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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 life. The school’s teachers enable it to meet not only the special needs of Crossnore residents, but also the needs of area students who live at home and whose educational needs are best met at Crossnore.

The school is also home to Miracle Grounds Coffee Cafe & Creamery, a working vocational classroom, featuring specialty coffee drinks, homemade snacks, sandwiches, milkshakes, ice cream, Wi-Fi and more.

Crossnore is famous for its Independence Day parade and celebration, and the town’s Meeting House is home to the Crossnore Jam, a series of gatherings and concerts by local musicians on the first Friday night through the summer and fall months.

For more information, visit www. crossnorenc.com.

Elk Park

The town of Elk Park borders the state of Tennessee and offers a unique visiting experience. From the old-time feel of Brinkley’s Hardware Store to the additional Lower Street antique shops and classic mural wall, Elk Park takes visitors back to a simpler time.

The town’s original thoroughfare, Lower Street, and many businesses originated when Elk Park hosted a train depot for the old East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad, better known as Tweetsie. Elk Park thrived due to the industry and remained vibrant after the trains stopped running through town.

In 2013, Elk Park opened its new town hall facility to the public adjacent to its town park named after longtime former mayor Lucille Winters.

Elk Park is also the home of Trosly Farm and The Liar’s Table Restaurant. Owners Amos and Kaci Nidiffer were named 2020 North Carolina Small Farmers of the Year by NC A&T State University Cooperative Extension. For more information, call Elk Park Town Hall at (828) 733-9573.

Linville

The community of Linville is located just south of the intersection of U.S. 221 and N.C. 105 in Avery County. The community was founded in 1883, designed by Samuel T. Kelsey of Kansas and named for William and John Linville, who were reportedly killed by Cherokees in 1766.

East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad passed through the community from 1916 through 1940, when a major flood washed away the tracks. The old rail route later became N.C. 105 in 1956.

Linville has three country clubs in the area: Eseeola, Grandfather Golf and Country Club and Linville Ridge, all open late spring to early fall.

A number of local tourist areas within a short drive share the Linville name, including the Linville River and majestic Linville Falls, Linville Caverns on U.S. 221 and the Linville Gorge wilderness area.

For visitors considering making Linville a part- or full-time home, they can visit Linville Land Harbor, where units are available for sale or rent in a cozy community featuring its own golf course, tennis and pickleball courts and amenities.

A number of residents reside at Land Harbor part time, while others stay year-round to enjoy the beauty of the area’s four seasons.

During the winter months, Linville is only a short drive to nearby ski slopes at Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain, popular skiing and snow-tubing destinations.

Perhaps the most popular tourist attraction housed in Linville is Grandfather Mountain.

The Grandfather Mountain attraction offers picturesque views during all four seasons, animal habitats and the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge.

Grandfather Mountain State Park offers hiking trails and backcountry camping opportunities.

Newland

The highest county seat east of the

Mississippi River at 3,589 feet, the town of Newland was incorporated in 1913 as the county seat of the newly formed Avery County.

Its original name was “Old Fields of Toe,” because it is located in a broad flat valley and is at the headwaters of the Toe River.

Newland was a mustering place for Civil War troops. Toe is short for “Estatoe,” an Indian chief’s daughter who drowned herself in the river in despair because she could not marry a brave from another tribe.

A town of approximately 700 residents, Newland succeeded over three other areas for the honor of county seat. The recently renovated courthouse, originally constructed in 1913, overlooks a classic town square, bordered by shops and churches and complete with a memorial to Avery County veterans.

Adjacent to the courthouse building is the original jail, which has been converted into the Avery County Historical Museum. Exhibits in the museum, which is free to visit, include the original jail cells, numerous artifacts and information about the history of Avery County.

During the summer and fall months, visitors can check out the farmers market that meets on Saturday mornings outside of Newland Elementary School, and visitors traveling out of town can picnic or hike at Waterfalls Park, a unique recreation spot sponsored by Newland Volunteer Fire Department. Just outside of Newland is Mountain Glen Golf Club. The club consists of the 18-hole golf course, clubhouse with large upstairs dining facility for special events or occasions, pro shop, snack bar, driving range, golf shed and putting green. Another popular location near town is Heritage Park, which houses the Avery County Cooperative Extension office and community building and hosts everything from rodeo events on weekends during the summer to concerts and functions. The location also serves as the permanent home for the county’s annual Agriculture and Heritage Fair each September.

Newland hosts an annual Christmas parade through downtown, with decorations adorning the town reflecting the area’s rich Christmas tree industry. With a number of restaurants and boutiques downtown, Newland is a prime destination for dining and shopping, or just to stop in on a visit to nearby Roan Mountain, Tenn., or Grandfather Mountain. For more information, visit www.townofnewland.com.

Sugar Mountain

If outdoor activity is your thing, look no further than the village of Sugar Mountain.

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