Editing Old Fort, North Carolina

{{Short description|Town in McDowell County, North Carolina}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Old Fort, North Carolina
|settlement_type          = [[Town]]
|nickname =
|motto                    = "Once you get here, you never want to leave"
<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Catawba Avenue, Old Fort, NC Oct 2016.jpg
|imagesize                =
|image_caption            = Catawba Avenue in Old Fort
|image_logo               =
|image_seal               =
<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = NCMap-doton-OldFort.PNG
|mapsize                  = 250x200px
|map_caption              = Location in [[North Carolina]]
|image_map1               =
|mapsize1                 =
|map_caption1             =
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[North Carolina]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in North Carolina|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[McDowell County, North Carolina|McDowell]]
|government_footnotes     =
|government_type          =
|leader_title             =
|leader_name              =
|leader_title1            =
|leader_name1             =
|established_title        =
|established_date         =
<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2024">{{cite web |title=2024 U.S. Gazetteer Files: North Carolina|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_gaz_place_37.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=March 18, 2025}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 3.18
|area_land_km2            = 3.16
|area_water_km2           = 0.02
|area_total_sq_mi         = 1.23
|area_land_sq_mi          = 1.22
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.01
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P1?q=&g=160XX00US3748920| title=P1. Race – Old Fort town, North Carolina: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=March 18, 2025}}</ref>
|population_total         = 811
|pop_est_as_of =
|pop_est_footnotes =
|population_est =
|population_density_km2   = 256.48
|population_density_sq_mi = 664.21
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 1447
|coordinates              = {{coord|35|37|46|N|82|10|45|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code              = 28762
|area_code                = [[Area code 828|828]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 37-48920<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2407044<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2407044}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|townofoldfort.org}}
|footnotes                =
}}

'''Old Fort''' is a town in [[McDowell County, North Carolina|McDowell County]], [[North Carolina]], United States. The population was 811 in the [[2020 United States census|2020 U.S. census]], down from 908 in [[2010 United States census|2010]].

==History==
{{Main|Davidson's Fort#History}}
Before the arrival of European settlers, the area that is now Old Fort was populated by the [[Catawba people|Catawba]] and [[Cherokee]]. In the 1500s, Spanish explorers came through the area.<ref name="Boyle" /> English and Scottish settlers arrived in the area in the mid-1700s.<ref name="Boyle" />

During the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]], a stockade or fort was constructed on land owned by brothers George and Samuel Davidson, "the westernmost outpost of Colonial civilization".<ref name="Boyle" /><ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=Neufeld |first=Rob |date=January 13, 2019 |title=Visiting Our Past: Happy Buncombe Day, and here's a chronology |work=Asheville Citizen-Times |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/life/2019/01/13/visiting-our-past-happy-buncombe-county-day-and-here-is-chronology/2513138002/ |access-date=January 13, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Davidson's Fort">{{cite web |date=February 13, 2010 |title=Davidson's Fort |url=http://ashevilleandbuncombecounty.blogspot.com/2010/02/davidsons-fort.html |access-date=November 8, 2018 |archive-date=November 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108224632/http://ashevilleandbuncombecounty.blogspot.com/2010/02/davidsons-fort.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It was called [[Davidson's Fort]] and was the post for military expeditions such as that of Gen. [[Griffith Rutherford]] in 1776.<ref name="Davidson's Fort" /> The fort became a site for trading between settlers and Native Americans.

The arrival of the [[Western North Carolina Railway]] (WNCR) in 1869 stimulated the development of a depot and hotel.<ref name="Boyle" /> In 1871, Sanborn Worthen bought the {{convert|2200|acre|adj=on}} Old Fort Plantation from George Davidson's grandson and changed its name to Catawba Vale.<ref name="Davidson's Fort" /> Worth hoped the railroad would build its yard there, but the WNCR chose another site.<ref name="Boyle">{{cite news|url=http://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2016/02/22/answer-man-dog-park-muddy-mess-old-fort-sign-confusion/80748858/|title=Answer Man: Dog park a muddy mess? Old Fort sign confusion?|last=Boyle|first=John|work=[[Asheville Citizen-Times]]|date=February 22, 2016|access-date=February 22, 2016}}</ref>

