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Contact:
Kinsay Norris, Marketing Director
Phone: 828-264-1299
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
From
Daniel Boone to Eng and Chang, there have been some extremely
interesting characters that have lived in the High Country.
Perhaps
the High Country's most famous character is Daniel Boone.
Although Boone, NC is named for Daniel Boone, he wasn't born
nor did he die there. Daniel had a hunting cabin in Boone
and was often spotted there. The cabin was located where Appalachian
State University currently stands and there is a bronze sculpture
of Daniel on the campus commemorating his abode. The Horn
in the West outdoor drama depicts other contributions that
Daniel made in the Boone area including his involvement in
the settlement and the Revolutionary War.
While
the High Country isn't exactly known for being associated
with the "wild west" it harbored its share of well known shooters
and criminals. Frank James, brother of Jesse James, had friends
in the Avery County area around Newland and was said to have
hidden some of his ill-gotten loot in the surrounding mountains.
Additionally, Annie Oakley, herself, was once employed to
run the shooting range at Blowing Rock's former resort, Mayview
Manor.
From
the wild west to the far east, the High Country also was the
home to the famous Siamese twins, Chang and Eng, who spent
much of their adult life living near Wilkesboro. After touring
Europe and the U.S. for 10 years, the brothers settled in
Wilkesboro and became farmers. They married local sisters
Sallie and Adelaide Yates and the couples lived for many years
in the same house raising 21 children between them!
Wilkes
County is also the area where the legend of Tom Dooley took
place. Made famous by the ballad, "Hang Down Your Head, Tom
Dooley," the scandal that began with Tom Dula murdering his
girlfriend, Laura Foster, took place in the 1860s in the Ferguson
community. The Wilkes Jail where Tom was kept during the trial
is now a tourist attraction and a nearby museum, called Whippoorwill
Academy houses not only memorabilia but paintings on the life
of Tom Dula as well.
Of
course in the present day, many interesting characters have
passed through including Forrest Gump, who ran up Grandfather
Mountain in his movie. Other movies filmed in the High Country
include The Green Mile and Winter People.
The
High Country is located around Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner
Elk and West Jefferson in the six northwestern counties of
North Carolina. Best known for attractions including Grandfather
Mountain, Tweetsie Railroad and the Blue Ridge Parkway, the
High Country is also a popular spot for shopping, skiing,
outdoor activities and performing arts. For more information,
call the High Country Host at 800-438-7500 or visit www.mountainsofnc.com.
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