BURKE COUNTY
County Offices
200 Avery Avenue
Morganton 828-764-9000
https://www.burkenc.org
Chamber of Commerce
110 East Meeting Street
Morganton 828-437-3021
https://burkecountychamber.org/
Services
Anchored by the county seat of Morganton, breathtakingly beautiful Burke County is nestled in the temperate foothills of the North Carolina Blue Ridge region. Known as one of the state’s scenic jewels, this area also provides quality services to growing communities. Many leading manufacturers are based Burke County, including some of the fastest growing new entrepreneurial companies in the nation. Quality public and private schools serve students of all ages at all levels, from preschool through 12th grade and beyond. Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton is dedicated to offering an affordable beginning to a four-year degree as well as maximizing access to diverse learning opportunities and vocational training. Other institutions of higher education that are available within a reasonable commute include the colleges and universities in Metropolitan Charlotte, Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, Appalachian State University in Boone, Gaston College in Dallas, Winthrop University in Rock Hill, and Spartanburg Technical College in Spartanburg.
The network of medical and professional services and facilities in Burke County are anchored by the Blue Ridge Healthcare System and it leading facility of Grace Hospital. Providing state-of-the-art services within a cost-effective delivery system combines with the promotion of wellness and community education to meet lifetime needs. Serving Morganton and the surrounding region for more than eight decades, Grace Hospital was founded to give Burke County residents a quality full-service care center close to home. Valdese General Hospital represents another valuable resource for the healthcare community, affiliated with two respected healthcare delivery systems: Blue Ridge HealthCare System and Carolinas HealthCare System.
Lifestyle
Many consider the natural beauty of the Burke County landscape to surpass that of any other county in North Carolina. It’s undeniable appeal to newcomers and visitors have raised this area to the status of the jewel in the crown of panoramic regions that made up this scenic state. From the lavender hills in the north to the verdant rolling terrain in the south, Burke County enjoys a protected Catawba Valley River location that encompasses one of the Southeast’s few pristine lakes. Lake James State Park and South Mountains State Park are protecting the unspoiled beauty of the Lake James area, although the public land around this region is giving way to handsome residential developments.
Many of the new custom homes in Burke County command spectacular views of Lake James or Mount Mitchell. Other highlights of Burke County include the rugged wilderness of Pisgah National Forest and Linville Gorge as well as the panoramic vistas from Table Rock, Short-Off Mountain, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Nature trails, parks, and picnic areas abound as well as preserves and trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, and hunting. Local communities offer championship golf courses, private clubs, active recreation programming, swimming pools, tennis courts, and sports facilities. For professional sports excitement, the minor-league baseball team Hickory Crawdads plays at L.P. Franx Stadium in Hickory.
Those who are fascinated by history will discover sites like Alva Theatre, Bunker Hill Covered Bridge, Murray’s Mill, and Quaker Meadows Plantation. Emerald Village & North Carolina Mining Museum in Little Switzerland is heralded as North Carolina’s top mining attraction, combining displays and exhibits with underground tours and gemstone mining. The Arts & Science Center of Catawba Valley encourages interactive learning and fun for visitors of all ages in the natural and physical sciences. However, even modern technology has yet to explain the mysterious Brown Mountain Lights that have appeared since the early 1900s at the overlook on Highway 181 North. Aficionados of the arts can look forward to national touring plays and musicals at the City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium. From the Waldensian Winery and farmer’s markets or roadside stands to the delightful shopping experience in Morganton’s historic downtown district, Burke County is a cornucopia of natural and crafted delights wrapped in traditional Southern hospitality that are just waiting to be explored and enjoyed.
Connelly Springs
Municipal Offices
828-879-2321
http://connellysprings.com
Chamber of Commerce
828-437-3021
https://burkecountychamber.org/
Approximately 60 miles from the bright lights of Charlotte and 40 miles from the highly developed amenities of Gastonia, the small community of Connelly Springs is a charming residential village with superb recreational attractions. The sprawling natural paradise of South Mountains State Park makes this hometown setting ideal for the outdoor adventure and the nature enthusiast. With 14 miles of trout streams and 48 miles of trails designated for mountain bikes, horseback riders, and hikers, this area accommodates family and group camping as well as equestrian camping. Remarkable features within the park include High Shoals Falls on the Jacob’s Fork River, sending a torrent of water 80 feet over a cliff of bare rock. The nearby City of Valdese provides a major healthcare institution, retail centers, recreational facilities, entertainment centers, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
Drexel
Municipal Offices
828-437-7421
http://www.ci.drexel.nc.us/
Chamber of Commerce
828-437-3021
https://burkecountychamber.org/
The small town of Drexel nestled in western North Carolina enjoys a prime location in a region known for its scenic beauty, outdoor recreation, history, and unique shopping opportunities. Fine museums, art galleries, antique shops, furniture outlets, and restaurants are all close to home in a hometown community where neighbors seem more like extended family. When residents need a change from the quiet atmosphere and slower pace of small-town living, they can choose from a long list of regional attractions for weekend trips and getaways. Linville Caverns, Mount Mitchell, Chimney Rock Park, South Mountains State Park, Lake James State Park, and the Blue Ridge Parkway are just a few of the possibilities for relaxation and adventure. Ideally located between the major cities of Morganton and Valdese, Drexel residents are only minutes from the county’s finest performing arts events, major hospitals, high educational opportunities, shopping malls and centers, and first-rate entertainment centers.
