In 1808, only seventeen years after
Buncombe County was formed, the southwestern portion was split off
to form Haywood County which, then, included what are now Jackson
and Macon Counties. As with most of the Western North Carolina
Mountain Counties, much of Haywood County is federal land, namely
Pisgah National Forest, the Blue Ridge Parkway and about hald of
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (the most popular of the
American National Parks). The county was named in honor of John
Haywood who was, at that time, Treasurer of North Carolina.
The Pigeon River, which has its source on the south slope of Black
Balsam Knob in southern Haywood County (just north of milepost 420
of the Blue Ridge Parkway). There are several waterfalls in the
area, the most popular of which is Yellowstone Falls (parking lot at
MP 418.8) reached by a trail of only moderate difficulty. If you
entered North Carolina from Tennessee by auto using Interstate 40,
you traveled through the famous Pigeon River Gorge.
Waynesville, the county seat, puts
on several very popular fairs but is probably the least
tourist-oriented city in the county. By contrast, Maggie Valley,
just to the northwest of Waynesville on US-19, is primarily tourist
oriented. Tourism is year-round in Maggie Valley; Cataloochee Ski
Area encourages tourism year-round. Other attractions are for the
warmer months: Ghost Town in the Sky, The Eaglenest, Carolina Nights
Dinner Theater and Diamond K Dance Ranch with their variety of music
venues.
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For those wishing to enjoy these beautiful mountains on
horseback, there is Cataloochee Ranch, Hemphill Mountain Campground,
Queen's Farm Riding Stables and Utah Mountain Riding Stables. If
you'd rather look at animals rather than ride them, there is the
Soco Gardens Zoo (which, by the way, is set in a beautiful array of
gardens). And, if you have dreams of finding the worlds largest
sapphire, drop by the Blue Ridge Gem Mine.
Asheville will probably be your launch point in your search for a
new home in this mountain paradise. In
WNC-Tour-Guide.com, our
sister web site, you
can let you computer mouse lead you to descriptions of the many
attractions and adventures Western North Carolina mountains have to
offer. Then via our directories of the real estate agencies in each
of our mountain counties, you can contact someone to learn what may
be available to meet your needs, desires and budget. Or, fill out
our simple form and we will
contact those agencies we feel may be best staffed to assist you in
your search. And, while you're looking, we have included links to
convenient, comfortable
hotels and motels any of which would delight
in being your host. And, yes, you can make instant, on-line
reservations and receive an immediate, printed confirmation.
Welcome to Haywood
County! |
