Buncombe County
… was formed in 1791 from Burke and Rutherford Counties. Located in the W section of the state, it is bounded by McDowell, Henderson, Haywood, Madison, and Yancey Counties. Named for Col. Edward Buncombe (1742-78), a Revolutionary War soldier. Area: 770 sq. mi. County seat: Asheville, with an elevation of 2,216 ft. Townships are Asheville, Avery Creek, Black Mountain, Broad River, Fairview, Flat Creek, French Broad, Ivy, Leicester, Limestone, Lower Hominy, Reems Creek, Sandy Mush, Swannanoa, and Upper Hominy. Produces tobacco, corn, cattle, printed products, engines, cutlery, wine, apparel, electronics, textiles, nursery products, lumber, and crushed stone. Rep. Felix Walker (1753-1828), in "speaking for Buncombe," gave rise to term "bunk."
