Small Town America West Jefferson in Ashe County North Carolina
Small Town America West Jefferson in Ashe County North Carolina
| ||
|
West Jefferson is located in northwestern North Carolina among the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area the Town is located in is known for the New River, its spectacular views, the close proximity to the Bue Ridge Parkway, cultural arts, traditional Appalachian mountain music, and its beautiful fraser fur Christmas Trees. The County of Ashe, where West Jefferson is located, borders both Tennessee and Virginia. Driving time to Boone, home of Appalachian State University, is approximately thirty to forty-five minutes. In relation to other major cities, driving time is one and a half hours either to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Galax, Virginia, Tri-Cities region of Tennessee and Charlotte, North Carolina. An active arts community thrives in West Jefferson, NC. The town itself has been transformed into an arts and restaurant district with unique shops and antique malls.  MOUNTAIN TV GUIDE VIDEOWest Jefferson, Ashe County NC |  |
|
| ||
|
West Jefferson was incorporated as a city in 1909, and it is the second-oldest incorporated town in Ashe County. West Jefferson has the distinction of having the only cheese factory in the eastern United States. For many decades West Jefferson was served by the Norfolk and Western Railroad, better known as the "Virginia Creeper". The railroad was the primary reason for the creation of West Jefferson, as the town became a major stop on the railway. With the decline of the railroad and the loss of textile factory jobs to foreign markets, West Jefferson's economy is increasingly devoted to the tourism industry. The town's location in the Appalachian Mountains has led to a large number of tourists visiting the area each year, and many out-of-state tourists have begun to build cabins and housing developments around the town. |  | |
| ||
|
Downtown West Jefferson in North Carolina is definitely small town america with many unique tourist and local based businesses such as restaurants, art galleries, cheese plant, clothing stores, real estate offices, the ashe county chamber and visitor's center, christmas stores, retail gift shops, coffee shops and cafes, and much more. The town also has a walking mural tour, or see some of them while driving through downtown West Jefferson main street. During the Summer the town and ther Ashe County Arts Council puts on a variety of concerts on backstreet as well as selling local produce in the farmer's market aslo on backstreet. One of the biggest festivals in the area is the Christmas in July festival celebrating the main export of the county and state, frasir fur christmas trees. | | |
| ||
|
Mount Jefferson rises abruptly to more than 1,600 feet above the surrounding landscape, serving as a landmark for area motorists. Acquaint yourself with this mighty peak by viewing it first from the Mount Jefferson Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Rising as a long, forested prominence, its dark color is conspicuous among neighboring peaks on the Ashe plateau. Though the mountain is magnificent from a distance, Mount Jefferson is best appreciated up close. On a clear day, you can see for miles from its peak. A great part of Ashe County spreads out below; fields, farms, forests and mountains mingle in kaleidoscopic patterns. On the horizon, the Blue Ridge Mountains form a striking backdrop. Yet what looms in the distance is no more spectacular than what is right before your eyes, for the forests of Mount Jefferson are a botanical paradise. The interesting and unusual plant life of the park rendered it worthy of designation as a national natural landmark. |  | |
| ||
|
The New River, located in the Appalachian mountains of
|  | |
| ||
|
Visit North Carolina's first original theme park, and experience the days of the wild west. Climb aboard the historic steam locomotive train for an unforgettable three-mile journey through the scenic Blue Ridge mountains of Blowing Rock North Carolina. Tweetsie Railroad also has amusement rides for all ages and live entertainment throughout the park; such as the musical show Can-Can girls at the Palace Saloon, or ride the chair lift to Miner's Mountain where you can pan for gold, feed the animals at the Deer Park, and have what they call "old-fashioned fun". Tweetsie Railroad is a unique attraction that allows children and families to explore their imaginations and a whole lot more. |  | |
| ||
|
This area is known as the Christmas Tree Capital! Bring your family and start a new Christmas tradition and create special memories that last a lifetime; spend the day roaming the Christmas tree fields in search of the perfect tree. Ashe County is the perfect place to choose-n-cut your special Christmas tree in the High Country. The Fraser Fir is the dominant tree grown in Ashe County. Fraser Firs are prized as Christmas trees because of their aroma, shape, dark green color, excellent needle retention and strong branches capable of carrying heavy ornaments. allows you and your family to spend the day roaming the Christmas tree fields in search of the perfect tree. After you choose your Fraser Fir Christmas Tree, we will cut and haul it back to the farm entrance to bale, cut and load it onto your vehicle. |  | |
