Civil War Roots - Beautiful Burnsville and Stunning Spruce Pine - our Historic Hometowns

THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN is surrounded by historic sites and cities. We are smack-dab in the middle of two cities that represent the beauty and heartbreak of the Civil War era. Just 10 minutes to the west is beautiful Burnsville, southern sympathizers in the War Between the States. To the east 10 minutes is stunning Spruce Pine, staunch Unionists. Loyalties to "the cause" still run deep in many of the generational families here. Tradition holds, the breathtaking beauty remains, and the difficult history has carved out unique niches and deep souls for these historic communities. The following is how the researchers of the Asheville Guidebook of WNC Cities describe our beloved hometowns.


"Located about halfway between Asheville and Boone, Burnsville is nestled among 19 of the highest mountains in the east. Nearby Mount Mitchell, at 6,684 feet, is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, and it is accompanied by 18 other peaks over 6,300 feet. The county seat of Yancey County, Burnsville was established in 1833, and has as many artisans and crafts persons per capita as any town in the United States, with nearly 400 full-time and 200 part-time residing in Yancey County. One of the wonderful traditions of the county is the work being done by quilters, basket makers, and other traditional crafts persons and artists. Burnsville is also home to the Yancey County Farmers' Market - one of the oldest and largest tailgate markets in western North Carolina, held on Saturday mornings behind the Burnsville Town Center.

The major festival is the Mount Mitchell Craft Fair, held every August on the beautiful town square of Burnsville. This great arts and crafts festival is one of the longest running in the mountains and has been held for over 50 years. Burnsville is also home to the historic and legendary Nu Wray Inn, also located on the town square", the Parkway Playhouse - NC's award-winning oldest continuously operating summer theater, the new state-of-the-art Yancey County Library, the founders of the world-wide Empty Bowl Project that has raised millions for hunger locally and internationally, the Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina (the owners of The Cove at Celo Mountain are the underwriters), the Carolina Mountain Literary Festival, and home of the Riddle Fest, honoring Leslie Riddle - musical genius behind the Carter/Cash family of Country/Western music fame. Burnsville is recognized as a progressive, diverse mountain town of unparalleled geographic beauty and a "salt-of-the-earth" populace comprised of multi-generational families and those who have retired or moved here for a simpler way of life.

Located in Mitchell County on the banks of the Toe River and just off the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 331, Spruce Pine is a vibrant mountain town with a past rich in gem mining history and lore. In the early 1900s, Spruce Pine was a booming mining town and the Clinchfield Railroad operated to bring materials and supplies to and from the growing community. Chartered in 1913, Spruce Pine was built around the Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Railroad Depot. The railroad is still going strong, and train enthusiasts continue today to come from far and wide to Spruce Pine to enjoy watching the frequent passage of CSX trains through the downtown area. Over 30 trains a day pass by, often blowing their horns in greeting.
Historically, the White House Christmas tree has come from the Spruce Pine region and with so many Christmas tree farms in the area, the town has appropriately become known as the Christmas Tree Capital of the World, a title it shares along with "The Mineral City". Located in a region of the mountains that is known for gem mines, Spruce Pine is famous for the world-class rubies and emeralds that have been found in local mines. The surrounding mountains have a more concentrated wealth of feldspar than any other area on earth, supplying 60% of the United States production of the mineral. Additionally, almost 100% of the United States and the world supply of ultra-pure quartz, which is used in the production of semi-conductors, comes from the Spruce Pine region.
Spruce Pine has the distinction of having two Main Streets, Upper Street (Oak Avenue) and Lower Street (Locust Street), with nicknames given because of respective altitudes. Spruce Pine’s also has two municipal parks -Riverside Park on Tappan Street with a wonderful walking path and access to the Toe River, and Brad Ragan Park on Laurel Creek Court." The chef of one of Spruce Pine's restaurants, Knife and Fork, just won the 2011 WNC Chef Challenge.

Fall in the Blue Ridge is not to be missed. Come study our history, explore our beauty, and admire the vision that has evolved from both. Call 866-378-4769 for a private appointment and special fall visit package to these hometowns and the sanctuary setting of THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN. The mountains are beckoning...

For more Asheville Guidebook information on Burnsville
For more Asheville Guidebook information on Spruce Pine