Prior to its formation in 1849, Watauga County was a hunting ground for the Cherokee and part of the trail blazed by frontiersman Daniel Boone, for whom the county seat was later named. Primarily settled by whites after the Revolutionary War, many of the county's earliest families came to the Appalachians from the Piedmont region of North Carolina and, prior to that, from the North--New England, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. These settlers were mainly of European extraction--English, German, Scottish, Irish, Swiss, and Welsh--along with a smaller African representation. Nestled in the panoramic Blue Ridge Mountains and unimagined by its early agrarian inhabitants, Watauga would become one of North Carolina's premier tourist destinations and home to Appalachian State University. Primarily settled by whites after the Revolutionary War, many of the county's earliest families came to the Appalachians from the Piedmont region of North Carolina and, prior to that, from the North--New England, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. These settlers were mainly of European extraction--English, German, Scottish, Irish, Swiss, and Welsh--along with a smaller African representation. Nestled in the panoramic Blue Ridge Mountains and unimagined by its early agrarian inhabitants, Watauga would become one of North Carolina's premier tourist destinations and home to Appalachian State University.

"This book presents the history of Watauga County, North Carolina"--Provided by publisher.

A companion to Images of America: Washington County, this book, Washington County Revisited, depicts more of the area's rich history. In an attempt to thoroughly cover this county in Virginia, Washington County Revisited explores the history of settlements that were once major community centers, including Lodi, Blackwell's Chapel, Rich Valley, Lindell, Bethel, Taylor's Valley, Hayter's Gap, Clinchburg, and Alvarado. Learn even more of the fascinating history surrounding the railroad towns of Damascus, Glade Spring, and Meadowview. Officially formed in 1776 from Fincastle County, the county was named for Gen. George Washington, who was then serving as commander in chief of the Continental Army. Washington County holds the distinction of being the first geographical region to be named for the first U.S. president. With more than 200 images, Washington County Revisited provides a unique visit to this rural region that once served as a gateway to the West along the Great Wagon Road and saw thousands of settlers and goods pass through to uncharted lands.

After the publication of Images of America: Ashe County, requests poured in for a second volume. In response to this demand, the Ashe County Historical Society has compiled another collection of over 200 captivating black-and-white photographs along with historical information about this beloved corner of the High Country.Ashe County Revisited focuses on the distinctive geographical features of Ashe County and how the geography shaped the remarkable pioneers who settled the region. These hardy folk came from the relative security of the Piedmont and valleys of Virginia and North Carolina to a mountainous region dominated by 5,000-foot peaks, fertile bottomland, and vast stretches of timberland and meadowland. They forded the many streams feeding the two forks of the New River and carved roads around and through sheer granite walls. They mined ore from the mountains and felled vast timber resources before replanting the forests and developing new industries. The character of Ashe County reflects how these pioneers learned to live with the demands of the harsh mountainous environment. The residents of the county and their myriad accomplishments are celebrated once again in a stunning visual history.

Voted "the Prettiest Small Town in North Carolina" and often referred to as the Crown of the Blue Ridge, Blowing Rock is the highlight of the High Country. Named for a unique, natural feature itself, Blowing Rock has always represented a distinctive blend of natural and cultural heritage. The town was first developed as an early resort area, which grew quickly in the 1890s. Modern boardinghouses, hotels, and inns were the first significant businesses in Blowing Rock and helped the town survive--even flourish--during the Great Depression. Added attractions in the 1950s and 1960s made Blowing Rock a year-round vacation paradise for families, which it still is today. Yet the heart of Blowing Rock lies within its community and residents who make their small town a wonderful place to visit and an even better place to live.