People & Points of Interest in Ashe County

Ashe County, in the very uppermost western part of North Carolina, is well-known for its wonderful scenic mountain vistas and thousands of acres covered in Fraser fir trees – one of which traditionally winds up in the nation’s

capitol each year. 

But, what about the lesser-known features of this wonderfully rural area, where you can still get a Blue Plate Special for lunch or catch a Mason jar full of fireflies on a cool mountain evening?

Ashe County is made up of small, century-old communities, where family names attached to road signs still honor the traditions and

culture of the county.

Let's explore some of the reasons we say that Ashe County is well-known for its culture, sense of community and its growing commerce.

Jefferson is the county seat and boasts a beautiful courthouse currently undergoing restoration.  A new museum, The Museum of Ashe County History, will soon be housed in the revamped courthouse, and now occupies quarters across Main Street.

West Jefferson is the most densely populated part of the county (with just over 1,100 people).  It boasts many shops and art galleries, along with several downtown murals. It is also home to City Shoe Shop, owned by D.G. Stout – a truly old-fashioned cobbler who has been in business for the past 50 years. 

Other features of interest include the active Farmers Market on Wednesdays and Saturday in season, where local farmers and craftspeople still sell their wares from the back of pick-up trucks.  And, of course, the famous Ashe County Cheese plant, where fresh cheese is made with milk from local dairies.  Tour the plant and then drop into their wonderful gift shop

across the street!

Glendale Springs is home to one of the county’s two Churches of the Frescoes.  Painted by world-renowned artist Ben Long, the artwork beautifully integrates with the century-old Episcopal chapel and grounds surrounding it.  Other points of interest include the Glendale Springs Inn, where President Clinton lunched in 1998, and Greenhouse Crafts, featuring unique regional and local gift items.  Another point of interest is the Creekhouse Garden Gallery just outside Jefferson.

Todd, NC, is in the southern part of the county and is a redeveloping area best known for its Friday night bluegrass and Celtic music jam sessions, held year-round.  Area musicians gather around the old-fashioned pot-bellied stove in the Todd General Store on Friday nights to pick and grin, and folks from all over the country have been known to drop in.

Grassy Creek community is home to Shatley Springs Inn, where home cooking is at its best.  If you leave there hungry, it’s your own fault, as the locals say!  On your way back from a Shatley Springs lunch, stop by Burnt Hill Stables, where horseback riding on scenic mountain trails is their specialty.

Many of Ashe County’s best-kept secrets can be found by visiting the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center, located at 303 East Second Street in West Jefferson, NC.  Call us at 336-877-5190 or visit us online at www.ashechamber.com.