On January 25, 1872, the town of Catawba Vale was founded. The town name was changed to Old Fort on February 23, 1873,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oldfort.org/Site/Old%20Fort%20Wonders.pdf|title=History of Old Fort|access-date=November 8, 2018|archive-date=November 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108224657/http://www.oldfort.org/Site/Old%20Fort%20Wonders.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> honoring its origins.<ref name="Davidson's Fort" /> The railroad came to Old Fort in 1879.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Two Historic Small Towns in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains – Blue Ridge National Heritage Area |url=https://www.blueridgeheritage.com/itineraries/black-mountain-and-old-fort/ |access-date=December 7, 2022 |website=www.blueridgeheritage.com |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208000556/https://www.blueridgeheritage.com/itineraries/black-mountain-and-old-fort/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the 1950s the [[Supreme Court of North Carolina]] dismissed a case brought by students attempting to attend the all-white school in Old Fort. They were told to attend [[Hudgins High School]], a school for blacks, {{convert|12|mi|0}} away in [[Marion, North Carolina|Marion]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=1956-05-23 |title=Court Dismisses N. C. Negroes' School Plea |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbia-record-court-dismisses-n-c/148861391/ |access-date=2024-06-08 |work=The Columbia Record |pages=1}}</ref> 

In 1984, the town began free weekly Mountain Music concerts, held in the historic Rockett Building each Friday night downtown. They attracted large audiences and numerous musicians. In mid-2014, the organization that ran Mountain Music lost its arrangement with the building owner, and the weekly music shows ended after 27 years.<ref name="mountainmusic">{{cite web |author=McDowell News |date=July 22, 2014 |title=Tempers flare at Old Fort meeting about music program |url=http://www.mcdowellnews.com/news/tempers-flare-at-old-fort-meeting-about-music-program/article_c3d21e64-11db-11e4-bca0-0017a43b2370.html |access-date=December 23, 2014 |archive-date=February 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201002828/http://www.mcdowellnews.com/news/tempers-flare-at-old-fort-meeting-about-music-program/article_c3d21e64-11db-11e4-bca0-0017a43b2370.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Geography==
Old Fort is {{Convert|25|mi}} east of [[Asheville, North Carolina|Asheville]] and {{convert|33|mi}} west of [[Morganton, North Carolina|Morganton]].<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://maps.google.com| title=Directions| publisher=Google Maps| access-date=March 18, 2025}}</ref> According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|1.2|sqmi|km2}}, all land.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2024"/> Mill Creek, a tributary of the [[Catawba River]], flows through the center of Old Fort.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Old Fort, NC |url=https://www.romanticasheville.com/old_fort.htm |access-date=December 7, 2022 |website=RomanticAsheville.com |language=en |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208000600/https://www.romanticasheville.com/old_fort.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The town is surrounded by [[Pisgah National Forest]] which includes bogs, cove forests, fens, and hemlock forests.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Old Fort |url=https://www.blueridgetraveler.com/old-fort/ |access-date=December 7, 2022 |website=Blue Ridge Traveler |language=en |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208000546/https://www.blueridgetraveler.com/old-fort/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":2" />

=== Climate ===
Old Fort has a [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cfa'') and average monthly temperatures range from {{Convert|38.5|F|C}} in January to {{Convert|75.7|F|C}} in July.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University |url=https://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/ |access-date=December 7, 2022 |website=prism.oregonstate.edu |archive-date=August 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825085652/http://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Temperature variations between night and day can reach 21 degrees in the summer and 23 degrees in the winter.

The annual average precipitation at Old Fort is {{Convert|54.01|in|cm}}. Rainfall is fairly uniformly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is March, with an average rainfall of {{Convert|5.59|in|cm}}.

