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Community
Affairs |
HISTORY:
McDowell County was organized in 1843 in Carson House
(listed in National Register of Historic Places)
A stagecoach inn whose famous visitors included Davy Crockett,
Andrew Jackson and Sam Houston.
ALTITUDE:
Elevations from 900-5,665 ft. Marion - 1,240 ft.
AREA:
County - 436 sq. mi. Approx. 75% of land is forested, 67,000 acres of which is Pisgah National Forest lands. Lake James, the first lake on the Catawba River, was built in the 1920's and includes 150 miles of shoreline.
CLIMATE:
Average humidity: 62%.
Average annual rainfall: 52.32 in.
Frost-free growing season: 192 days.
Mean temperature: summer - 75 degrees; winter - 41.2 degrees.
POPULATION (2000):
Marion - 4,943 , Old Fort - 963, County - 42,151 Percent change, 1990-00:
+18%. Median age: 39.35 Density: 96.7 persons/sq. mi. [NC = 161.4 persons/sq.mi.]
Distribution of population by race:
· White-92.2% %
· Black-4.2%
· Hispanic-2.9%
· Other-0.7%
TAXES:
(each per $100 property valuation)
· County - .55
· Marion -.50
· Old Fort -.40
· 2% Fire District - 3 townships
Sales Tax: County-state combined: 7.0%
CHURCHES:
click here for the "places of worship" section
Over 150 Protestant churches
Predominantly Baptist
One Catholic church (Marion).
EDUCATION:
(click here for the "schools section")
Consolidated system (central office: 828-652-4535):
One high school, two junior highs, eight elementary, two pre-schools (ages
3-4).
McDowell County Chamber of Commerce
1170 W. Tate St. · Visitor Center/Rest Area - US 221
Marion, NC 28752
Tel. 652-4240 · Fax 659-9620
e-mail: chamber@wnclink.com
Old Fort Chamber of Commerce:
PO Box 1447
Corner of Main St./Catawba Ave.
Old Fort, NC 28762
Tel. 668-7223
Media List:
Newspapers (local):
McDowell News
652-3313/Fax 652-4769
22 N. Logan St., Marion NC 28752
Published daily Mon.-Fri.
News Bulletin of McDowell County
668-4783/Fax 668-4722
PO Box 638, Old Fort, NC 28762
Published weekly on Wed.
Newspapers (regional):
Asheville Citizen Times
800-800-4204/Fax 251-0585
PO Box 2090, Asheville NC 28802
Published daily, Mon.-Sun.
Charlotte Observer
800-532-5350
PO Box 32188, Charlotte, NC 28232
Published daily, Mon.-Sun.
Radio (local):
WBRM 1250 AM
652-9500/Fax 652-9700
137 N. Garden St., Marion, NC 28752
Radio (regional):
WMXF 104.3 FM
281-1043/Fax 659-9693
PO Box 16189, Asheville, NC
28816-0189
WTPT-FM
864-242-4660
223 W. Stone Ave., Greenville, SC 29602
WMNC-AM/WQXX-FM
437-0521
PO Drawer 969, Morganton, NC 28680
WKYK-AM/WTOE-AM
765-7441 or 800-949-3798
PO Box 744, Burnsville, NC 28714
Cable TV:
Country Cablevision
682-4706
1000 Pensacola Rd., Burnsville, NC 28714
Charter Communications
652-3818
PO Box 1290, Marion, NC 28752
Multivision Cable
652-1010
PO Box 249, Nebo, NC 28761
Police
Marion Police Department
Mika Elliott, Chief
PO Drawer 700
S. Main St.
Marion, NC 28752
Tel. 652-3231 · Fax 652-2977
McDowell County Law Enforcement Center
Jackie Turner, Sheriff (elected)
187 Spaulding Rd.
Marion, NC 28752
Tel. 652-4000 (bus. office) · Fax 652-8910
McDowell County Emergency Management
Carroll Hemphill, Director
10 E. Court St.
S. Garden St.
Marion, NC 28752
Tel. 652-7121
N.C. Highway Patrol
Allen Johnson, First Sergeant
NC 226, Marion, NC 28752
Tel. 652-2181 (bus. office) · Fax 652-3394
Old Fort Police Department
Tony Moore, Chief
PO Box 547
Catawba Ave.
Old Fort, NC 28762
Tel. 668-4244 · Fax 668-2007
Fire stations & EMS
Marion Fire Department
Jim Neal, Chief
PO Box 547
Corner of E. Court, N. Logan St.
