Highlands, North Carolina

Highlands is an incorporated town located on a plateau in the southern Appalachian mountains, within the Nantahala National Forest, in Macon County, North Carolina (a small annexed portion also being in neighboring Jackson County). As of the 2000 census, the town had a year-round population of 909, but the population swells to 10,000-15,000 during the season from spring to fall.

[edit] History of the town

Highlands, North Carolina was founded in 1875 after its two founders, Samuel Truman Kelsey and Clinton Carter Hutchinson drew lines from Chicago, Illinois to Savannah and from New Orleans to Baltimore. They felt that the the place where these lines met would eventually become a great trading center and commercial crossroads.^[2]

In the 1930s the town became a golfing mecca when Bobby Jones of Atlanta and some of his well-heeled golfing buddies founded the Highlands Country Club.^{[citation needed]} Today that club is one of seven successful residential country club communities. That particular "Highlands Country Club" is south of Highlands on North Carolina Route 106, known to locals as the "Dillard Road."

[edit] Geography

Highlands is located at 35°3′15″N, 83°12′8″W (35.054129, -83.202351)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the community has a total area of 6.2 square miles (16.0 km²), of which, 6.1 square miles (15.7 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (1.94%) is water.

The town's official elevation is 4118 feet, making it one of the highest altitude as well as the coolest (during the summer months) of all towns in the southern United States. The annual rainfall approaches 90 inches due to the orographic lifting effect of storms coming from the lower elevations to the west. This rainfall and, counterintuitively, the abundant sunshine, create a lush and verdant microclimate which delights botanists.

[edit] Climate

Highlands owes its cooler weather to the fact that it straddles the Eastern Continental Divide, giving it a much higher elevation above mean sea level at just over 4100ft. Because of this, it also receives quite a bit of precipitation (averaging nearly 90 inches a year), mainly as rain but also a few snows scattered throughout the winter. This climate is what attracts the tourists.

[edit] Economy

[edit] Tourism

Tourism in Highlands is mostly seasonal (generally March through November), with the community drawing Southerners from the oppressive heat and humidity of their flat-land Florida, Georgia, South Carolina. Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana summers. Highlands's hottest month of the year is July which averages at 78 degrees, and the July average overnight low is 57 degrees. ^[3].

The town is dotted with many antique dealers, a well-known auction house, restaurants (six of which have received awards from Wine Spectator), shops, inns, as well as several buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. There are four theaters: The Highlands Playhouse^[4] (founded in 1938), the Instant Theatre Company^[5] (founded in 1981), the Highlands Community Players^[6] (founded in 1995), and the Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center ^[7], which hosts touring groups.

[edit] Public utilities

Cable television services for the city of Highlands are contracted to Northland Cable TV^[8] or Highlands Cable Group. Verizon South DSL is available as well as all satellite radio and television.

[edit] Public School

There is one public K-12 School in the town, "Highlands School".

[edit] Public Library

There is one public library in the town, the Hudson Library.

[edit] Recreation in Highlands

[edit] Hiking

Many people love to experience the spectacular trails that Highlands has to offer. As Highlands is in such a mountainous area, there are many ideal places to hike. With Highlands being home to various waterfalls, many hiking trails lead to a waterfall; Glen Falls is an example, with its beautiful scenery alongside the roaring falls.

[edit] Waterfalls

Waterfalls near Highlands:

[edit] Fishing

One other great activity to try is the local fishing. Harris Lake is a good spot for in town fishing. Be sure to stay off of the private fishing grounds.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 909 people, 445 households, and 253 families residing in the community. The population density was 150.0 people per square mile (57.9/km²). There were 1,713 housing units at an average density of 282.7/sq mi (109.1/km²). The racial makeup of the community was 98.46% White, 0.11% Asian, 0.88% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.97% of the population.

There were 445 households out of which 18.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.1% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.66.

In the town the population was spread out with 16.4% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 19.9% from 25 to 44, 33.4% from 45 to 64, and 24.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.5 males.

Highlands is know for its calming view of the beautiful hilltops.

The median income for a household in the community was $33,750, and the median income for a family was $46,875. Males had a median income of $31,964 versus $20,662 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,120. About 4.2% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Nearby Towns

In North Carolina

In Georgia

[edit] Further reading

Good Reading Material, Mostly Bound and New: The Hudson Library, 1884-1994 by Randolph P. Shaffner

Publisher: Hudson Library of Highlands, North Carolina

ISBN: 0-9640078-3-5 A written history of the town library.

Heart of the Blue Ridge Highlands, North Carolina by Randolph P. Shaffner

Publisher: Faraway Publishing (2004)

ISBN: 0-9710130-3-9 A written history of the town of Highlands, NC from its foundation to the publication of this book.

[edit] External links

Governmental

Official website of Highlands, NC

Visitor Information

Current Events

Maps

Highlands, North Carolina is at coordinates 35°03′15″N 83°12′09″W / 35.054129, -83.202351Coordinates: 35°03′15″N 83°12′09″W / 35.054129, -83.202351

v • d • e Municipalities and communities of Jackson County, North Carolina
County seat: Sylva
Towns and Village	Forest Hills \| Glenville \| Highlands \| Sylva	Image:North Carolina Map Highlighting Jackson County.PNG
Communities	Balsam \| Dillsboro \| Webster \| Whittier
CDPs	Cashiers \| Cullowhee

v • d • e Municipalities and communities of Macon County, North Carolina
County seat: Franklin
Towns	Franklin \| Highlands	Image:North Carolina Map Highlighting Macon County.PNG

[edit] References

^ Highlands Chamber of Commerce website
^ An exhibit at the Highlands Historical Village
^ [1]
^ [2]
^ [3]
^ [4]
^ [5]
^ Sitemap for Northland Cable TV website

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Categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements since October 2007 | Settlements established in 1875 | Macon County, North Carolina | Towns in North Carolina

Highlands, North Carolina

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