Welcome to Asheville

POLK COUNTY

County Offices
40 Courthouse Street
Columbus 828-894-3301
www.polknc.org

Chamber of Commerce
2753 Lynn Road
Tryon 828-859-6236
www.carolinafoothillschamber.com

Home to national equestrian events, unlimited outdoor recreation, and spectacular scenery, Polk County draws newcomers to an exceptional quality of life. Timeless communities have managed to preserve their rural heritage and unique appeal in the face of modern growth and development.

Services
State-of-the-art healthcare is close to home for residents of Polk County, who look to St. Luke’s Hospital in Columbus as the anchor of a network of services. Located near the intersection of Interstate 26 and Route 108, the hospital is 40 miles southeast of Ashville and 25 miles northwest of Spartanburg, South Carolina. As the only hospital in its primary service area, St. Luke’s provides a 24-hour physician-staffed emergency department and specialized medical and surgical services usually associated with much larger hospitals. The hospital campus also houses the Polk County EMS and Hospice of the Carolina Foothills. Residents of Polk County also benefit from St. Luke’s close association with Spartanburg Regional Medical Center and Mission-St. Joseph’s Health System, both major tertiary care centers, which are just a few minutes away by helicopter or ambulance.

Education is a high priority for Polk County residents, where the SAT scores for students in the public school system exceed state and national averages. The teacher/student ratios are among the highest in North Carolina, and the per-pupil spending ranks 25 out of 115 school systems across the state. The number of teachers with graduate degrees ranks Polk County Schools third in that same group of 115 school systems. Those who are interested in pursuing a higher education have abundant options within commuting distance from home, including Isothermal Community College, Blue Ridge Community College in North Carolina, Spartanburg Technical College, University of South Carolina Upstate, Converse College, and Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Lifestyle
Panoramic Polk County offers a wide variety of residential settings that support a kaleidoscope of lifestyles. Newcomers can choose from rustic log homes in mountain environments, a pastoral horse farm, a charming historic neighborhood in a foothills town, or upscale living in a country club community. The county is divided into five townships and three municipalities, combining pristine natural beauty with attractive neighborhoods and bustling commercial districts. The waterfalls, mountains, and rolling hills of the Piedmont provide virtually unlimited access to outdoor recreation and adventure. Luxurious golf courses, equestrian attractions, fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and mountain biking are all common pastimes. National and state events combine with annual celebrations and festivals to fill the calendar with red-letter dates. The national Block House Steeplechase has been sponsored by the Tryon Riding & Hunt Club for more than half a century. The Blue Ridge Barbecue Festival that includes the North Carolina State Barbecue Championship Cookoff draws culinary professionals from across the nation.

Originally a vaudeville theatre built in 1939, Tryon Theatre provides first-run movies, art and foreign films, and occasional live performances. The Tryon Fine Arts Center brought a modern stage to Polk County in 1969, where exhibits, shows, and events in the visual and performing arts showcase regional, national, and international talent. Seniors over age 60 come to The Meeting Place for socialization and recreation, while the younger set gathers at the Tryon Youth Center for indoor dancing or outdoor adventure. The Polk County recreation programs are diverse and appeal to a wide cross-section of age groups and interests. Sports teams, gymnastics, swimming, karate, girl’s softball and adult programs in aerobics, swimming, karate, and basketball are among the options. Equestrians and nature lovers will want to return frequently to the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, stretching over 250 acres of rolling pastures, forests, and foothills to offer horse shows and themed nature walks as well as educational programs. The same quaint towns, historic sites, arts and crafts, and scenic vistas that have made Polk County so popular with visitors, from Ernest Hemingway to Lady Astor, make the county a comfortable and idyllic home. That’s why Polk County is among the “top 10 places to live in rural America.”

Town of Columbus
Town Hall
828-894-8236
www.columbusnc.com

Chamber of Commerce
828-859-6236
www.carolinafoothillschamber.com

The growing town of Columbus is known as a gateway community to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Breathtaking scenery and four colorful, mild seasons have made this area popular with retirees and families who appreciate small-town friendliness and simplicity. The grand, historic Polk County Courthouse—one of the oldest still in use in the state—stands as a living monument to the rich heritage of the county seat of government. At the same time, the attitude toward environmental protection and planned growth is progressive. Columbus just recently doubled its land area to accommodate several developing new subdivisions, encouraging new residents to experience the unrivaled quality of life that others have enjoyed for centuries. Columbus claims an unusual beginning as a community that sprang up almost overnight, carved from 100 acres of unspoiled wilderness on what was then known as Foster Race path in the shadow of Fosters Mountain, known today as Chocolate Drop. Today, residents enjoy developed recreational amenities close to home, including lush parks, walking paths, tennis courts, a swimming pool, and colorful special events. Saturday’s in the Park crowns the month of August with live music at Veterans Memorial Park.

City of Saluda
Town Hall
828-749-2581
www.cityofsaludanc.com

Chamber of Commerce
828-859-6236
www.carolinafoothillschamber.com

Historic Saluda is perched on the crest of the “Saluda Grade,” the steepest standard-gauge railroad in America. This quaint town has managed to preserve its turn-of-the-century atmosphere and charm, with 16 buildings in the downtown district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In a “walking town” like Saluda, that represents most of the streetscape! Victorian architecture along tree-lined streets is graced by seasonal blooms for a postcard-perfect image, although new construction in the Saluda area is on the rise. Known for its arts community, wonderful shops, and fine restaurants, Saluda combines a lively cultural community atmosphere with old-fashioned family values. Coon Dog Days follows the 4th of July celebration each year, drawing participants to a 5K run. The town is nestled in the foothills beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, allowing easy access to premier recreational sites for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, and fishing.
Town of Tryon
Town Hall
828-859-6655
www.tryon-nc.com

Chamber of Commerce
828-859-6236
www.carolinafoothillschamber.com

Serving as a cultural center of Polk County, the town of Tryon is home to performing groups, individual artisans, crafts people, and the Tryon Fine arts Center. Tryon also draws national crowds to outstanding events like the North Carolina Barbecue Festival and the Block House Steeplechase held at the Tryon Riding & Hunt Club. Historic sites are common in this long-established area, like the rustic Tryon Depot located at the bottom of the Famous Saluda Grade, the nation’s steepest standard-gauge railroad. Few communities can match Tryon for the number of generational descendants of the area’s original settlers. Many residents bear the family names of pioneer relatives four or more generations back in their lineage. Today’s population mix is becoming increasingly more diverse, blending retirees with young families and singles who appreciate the world-class recreational opportunities. Fishing, hiking, and canoeing are available on 10,000 acres of the Green River Game Lands. The town itself is named for the mountains that create its scenic backdrop, the Tryon Mountains, stretching for 10 miles and crowned by Tryon Peak.