Sylva celebrates its 125th anniversary
The Town of Sylva is celebrating its 125th year since incorporation. To mark the occasion, a slate of activities are planned for Oct. 10-11. The celebration pays homage to the history of the town.
“The activities are all things that would have happened in 1889,” explained Sylva Town Manager Paige Roberson.
Crafting the future — Dillsboro at 125
Joe Frank McKee knows what Dillsboro is capable of. “It’s a fighting town,” he said. “There are more craftsmen involved here these days, which means if you’re making your product and selling your product, you have more of a reason to fight.”
Co-owner of Tree House Pottery on Front Street in downtown Dillsboro, McKee and his business partner, Travis Berning, have spent the last 11 years setting down roots and investing in what has become a premier pottery establishment in Southern Appalachia. And as the town itself celebrates its 125th birthday on Sept. 6, many businesses within the community are reflecting on a storied past, an uncertain present, and a hopeful future.
The institution on the corner
The Jarrett House has stood in Dillsboro since 1884. Since before Dillsboro was Dillsboro.
Celebrating the 125th
The town of Dillsboro, established in 1889, was named after William Allen Dills, a Confederate veteran who was born nearby. The town is located on the site of Dills’ farm.
Prior to the town’s establishment, the area was beginning to grow due to the railroad and tourism. Around the turn of the century the town boasted more than 700 residents.
Rooted in history, growing into the future: Dillsboro celebrates its past while working toward a better future
Dillsboro sits at the crossroads of U.S. 441 and N.C. 23. Nestled between the past and future, it is a town that continues to evolve.
“I think it’s just a classic, old American town. Laid-back,” said Jim Hartbarger, sitting in the parlor of the Jarrett House.
SEE ALSO: WCU lends Dillsboro a hand | Celebrating the 125th | The institution on the corner
The ‘Cullowhee idea’: Cullowhee institution traces evolution from a rural schoolhouse to regional powerhouse
It’s August, freshman move-in day, and Western Carolina University is welcoming a new class of freshmen to campus. It’s what WCU Chancellor David Belcher calls a “huge day.”
“We’ve got students coming in right and left,” says Belcher.
One of those students is Kailey Spencer. She plans to study forensics and is looking forward to the lab work.