Glen Alpine
Municipal Offices
828-584-2622
http://www.townofglenalpine.org/
Chamber of Commerce
828-437-3021
https://burkecountychamber.org/
Nestled in the lush foothills between Morganton and Marion, the serene Town of Glen Alpine enjoys a location near Interstate 40. U.S. Highway 70 intersects the town for added commuting convenience. Adopting the slogan, “A small town with a big heart,” the community takes pride in its close-knit spirit and cooperative attitude in maintaining a high quality of life and a family oriented atmosphere. Many active civic organizations and churches have attracted men and women who are willing to roll up their sleeves and volunteer their time and talent to enrich the entire community. With the expanded amenities and attractions in Morganton just five miles from home, residents of Glen Alpine can enjoy the intimacy of a small town without sacrificing urban advantages. In addition to Morganton’s retail centers, fine galleries, performing arts, and entertainment venues, the surrounding region offers a natural playground for fishing, boating, water sports, camping, backpacking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and every imaginable outdoor activity.
Hildebran
Municipal Offices
828-397-5801
https://www.hildebrannc.com
Chamber of Commerce
828-437-3021
https://burkecountychamber.org/
The tranquil, small community of Hildebran enjoys a quiet location near Interstate 40, giving local residents quick and easy access to the expanded amenities in the region’s leading urban centers of Hickory, Valdese, and Morganton. Major hospitals, college campuses, touring companies for theater and music, science and history museums, historic sites, minor-league baseball action, golf courses, tennis courts, sports clubs, and major shopping districts are all available close to home. Without ever leaving Burke County, Hildebran residents can enjoy some of North Carolina’s most beautiful state parkland and recreational areas for hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, and nature study.
Lake James
County Offices
828-769-9000
Chamber of Commerce
828-437-3021
https://burkecountychamber.org/
Near the charming county seat of Morganton in the foothills of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Lake James provides an idyllic setting for a permanent home, vacation retreat, or retirement haven. The unspoiled and unrivaled beauty of this area had not escaped Hollywood producers, who selected Lake James as the site for the movie, “The Last of the Mohicans.” Minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and Linville Gorge, this lakefront area is experiencing a surge of quality new construction. Everything from established small communities to handsome new residential villages are available. Well-landscaped neighborhoods features homes with architecturally inviting entrances, lush common areas, clubhouses, swimming pools, and community docks for off-water home sites. Straddling both Burke and McDowell counties, this serene and breathtaking region features 150 miles of wooded shoreline as well as thousands of acres of water and hidden coves for fishing, boating, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, and water sports.
Morganton
Municipal Offices
828-437-8863
https://www.morgantonnc.gov/
Chamber of Commerce
828-437-3021
https://burkecountychamber.org/
Although the charming community of Morganton is home to less than 20,000 residents, it offers amenities and advantages associated with much larger cities. Serving as the Burke County seat of government, Morganton is ideally located between two of North Carolina’s major metropolitan areas: Asheville and Charlotte. Historic downtown Morganton features a main street that bustles with activity in small shops, restaurants, and entertainment centers. As part of the city’s widespread revitalization and beautification program, a renovated vintage mill has created a beautiful center for city offices and commercial space. Concerts on the square, colorful festivals, cultural events at the municipal auditorium, wonderful museums, and restaurants with river and greenway views are just a few of the attractions. Western Piedmont Community College joins the North Carolina School for the Deaf and Western Carolina Rehabilitation Center to give Morganton the status of an educational center. Lake James is only minutes from town, providing a pristine environment for fishing, boating, and water sports. State parks and forests encourage day trips for hiking and mountain biking, rock climbing, camping, and backpacking. Rolling rivers are ideal for kayaking, fly fishing, and rafting.
Rutherford College
Town Hall
828-874-0333
https://rutherfordcollegenc.us/
Chamber of Commerce
828-437-3021
https://burkecountychamber.org/
Another one of Burke County’s small but friendly towns, Rutherford College claims a history that dates back to the 1850s but only recently re-incorporated as a municipality in 1977. The civic pride and progressive attitude that prevails in the community is evident in its slogan, “Small but unique and moving forward.” Newcomers will find a warm, friendly atmosphere where the town park is the focal point of local celebrations and festivities. Popular annual events in Rutherford College include Summer Fest, the Senior Citizens Cookout, and Christmas in the Park. Rutherford College is a page from American history—a town where neighbors know and care for each other and grandfathers leave a generational legacy of home and land to their offspring. This scenic town is bordered on the north by Lake Rhodhiss on the Catawba River, and on the south by the Mineral Springs Mountain.
Valdese
Municipal Offices
828-879-2120
https://www.townofvaldese.com
Chamber of Commerce
828-437-3021
https://burkecountychamber.org/
Nestled in the shadows of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, the Town of Valdese claims a rich heritage of cultural diversity. Residents of this small but well-developed town are able to enjoy quality amenities and services in a relaxed atmosphere that encourages a leisurely stroll down a brick sidewalk lined with flowers along Main Street. A number of thriving businesses are at home in the town, producing goods that are shipped across the nation and throughout the world. Balancing manufacturing with tourism as the mainstay of the local economy, the community is dedicated to preserving a high quality of life and an attractive cityscape. McGalliard Falls Park features a replica of a famous mill that edges a 45-foot waterfall as well as nature trails, tennis courts, play areas, and picnic facilities. Waldensian Museum presents the history of the region’s settlers in wonderful displays and exhibits. The town is especially well known for the “From This Day Forward” outdoor drama and several other living-history presentations.
