McDowell County
… was formed in 1842 from Rutherford and Burke Counties. Located in the W central section of the state, it is bounded by Burke, Rutherford, Henderson, Buncombe, Yancey, Mitchell, and Avery Counties. It was named for Maj. Joseph McDowell (1758-96) of Pleasant Gardens, who fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain and was a member of Congress and of the commission to settle the North Carolina-Tennessee line. Area: 447 sq. mi. County seat: Marion, with an elevation of 1,437 ft. Townships are Brackett, Crooked Creek, Dysartsville, Glenwood, Higgins, Marion, Montford Cove, Nebo, North Cove, and Old Fort. Produces corn, soybeans, dairy products, livestock, hogs, poultry, hay, honey, machinery, textiles, hosiery, furniture, paper boxes, limestone, and gravel.
