in 1997.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.5 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 330 people, 156 households, and 75 families residing in the village. The population density was 661.7 PD/sqmi. There were 182 housing units at an average density of 365.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 96.06% White, 2.42% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.30% from other races, and 0.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.21% of the population. Surveys indicate that Forest Hills residents think that a large Asian population will move to the village next.

There were 156 households, out of which 16.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 1.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.9% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.1% 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 2.69.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 13.9% under the age of 18, 27.9% from 18 to 24, 14.5% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $45,000, and the median income for a family was $64,375. Males had a median income of $38,750 versus $31,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $25,949. None of the families and 18.3% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

History
The area now known as Forest Hills was named for the late 19th-century home of David D. Davies; it was once part of the large estate that he acquired in 1855, buying 2000 acre. His property made up the territory of what is now a large part of the village.

Forest Hill was a large Victorian mansion built with a commanding view of the Cullowhee Valley. Later, the area became known as the Cox Farm, for a later owner. The mansion of Forest Hill was demolished in the 1980s, soon after developers began to construct housing here for the neighborhood to be known as Forest Hills.

Formerly, the Forest Hills Country Club occupied a large swath of land in the village, but this property is now mostly blighted and vacant. A motor lodge was built just above the middle of the golf course. This facility also rents some apartments to students.

title: Forest Hills, North Carolina