SURRY COUNTY
County Offices
118 Hamby Road
Dobson 336-401-8201
www.co.surry.nc.us
Chamber of Commerce
116 E Market Street
Elkin 336-526-1111
http://yadkinvalley.org
Surry County has a population of just over 73,673. Its county seat is Dobson and its largest city is Mount Airy. With 538 square miles of total land area and only four incorporated municipalities, much of Surry County remains rural. Like much of rural North Carolina, Surry County is dotted with many unincorporated communities, some with rather colorful names. Like many rural communities, these places are centered on churches, schools, post offices, and other common gathering places that developed to serve the needs of a mostly agricultural society. The United States Geographic Names Information System includes 68 populated places in Surry County. Four of these are the county’s incorporated municipalities and seven are historical place names. Of the remaining 57, three have since been annexed by an existing city or town. Elkin Valley and North Elkin have long been part of the town of Elkin and the city of Mount Airy will complete in summer 2007 its annexation of the remaining portions of Hollyview Forest-Highland Park that remain outside of the city.
Lifestyle
Outdoor recreation is a must for residents of this predominately rural county. Surry County is located both within the Piedmont region of central North Carolina and in the Appalachian Mountains region of western North Carolina. Most of the eastern two-thirds of the county lies within the Piedmont, a region of gently rolling hills and valleys. However, the Piedmont of Surry County also contains a small portion of the Sauratown Mountains; Surry County marks the western end of the Sauratown Mountain range. The western third of the county lies within the Blue Ridge Mountains, and they dominate the county’s western horizon. The mountain passes are notorious for their occasional high winds. The highest point in Surry County is Fisher Peak in the Blue Ridge; it rises to 3,570 feet above sea level. However, the best-known peak in Surry County is not the highest. That honor goes to Pilot Mountain, an isolated mountain and a North Carolina landmark. Pilot Mountain sharply rises some 2,421 feet above the surrounding countryside, and can be seen for miles. Another notable peak in Surry County is Cumberland Knob, in the northwest corner of the county, which was the starting point of the construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The following table provides a list of some of the more prominent mountains of the county.
Services
The County affords outstanding educational opportunities at all levels. Public and private schools offer strong college preparatory, vocational and technical programs. Surry County Schools offer a variety of enrichment programs which take students beyond the normal curriculum. Academic enrichment in music, drama and art broaden the cultural awareness of local students and community. Accredited private schools that offer classes in kindergarten through grade twelve are also available. Surry County Schools are highly rated. The system consists of 26 schools spread over four attendance areas. Each attendance area includes a high school and elementary and middle schools that feed them. Surry County Schools are divided into three local school systems: Surry County Schools, Mount Airy City Schools, and Elkin City Schools. One unique school in the county is the Surry Early College High School of Design was established in 2006 on the campus of Surry Community College. The program is a collaborative effort among the three school systems in Surry County and Surry Community College. The mission of the re-designed high school is to provide opportunities for students from a diverse background to achieve a college education. The county is also home to Surry Community College which is part of the North Carolina Community College System.
Health care is a priority in the County and is well represented by an excellent full-service hospital, healthcare facilities and human service agencies that offer a continuum of care, resources and support to meet the physical, mental and developmental needs of the community. The county is served by the Northern Hospital of Surry County and the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital.
Mount Airy
City Offices
300 South Main Street
Mount Airy 336-786-3501
www.mountairy.org
Chamber of Commerce
200 North Main Street
Mount Airy 336-786-6116
www.mtairyncchamber.org
The hometown of Andy Griffith and home to more than 11,000 residents, Mount Airy retains its quaint, small town atmosphere while offering fine dining, downtown shopping, and museums to explore. Mount Airy was the birthplace and childhood home of American actor Andy Griffith, and is widely believed to be the inspiration for the fictional community Mayberry, the setting of The Andy Griffith Show and its sequel, Mayberry RFD. Until he returned to Mount Airy, 45 years after the show, Griffith denied the connection. Several locations and names mentioned in both shows reflect real places and people in or near Mount Airy, including Mount Pilot (nearby Pilot Mountain and the town named for it) and Snappy Lunch, a restaurant which still operates in the city’s downtown area and is famous for its pork chop sandwich. The community holds an annual “Mayberry Days” celebration during the last weekend of September; attendance normally exceeds 35,000 for this festival. One of the attractions is the Andy Griffith Museum, which attracts more than 200 visitors a day.
