| Ashe County | was formed in 1799 from Wilkes County. In the NW corner of the state, it is bounded by the states of Tennessee and Virginia and by Alleghany, Wilkes, and Watauga Counties. It was named for Samuel Ashe (1725-1813), Revolutionary patriot, superior court judge, and governor of the state (1795-98). Area: 427 sq. mi. County seat: Jefferson, with an elevation of 2,900 ft. Townships are Chestnut Hill, Clifton, Creston, Elk, Grassy Creek, Helton, Horse Creek, Hurricane, Jefferson, Laurel, North Fork, Obids, Oldfields, Peak Creek, Pine Swamp, Piney Creek, Pond Mountain, Walnut Hill, and West Jefferson. Produces corn, tobacco, Christmas trees, rubber products, wood products, hay, dairy livestock, chemicals, textiles, hosiery, furniture, and electronics. Home to a cheese plant in West Jefferson. Copper and mica are mineral products, and the county has a potential for the production of stone, iron ore, and gem stones. |