With a population of less than 1,000 residents, the town of Old Fort in McDowell County enjoys a charming small town atmosphere surrounded by the natural beauty of the western North Carolina foothills.
Old Fort residents are proud of their mountain heritage, which is tightly woven into the fabric of America’s beginnings — from the time when pioneers with courageous hearts and adventurous spirits settled in what was the westernmost outpost of the original 13 colonies, to the establishment of rich traditions in Appalachian crafts and music, to the country’s forward progress in building a railroad through the mountains of western North Carolina.
The town of Old Fort today is a blend of historic traditions and present-day small town appeal. The restored Old Fort Depot is dedicated to sharing the area’s railroad history, while at the same time serving as the home of the McDowell County Tourism Authority. Next to it stands a tall arrowhead monument standing at the crossroads of the two main thoroughfares through town, signifying peace between Native American tribes and the descendents of white settlers.
Near the depot, the Mountain Gateway Museum offers visitors a look back at how pioneers lived and plays host to annual festivals and outdoor summer concerts by local musicians. Live music can also be heard every Friday night in the form of Old Fort Mountain Music, a decades-old weekly event that is free to the public.
Quilt blocks designed under the direction of a local arts organization and displayed on various buildings through town, as well as the formation of the Arrowhead Artists & Artisans League, keep the area’s traditions in art and handmade crafts alive and thriving.
A few miles from downtown, the Point Lookout Trail, converted from the former US Hwy 70 into a greenway, preserves one of the state’s original overlooks and offers bicyclists and pedestrians the chance to get outdoors and enjoy the scenery. Nearby, in a park along Mill Creek is an 80-foot-tall manmade fountain called Andrews Geyser, erected in the 1880s (and rededicated in 1976) as a tribute to the construction of the area’s rail line and as a memorial to the men who died building it.
Old Fort continues to celebrate its past by connecting its heritage and history with the present and future. In 2010, Davidson’s Fort opened to the public. This replica of the Revolutionary War fort used by General Rutherford to lead thousands of North Carolina militia men, was constructed by volunteers and is being used to educate visitors about the lives of families living in the North Carolina wilderness during the late 1700s. In 2010, the town was designated as a Mountain Heritage Trout Town, part of a cooperative effort between the North Carolina Wildlife Commission and local governments to enrich heritage tourism activities in the area. In 2011, portions of Main Street and Catawba Avenue in downtown Old Fort were declared a Historic District on the National Registry. Plans are currently underway to create a greenway along Mill Creek and to make enhancements to a local park.
The Old Fort Mountain Heritage Alliance, working with town government and Handmade in America, is striving to keep Old Fort’s history and small town charm intact for residents and visitors, while formulating a plan for the town’s progress and economic viability in the future. We’re excited about what the future holds for our town!
