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Each of the 16 counties in our mountain paradise is
unique and Madison County is no exception. This county seems
to have three faces: Marshall (also the County Seat), Mars
Hill (home of Mars Hill College) and Hot Springs (almost
lost in its isolates area in the northwest). The building of
two freeways has greatly changed the character of Marshall
(connected to I-26 by the US-25 freeway). Mars Hill has had
the advantage of I-26 for many years but the extension of
I-26 to the Tennessee border has opened up the north end of
the county – including Wolf Laurel and its adjoining ski
resort – and heaped added importance on Mars Hill.
These freeways have expedited the settlement of the
adjoining areas by newcomers – especially retirees. Marshall
used to be accesses by the old US-25 which followed the
French Broad River. It was a pretty drive but inconvenient
to say the least. The area across the French Broad from
Walnut has become very attractive to newcomers and the old
farms are being carved up into residential lots.
Mars Hill College is responsible for creating the
vigorous character of Mars Hill. It is vibrant but well
under control. I-26 makes Asheville very convenient which is
very obvious when one views the traffic on I-26 during rush
hours.
Hot Springs – ah, that’s another story. US-25, from
Marshall to Hot Springs is a windy, though picturesque,
road. NC-209 which allows access to Hot Springs from
Waynesville in Haywood County is also windy and dangerous.
Hot Springs and its spas are a tourist attraction. Other
than that, year-round living is pretty much confined to Hot
Springs.
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The Wolf Laurel development has become very popular
especially with skiers when sufficient snow is in evidence.
While many of the houses are vacation dwellings, the number
of year-round residents has been increasing. In fact, Wolf
Laurel has one of the very few interchanges on the new I-26
extension. (Sams Gap, where the old US-23 crosses under the
new I-26 extension) does not have an interchange; shame!
To many, the Walnut-Marshall-Mars Hill area of Madison
County is a suburb of Asheville. While there is some
shopping at the Weaver Boulevard Interchange of I-26 in
Weaverville (which is about midway between Mars Hill and
Asheville, Asheville has the stores, restaurants and
entertainment and that’s where people go.
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.
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