Polk County
… was formed in 1855 from Rutherford and Henderson Counties. Located in the SW section of the state, it is bounded by the state of South Carolina and by Henderson and Rutherford Counties. It was named for Col. William Polk (1758-1834), Revolutionary War officer who was, before his death, the last surviving field officer of the North Carolina line. Area: 235 sq. mi. County seat: Columbus, with an elevation of 1,145 ft. Townships are Columbus, Cooper Gap, Greens Creek, Saluda, Tryon, and White Oak. Produces corn, wheat, oats, hay, apples, lumber, cotton, livestock, hogs, textiles, and apparel.
