McDowell County is unique culturally and topographically. Formed by legislative action in 1842 from Burke and Rutherford Counties, McDowell's northern and western borders trace the towering heights and rugged terrain of the Blue Ridge, while its eastern and southern borders incorporate broad river bottoms and lower hills of the Piedmont. Showcasing more than 220 images, this volume is a mosaic of McDowell County's first century and covers the towns of Marion and Old Fort, as well as smaller communities like Brackettown, Crooked Creek, Dyartsville, Glenwood, Greenlee, Little Switzerland, Montford's Cove, Nebo, and North Cove. Views of waterfalls on the Catawba River and Tom's Creek, along with those of the eerie limestone formations of Linville Caverns, attest to nature's bounty. Aging photographs, many of which are published for the first time, draw attention to families, churches, schools, memorable personalities, and historic sites. This collection also brings to life the county's defining events: the arduous construction of two railways through the mountains, the destruction of Marion by fire in 1894, the disastrous flood of 1916, the textile strike of 1929, and the patriotic response by the citizenry to national crises. Photographs of selected homes, commercial sites, churches, and schools testify to the diverse architectural style and levels of economic and social well-being found in the county.

These pages contain a wealth of information transcribed from obscure and fragile, original documents housed at the North Carolina State Archives. Every attempt has been made to transcribe the complete collection, including partial or fragmented documents.

Old Fort is situated near the headwaters of the mighty Catawba River, and in many ways it has also stood at the headwaters of American history--it takes its name from a fort that was the westernmost outpost of white settlement in America at the time of the American Revolution. After the Civil War, Old Fort was the base of operations for the extension of the railroad up the steep mountain grade to Ridgecrest, an accomplishment that is still considered a marvel of engineering and perseverance. A tract of wilderness in the Curtis Creek area was the first parcel of the Pisgah National Forest. The dedication of Old Fort's arrowhead monument in 1930 marked the first time that representatives of the Cherokee and Catawba tribes shared a peace pipe. More recently, one of the earliest acts of courage in the civil rights movement took place on the steps of Old Fort School. Old Fort showcases the rich heritage of this McDowell County town.