{{US Census population
| 1890 = 249
| 1900 = 253
| 1910 = 778
| 1920 = 931
| 1930 = 866
| 1940 = 774
| 1950 = 771
| 1960 = 787
| 1970 = 676
| 1980 = 752
| 1990 = 720
| 2000 = 963
| 2010 = 908
| 2020 = 811
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015|archive-date=July 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701194652/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

== Demographics ==

=== 2020 census ===
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 811 people, 463 households, and 290 families residing in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 79.04% [[White (U.S. census)|White]], 13.32% [[African American (U.S. census)|African American]], 4.19% [[Hispanic (U.S. census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. census)|Latino]], 3.21  [[Race (United States census)|other races]], and  0.25% [[Asian (U.S. census)|Asian]]. The median age is 46.3.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Old Fort, NC {{!}} Data USA |url=https://datausa.io/profile/geo/old-fort-nc |access-date=December 8, 2022 |website=datausa.io |language=en |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208000546/https://datausa.io/profile/geo/old-fort-nc |url-status=live }}</ref> Educational attainment of the population is: 18.1% high school diploma and 15.4% with a bachelor's degree.<ref name=":8" />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Old Fort racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US3748920&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 19, 2021|website=data.census.gov|archive-date=December 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219201514/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US3748920&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|url-status=live}}</ref>
! scope="col" | Race
! scope="col" | Number
! scope="col" | Percentage
|-
! scope="row" | [[White (U.S. census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 641
| 79.04%
|-
! scope="row" | [[African American (U.S. census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 108
| 13.32%
|-
! scope="row" | [[Asian (U.S. census)|Asian]]
| 2
| 0.25%
|-
! scope="row" | [[Race (United States census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 26
| 3.21%
|-
! scope="row" | [[Hispanic (U.S. census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. census)|Latino]]
| 34
| 4.19%
|}

== Economy ==
In 2020, the median household income was $28,269.<ref name=":8" /> Males had a median income $36,607versus $20,625 for females.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Old Fort, NC {{!}} Data USA |url=https://datausa.io/profile/geo/old-fort-nc#economy |access-date=December 7, 2022 |website=datausa.io |language=en |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208000546/https://datausa.io/profile/geo/old-fort-nc#economy |url-status=live }}</ref> Of the 463 households in town, 59.2% of the residents own their home.<ref name=":8" /> 20.6% of the population lives below the poverty level and 10.4% of the population does not have health insurance.<ref name=":8" />

=== Employers ===
Old Fort's largest industries are Health Care & Social Assistance (78 people), Manufacturing (50 people), and Transportation & Warehousing (46 people).<ref name=":5" /> Kitsbow Cycling Apparel, a manufacturer of premier sportswear and accessories, employed sixty full-time people in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=Michael |date=September 14, 2021 |title=Old Fort Is the Blue Ridge's Next Great Trail Town |url=https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/biking/old-fort-is-the-blue-ridges-next-great-trail-town/ |access-date=December 7, 2022 |website=Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208000553/https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/biking/old-fort-is-the-blue-ridges-next-great-trail-town/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=September 9, 2021 |title=Kitsbow Welcomes New Bike Shop to the Old Fort Ride House |url=https://www.outsidebusinessjournal.com/press-releases/bike-press-releases/kitsbow-welcomes-new-bike-shop-to-the-old-fort-ride-house/ |access-date=December 8, 2022 |website=Outside Business Journal |language=en |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208005801/https://www.outsidebusinessjournal.com/press-releases/bike-press-releases/kitsbow-welcomes-new-bike-shop-to-the-old-fort-ride-house/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Arts and culture==
[[File:Andrews Geyser - Ice and Sun.JPG|thumb|right|[[Andrews Geyser]]]]