| ||
|
Christmas in July is a one-day-only, free-admission event featuring the very best in traditional mountain music and handmade crafts from throughout the Northwest Mountains of North Carolina.. Nowhere else will you find such an excellent array of food, fun and festivities for the entire family than at Christmas in July! We are one of the best, old-fashioned summer festivals in the south, drawing more than 20,000 visitors in one day, with more than 20 mouth-watering food vendors, juried crafts, fantastic children’s activities, foot-stompin’ bluegrass music and more! |  | |
| ||
|
Visit the Todd General Store and recapture a time when life was simple and genuine. Located on the scenic Railroad Grade Road, Todd General Store is a destination for all outdoor enthuasists. Meet the mountain folks and listen to talks of the railroad days when Todd was the largest town in both Watauga and Ashe Counties in the North Carolina mountains. It's a perfect place for food; lunch at our famous deli and dinner Tuesday nite Storytelling and Friday Nite Music, drinks, collectibles as well as a rest and chat with Gini and Bob Mann. The Todd General Store features a deli, crafts, home-made jellies, ice cream, antiques, collectibles, music and tapes, rustic furnishings and local author books. Seasonal outside dining on the front or back porches are great locations for the homemade dinners on Tuesday and Friday nights. |  | |
| ||
|
The Ashe County arts council was formed in 1977. It has existed since that time as a community based to use the arts as a vehicle for affecting many good things with in Ashe County. Its overall mission is to enrich the cultural heritage of the region through the arts. The arts Council is involved in all types of art in many forms; visual arts, performing arts, cultural arts, literary arts and just about everything in between. The Ashe Arts Council operates the gallery of the Ashe Arts Center located in West Jefferson and in that gallery space the exhibits change every six weeks and portray eight to ten different art exhibits each year. It is a mix of two-dimensional and three-dimensional art both fine art and craft. We specfically focus on local and regional artists in providing them the opportunity to show case their work. |  | |
| ||
|
The Ashe Arts Council operates the Ashe Arts Center in downtown West Jefferson which is a town onwed building WPA project built in 1938. The Ashe Arts Council is also contracted to operate the Ashe Civic Center which is a county owned building. The Ashe civic Center is a 300 seat theater space and is the home of the Ashe County Little Theatre where the majority of the performing arts are held in this space. Ranging from an symphony orchestra concert to a comedian to a one person drama presentation to blue grass folk music, local beauty pageants, local radio show, and lots of other community based events happen at the Ashe Civic Center. |  | |
| ||
|
Ashe County Farmers Market is aplace in West Jefferson on Back Street where you can find home grown, hand made in Ashe County produce, farm fresh eggs, candies, pastries, vegetables, flowers, fresh herbs, arts, crafts, baked goods, jams, jellies, vinegars, photography, relishs, pies and cakes, culinary vinegars and locally raised lamb, poultry, goat, beef, pork and more. The Ashe County Farmer's Market falls on Saturdays from 8:00am-1:00pm (April 12- December 13). The Ashe County Farmer's Market is one of a very few Markets in the Country where everything has to be grown or crafted by the vendors and all in Ashe County. During your visit talk to the farmers that grow the local food. |  | |
| ||
|
The school is on 10.3 acres just off Trading Post Road, in Glendale Springs. The site has a motel, a restaurant, and other buildings; all are being renovated for classroom, administration, and dormitory use. The campus itself, spread open to the south and the sun, is in a beautiful setting—a large pond, meadows, many trees, gentle hills, a wonderful view into the distance. Many artisans travel and stay in the comforts of the school setting to take the many art classes offered at the art school. The Paul and Florence Thomas Memorial Art School, Inc., a private foundation, was created by Florence Thomas upon her death in 2007. It is a long name for a school and “Florence” is the nickname chosen by many. |  | |
| ||
|
