Burke County
… was formed in 1777 from Rowan County. Located in the W central section of the state, it is bounded by Catawba, Cleveland, Rutherford, McDowell, Avery, and Caldwell Counties. It was named for Thomas Burke (1744-83), member of the Continental Congress and governor of North Carolina. Area: 517 sq. mi. County seat: Morganton, with an elevation of 1,182 ft. Townships are Drexel, Icard, Jonas Ridge, Linville, Lovelady, Lower Creek, Lower Fork, Morganton, Quaker Meadow, Silver Creek, Smoky Creek, Upper Creek, and Upper Fork. Produces corn, soybeans, hay, oats, wheat, poultry, medical supplies, baked goods, textiles, furniture, sand, gravel, and mica.
