Hype for the Future 100I: The Hydrological Definition of the High Country

Overview

Hydrologically, the High Country of the State of North Carolina shall be defined as the extent of the New River Valley, including all forks and branches of the New River, located within the State of North Carolina.

Hype for the Future 100G: Ashe County, North Carolina

Introduction

Ashe County is located at the northwestern corner of the State of North Carolina, with the Commonwealth of Virginia to the north and the State of Tennessee to the west. The county is deeply embedded within the Great Smoky Mountains and is a popular vacation and retiree destination located within the higher elevations of the region, especially attractive to visitors from Florida, Georgia, and the lower elevations of the Carolinas.

Communities

While the Town of Jefferson is the county seat of Ashe County, the resort town of West Jefferson provides the vast majority of the cultural features associated with the area. Today, the Town of West Jefferson contains such cultural traits as the R T Morgan Art Gallery, the Catch Light Gallery, the Originals Only Gallery, and the Ashe Arts Center. To the east of the primary communities is the New River State Park, with the upper New River remaining a point of cultural significance throughout the region otherwise known as the High Country.