Mitchell County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 15,687. Its county seat is Bakersville. Mitchell County is one of the four dry counties in North Carolina, along with Clay, Graham, and Yancey.
History
The county was formed in 1861 from parts of Burke County, Caldwell County, McDowell County, Watauga County, and Yancey County. It was named for Elisha Mitchell, professor of mathematics, chemistry, geology, and mineralogy at the University of North Carolina from 1818 until his death in 1857. Dr. Mitchell was the first scientist to argue that a nearby peak in the Black Mountains was the highest point east of the Mississippi River. He measured the mountain's height and climbed and explored it. In 1857 he fell to his death on a waterfall on the side of the mountain. The mountain was subsequently named Mount Mitchell in his honor.
Law and government
Mitchell County is a member of the regional High Country Council of Governments.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 222 square miles (575 km²), of which, 221 square miles (574 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (2 km²) of it (0.32%) is water.
Townships
The county is divided into ten townships: Bakersville, Bradshaw, Cane Creek, Little Switzerland, Fork Mountain-Little Rock Creek (previously two separate townships), Grassy Creek, Harrell, Poplar, Red Hill, Snow Creek, and Spruce Pine.
National protected areas
- Blue Ridge Parkway (part)
- Pisgah National Forest (part)
Cities and towns
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