Scenic, optical illusions and natural phenomenon; a remarkable defiance of gravity where you can see a ball roll uphill, and where folks are pulled from an upright position to an uncanny standing angle of nearly 45°. This strange phenomenon has been amusing and puzzling visitors to Mystery Hill for generations. Since there is a variety of things to see and do. Mystery Hill is a family fun center that offers fun for children an adults of all ages .You'll find a hall full of puzzles, hands-on experiments and optical illusions at The Hall of Mystery. Exhibits are based on physics and other science and math theories. Leave your shadow on the wall and at the Bubble-Rama exhibit, encapsulate a friend in a bubble. The Spooky Spigot, Magic Lightbulb, Hologram and The Flying Mirror are all in the Hall of Mystery. You'll enjoy the Hall of Mystery where you'll find exhibits that make you take a second look.At the same location you will find the American heritage museum that is now used to portray life in the late 1800's to early 1900's of middle class mountain families. There is also the Native artifacts museum housing over 50,000 pieces of authentic Native American artifacts is The Native American Artifacts Museum. Almost every time period of American Indian history is represented in this fascinating exhibit that took over 70 years to collect. From arrowheads and effigy pipes to bowls, celts and awls, this is one of the largest collections of its kind in North Carolina. At Mystery Hill Lane you and your family can find out about local history as well as have a good time for all who visit and experience this fun filled place in the mountains of Blowing Rock North Carolina. |   | |
| ||
|
Widely recognized as a historical landmark and becoming a household name to vacationers, The Mast General Store has nine locations all over the high country, including the original store located in Valle Crucis, North Carolina. The Mast General Store is a modeled after the general store concept from the 1800s when mountain settlers came to rely on general stores to keep them in touch and supplied. Since 1883, Mast General Store has played a key role in the community surrounding Valle Crucis its original store in a rural community. The Mast General Store sells commodities, such as old-time hearth and home goods, outdoor clothing and gear, footwear, work clothes, old-fashioned wind-up toys, regional books and music, honey, and more than 500 varieties of old-fashioned candy. |  | |
| ||
|
Come and discover this natural scenic wonderland located in
|  | |
| ||
|
Capture the spirit of the season for yourself, your family, and your friends this Christmas season in West Jefferson on the backstreet park and gazebo below the Library. Enjoy Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, Frosty the Snowman & Santa’s Elves giving away candy canes to the kids and taking pictures with the families making lasting memorable experiences. Don't miss out on your chance to ride an old fashioned West Jefferson fire truck aorund town. Many locals and tourists make a weekend out it and by visitng one of our christmas tree farms and choose n cut the perfect fraser fur christmas tree. Once you’ve found “just the right one,” we’ll cut it and wrap it for you – it is our way of sending a little bit of Hometown Christmas home with you. Downtown West Jefferson is decorated with street lights for the holidays. We will be serving chili and hot choclate, have christmas music playing, making balloon animals, christmas caroling, and the arrival of Santa Claus on a fire engine. Come and enjoy a hometown Christmas with refreshments, singing and good old fashioned fun. |  | |
| ||
|
While you are in West Jefferson North Carolina, whether you are religious or not you have to make it a point to stop at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on Beaver Creek School Road. This tiny white church boasts three of the famous frescoes paintings by artist Ben Long. The main mural painting is of Jesus on the cross with God above him. To view these beautiful wall paintings is worth the trip and a picture. About 20 minutes towards Glendale Springs from West Jefferson is another small white church, The Holy Trinity Church of the Frecoes. Another magnificent painting of the last supper of Jesus and his disciples. Both are open to the public at any time and accept donations to preserve these beautiful masterpieces. MOUNTAIN TV GUIDE VIDEOFrescoe Trail St Mary's Episcopal Church West Jefferson MOUNTAIN TV GUIDE VIDEOFrescoe Trail Holy Trinity Church in Glendale Springs NC |  | |
| ||
|
Ashe County Cheese is Carolina's oldest cheese plant, producing quality cheese since 1930. We are located in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains. Watch the fascinating process of cheese making from our viewing area and visit our cheese and gift shop. We sell over 20 varieties of original Ashe County Cheese as well as our own county butter, homemade fudge and everyone's favorite, fresh cheese curd. We also offer other fine cheeses, locally made wines and a variety of gifts, souvenirs and old fashioned snacks and candies. and though it still makes old style cheddar daisy wheels, it now produces a wide variety of cheeses and butter. It has developed a strong following for its original Sienna cheese, its many flavored cheeses, and its newest variety Juusto cheese (a mild Scandinavian cheese). |  | |
