
Burke County
Burke County was formed in 1777 from
Rowan County. The act was to become effective June 1, 1777.
It was named in honor of Dr. Thomas Burke, a member of the
Continental Congress and governor of North Carolina,
1781-1782. It is in the west central section of the state
and is bounded by Catawba, Cleveland, and Rutherford,
McDowell, Avery and Caldwell counties.
The Grand Canyon of North
Carolina
The Linville River with its source high on Grandfather
Mountain has, by its tremendous scouring action, formed one
of Eastern America's most scenic and rugged gorges. The
steep walls of the Gorge enclose the Linville River for 12
miles. The river's swift waters descend over 2,000 feet
before breaking into the open levels of the Catawba Valley,
Elevation averages 3,400 feet along the rim of the Gorge and
2,000 feet on Linville River. The Linville Gorge Wilderness,
in the western North Carolina Mountains, is part of the
Pisgah National Forest. The gorge is formed by Jonas Ridge
on the east and Linville Mountain on the west and is
bisected by the Linville River, which drops into the valleys
below. The odd assortment of rock formations located on
Jonas Ridge includes Sitting Bear, Hawksbill, Table Rock,
and the Chimneys. Elevations range from 1,300 feet on the
Linville River to 4,120 feet on Gingercake Mountain. The
terrain is extremely steep and rugged with numerous rock
formations. It is covered by a dense hardwood/pine forest
and a wide variety of smaller trees and other plants.
Recreation opportunities include hiking, backpacking, rock
climbing, fishing, and hunting.
The Brown Mountain Lights
Among the most fascinating natural
wonders of the High Country are the Brown Mountain Lights.
The mysterious lights appear and disappear, seeming
to move over the ridge of Brown Mountain (in Burke County,
near Morganton).
The Brown Mountain Lights have been have been made
famous by Cherokee legends dating back to the 1200s and by
modern reports.
White settlers of the High Country reported seeing the
lights throughout the 1700 and 1800s.
They are the stuff of story and song.
In 1771, German scientist, Gerard Will
de Brahm, viewed the lights and reported, "The Mountains
emit nitrous vapors which are borne by the wind and when
laden winds meet each other the niter inflames, sulphurates
and deteriorates."
The US Geological Survey, however, put forth another
explanation in 1913: headlights lights from a train in the
Catawba Valley.
The government scientists did not bother to explain how the
lights appeared before the advent of the locomotive.
Ironically, a flood in 1916 destroyed the railroad
line credited as the source of the lights... and, the lights
continued.
No one knows the true cause of the
Brown Mountain Lights.
This mystery engenders a delightful sense of whimsy
and wonder, making the tales of the supernatural preferable
as an explanation.
Campgrounds and Cottages
Cottages within the area. |
Campgrounds |
Catawba Falls Campground Old Fort, 828-668-4831 WiFi available |