In addition to its television related fame, the town has a lot to offer its residents. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy riding down the breathtaking Blue Ridge Parkway, hiking at Pilot Mountain State Park, or canoeing on the Yadkin River. Bluegrass and traditional music lovers can take in a jam session or live radio broadcast every Saturday morning in Historic Downtown Mount Airy. History buffs can delve into the area’s colorful past at the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History and by visiting the county’s myriad of historic sites. In the last few years, the area has become fertile ground for a booming vineyard and winery trade. One of the Southeast’s largest vineyard estates, Shelton Vineyard is only 15 minutes from downtown Mount Airy. The only Main Street winery in North Carolina, the Old North State Winery, is located in Mount Airy. Other wineries within very close proximity include Black Wolf Vineyards, Round Peak Vineyards, Rag Apple Lassie Vineyards and Stony Knoll Vineyards. Mount Airy is located in the Yadkin Valley Wine Region. Mount Airy is a great place to call home, offering newcomers everything they need close to home.
Pilot Mountain
Town Offices
124 West Main Street
Pilot Mountain 336-368-2247
www.pilotmountainnc.org
Pilot Mountain is home to only 1,282 residents, but offers amenities exclusive to more metropolitan areas. The schools inside the town limits include an elementary, middle and high school. Each are recognized “Schools of Excellence”. A satellite campus for Surry Community College is located inside the downtown area, offering skilled classes, GED and curriculum courses. The downtown also boasts the state-of-the-art Edward M Armfield Civic Center housing an Olympic sized indoor pool, several workout rooms, a full size enclosed basketball court and walking track. Adjacent to the property is the Pilot Mountain Park, decorated with miles of walking and hiking trails, and wildlife habitats. And to promote green transit, Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation [PART] has two hard-top pick up locations inside the town limits for daily commuters working throughout the Piedmont Triad. Pilot Mountain provides a comfortable offering of amenities for its residents. For outdoor enthusiasts, Pilot Mountain park offers hiking trails, picnic and camping areas, canoeing, fishing, rock climbing and an opportunity to explore nature. The town is home to several yearly festivals including Mayfest, PilotFest and the popular Hot Car Cruise-Ins.
Dobson
Town Offices
307 N Main Street
Dobson 336-356-8962
www.dobson-nc.com
Dobson is a town in Dobson Township and is home more than 1,600 residents. It is the county seat of Surry County and is the location for county and state governmental offices. Dobson is also the home of Surry Community College. Set in the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Dobson is a great launch point for exploring the natural beauty of the region. It is a small town with all of the amenities that go along with it. At just about an hour’s drive from the Triad and Charlotte metro, the town is a convenient destination for both day trips and weekend getaways. The town offers a lot of options for its residents and visitors alike, from award winning wineries to fantastic outdoor activities. It is home to the Shelton Vineyards which is the largest family-owned estate winery in North Carolina. The winery offers tours and during the summer months, a summer concert series.
Elkin
Town Offices
226 North Bridge Street
Elkin 336-794-6464
www.elkinnc.org
Chamber of Commerce
116 E Market Street
Elkin 336-526-1111
www.yadkinvalley.org
Elkin is approximately 70 miles north of Charlotte and 40 miles west of Winston-Salem. The Greensboro airport is 65 miles away and Charlotte’s Douglas International Airport is a 1-½ hour trip. The town is home to more than 5,000 residents. Elkin is the geographic center of the gorgeous Yadkin Valley located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Known for its hometown appeal, Elkin is host to the Yadkin Valley Wine Festival each May. The town offers sophisticated fun with year round festivals, unique shops, fine dining, wine tasting, and more. Elkin’s beautiful surroundings serve as a natural backdrop for outdoor adventures. With all its sights and Southern charms, it is no wonder Elkin calls itself “The Best Small Town in America”. Elkin has been designated a “Main Street City” as part of the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce Program. On the fourth Saturday in September, the town hosts the Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Festival which includes arts and crafts, music and the selection of the region’s official largest pumpkin. For those looking for hometown charm, historic landmarks, fine shopping and dining, Downtown Elkin is the place to go. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Downtown Elkin is filled with one-of-a-kind, independently owned shops. Fine arts, country crafts, and jewelry to books, clocks and hardware to nostalgic mercantile, clothing and an eclectic assortment of restaurants can all be found in this business district nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For families with children, Elkin Schools are some of the best in the state, both in academics and athletics. Elkin High School has one of the highest graduation rates of any public high school in the state. Its athletics program is one of the most respected 1A programs in the state. The football program captured state titles in 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006. They also won one in 1967 as a 3A program. Elkin High has also produced numerous fencing, soccer, volleyball, tennis, swimming, and wrestling state championships, making it a source of pride in the town. Elkin is truly a wonderful place for those looking to settle into a community that they can call home.