=== Arts and museums ===
Old Fort has several attractions, including [[Andrews Geyser]], a gravity-fed fountain created in 1879 as a railroad attraction.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Andrews Geyser in Old Fort, NC |url=https://www.visitnc.com/listing/Q5Ds/andrews-geyser |access-date=December 7, 2022 |website=www.visitnc.com |language=en |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208000547/https://www.visitnc.com/listing/Q5Ds/andrews-geyser |url-status=live }}</ref> Davidson's Fort Historic Park, a nonprofit organization, has reconstructed [[Davidson Fort]], the Revolutionary War and host re-enactments and educational activities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://davidsonsforthistoricpark.com/ |access-date=December 7, 2022 |website=davidsonsforthistoricpark.com |archive-date=December 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204011808/https://davidsonsforthistoricpark.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The state operates the [[Mountain Gateway Museum and Heritage Center]] which depicts local traditions and lifestyles from the 18th century through the 20th century <ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /> The Old Fort Train Depot features a railroad exhibit.<ref name=":1" /> The historic [[Carson House (Marion, North Carolina)|Carson House]] museum is located nine miles east of Old Fort in McDowell County.<ref name=":2" />

=== Events and festivals ===
The Mountain Gateway Museum hosts Pioneer Day on the last Saturday in April.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Old Fort, NC |url=https://www.mcdowellchamber.com/communities/ |access-date=December 8, 2022 |website=McDowell Chamber of Commerce |language=en-US |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208000552/https://www.mcdowellchamber.com/communities/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The North Carolina Gold Festival is held the first Friday/Saturday in June, also on the grounds of Mountain Gateway Museum. Old Fort's Chamber of Commerce sponsors Octoberfest the first weekend in October on the grounds of Mountain Gateway Museum.<ref name=":6" />

=== Architecture ===
The [[Welsford Parker Artz House]] and [[Old Fort Commercial Historic District]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref><ref name="nps">{{cite web |date=May 6, 2011 |title=National Register of Historic Places Listings |url=http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/listings/20110506.htm |work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 4/25/11 through 4/29/11 |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=February 7, 2015 |archive-date=December 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228130726/http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/listings/20110506.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Arrowhead Monument]] was built in 1930 as a symbol of peace between the Iroquoian-speaking [[Cherokee people]] and Siouan-speaking [[Catawba people]].<ref name=":2" /> At the dedication ceremony, more than 6,000 attendees gathered at the town square to see the unveiling of the 14&nbsp;ft. rose granite arrowhead on a natural stone base.<ref name=":2" />

== Sports ==
Old Fort is the starting point for the annual [[Assault on Mount Mitchell]] mountain bike challenge.<ref name=":6" />

== Parks and recreation ==
In 2010, the [[North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission]] added Old Fort to their list of N.C. Mountain Heritage Trout Towns.<ref name=":2" /> In downtown Old Fort, the {{Convert|0.7|mi|km}} section of Mill Creek is a "delayed harvest stream."

The {{Convert|340|ft|m}} [[Catawba Falls]], the largest waterfall in McDowell County and the headwaters of the Catawba River, is located {{convert|4|mi|0}} southwest of the town and accessed by hiking trails.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":6" /> In 2009, the N.C. Department of Transportation, local county and town governments, the [[United States Forest Service]], and the local trails association collaborated to arrange for a portion of Old Highway 70, an old forest service road, to be reopened for bicycle and foot traffic.<ref name=":2" /> Point Lookout Trail is a popular paved greenway ascending almost 1,000 feet through the Swannanoa Gap in just under {{Convert|3.6|mi|km}}.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" />

== Government ==
Old Fort has six elected officials: the mayor, and five aldermen.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=June 22, 2016 |title=Contact / About |url=https://townofoldfort.org/contact/ |access-date=December 7, 2022 |website=Town of Old Fort |language=en-US |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208000551/https://townofoldfort.org/contact/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Infrastructure ==
[[U.S. Highway 70]] passes through the town as Main Street, and [[Interstate 40]] crosses the southern extent of the town, with access from Exits 72 (US 70) and 73 (Catawba Avenue).<ref name=":2" /> The Town of Old Fort operates a water and sewage system.<ref name=":7" />

== Notable people ==
* [[Annie Burgin Craig]] (1873–1955), First Lady of North Carolina

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Old Fort, North Carolina}}

{{McDowell County, North Carolina}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:North Carolina populated places on the Catawba River]]
[[Category:Towns in McDowell County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Towns in North Carolina]]