Marion, NC 28752
Tel. 652-5201 (business office)
Ashford-North Cove Volunteer Fire Department
Route 3 Box 370
Marion, NC 28752
Telephone:
Emergency: 911
Business: 828-756-4704
Dysartsville Volunteer Fire Department
P.O. Box 1236
Marion, NC 28752-1236
Telephone:
Emergency: 911
Business: 828-652-8537
Glenwood Volunteer Fire Department
P.O. Box 39
Marion, NC 28752
Telephone:
Emergency: 911
Business: 828-738-4666
Marion Fire Department
Drawer 700
Marion, NC 28752
Telephone:
Emergency: 911
Business: 828-652-5201
McDowell Co. Rescue Squad
P.O. Box 883
Marion, NC 28752-0883
Telephone:
Emergency: 911
Business: 828-652-6033
McDowell County EMS
10 East Court St.
Marion, NC 28752-4024
Telephone:
Emergency: 911
Business: 828-652-3982
Nebo Volunteer Fire Department
P.O. Box 425
Nebo, NC 28761
Telephone:
Emergency: 911
Business: 828-652-2209
Old Fort Volunteer Fire Department
P.O. Box 743
Old Fort, NC 28762
Telephone:
Emergency: 911
Business: 828-668-4952
P.G. Volunteer Fire Department
P.O. Box 988
Marion, NC 28752
Telephone:
Emergency: 911
Business: 828-724-4524
Sugar Hill/Montford Cove Volunteer Fire Department
121 Ledford Lane
Marion, NC 28752
Telephone:
Emergency: 911
Business: 828-738-3100
The Crooked Creek Township Volunteer Fire Department
P.O. Box 1927
Old Fort, NC 28762
Telephone:
Emergency: 911
Business: 828-668-7537
Woodlawn-Sevier Volunteer Fire Department
P.O. Box 1003
Marion, NC 28752
Telephone:
Emergency: 911
Business: 828-756-4965
McDowell County Emergency Management
Carroll Hemphill, Director
10 E. Court St.
S. Garden St.
Marion, NC 28752
Tel. 652-7121
Hospitals, clinics and ems
McDowell County Health Department
140 Spaulding Road
Marion, NC 28752
Phone: (828) 652-6811
Fax: (828) 652-9376
More information will be added about the McDowell County Health Department
as information is provided.
See our web-site
N.C. Health Choice (NCHC)
Iis a fee-for-service program providing free or low-cost health insurance
for children and teens up to their 19th birthday. The benefits covered by
NCHC are the same as the benefits covered by the State Employees Health Plan.
Vision, dental, and hearing services are also covered and follow the same
guidelines as Medicaid.
The McDowell Hospital
P.O. Box 730
430 Rankin Dr.
Marion, NC 28752
ph. 828.659.5000
fx. 828.652.1626
www.mcdhospital.org/
Blue Ridge Health Care System
We are Grace
and Valdese
Hospitals and our affiliates
working together to improve the delivery of
healthcare services to the communities we serve.
The McDowell Hospital
P.O. Box 730
430 Rankin Dr.
Marion, NC 28752
ph. 828.659.5000
fx. 828.652.1626
http://www.mcdhospital.org/
Mountain AHEC
Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center
301 Tabernacle Road
Black Mountain, NC 28711
Tel: (828) 669-3403
FAX: (828) 669-3451
Cindy Pressley, Staff Dev. Director
The McDowell Hospital
430 Rankin Avenue
Marion, NC 28752
Tel: (828) 659-5100
FAX: (828) 652-1626
Imogene Poole, V.P., Operations
Black Mountain Center
Old Highway 70
Black Mountain, NC 28711
Tel: (828) 669-3174
FAX: (828) 669-3172
Ron Lofts, Director, Staff Dev.
Patty McCoy, Staff Dev.
Rutherford Hospital, Inc.
288 South Ridgecrest Avenue
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Tel: (828) 286-5000
Fax: (828) 286-5207
Judy Shapiro, Eduaction Director
St. Joseph's Hospital
428 Biltmore Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801
Tel: (828) 255-3868
FAX: (828) 255-3057
Nancy Rankins, Education Secretary Tom Macklin, Director of Human Resources
Spruce Pine Community Hospital
125 Hospital Drive
P.O. Box 9
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Tel: (828) 765-4201
Fonda Harris, Human Resources Dept. Manager
FAX: (828) 765-8519 or -0824
Hot Springs Health Program
170 Carl Eller Rd.
P.O. Box 909
Mars Hill, NC 28754
Tel: (828) 689-3491
FAX: (828) 689-3496
John Estes, Executive Director
Veterans Administration Medical Center
Medical Library (142D)
1100 Tunnel Road
Asheville, NC 28805
Tel: (828) 298-7911
FAX: (828) 299-2500
Peggy Patterson, Librarian
Mission St. Joseph's Hospital
509 Biltmore Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801
Tel: (828) 213-1111
Tel: (828) 213-1806 Community Outreach FAX: (828) 213-1806
Bruce Handley, Director, Communiy Outreach
Places of worship
We at askMcdowell.com are actively collecting data
for places of worship as of:
January 3, 2004
Schools
EDUCATION:
Consolidated system (central office: 828-652-4535):
One high school, two junior highs, eight elementary, two pre-schools (ages
3-4).
McDowell Tech.Community College, tel. 652-6021: Two-year associate degree
programs; also continuing adult education courses and transfer program to
four-year schools.
Within 1.5 hrs. State universities:
University of N.C - Asheville; Western Carolina Univ. - Cullowhee
Appalachian State Univ. - Boone.
Private colleges (4-yr.):
Brevard College - Brevard
Gardner-Webb University - Boiling Springs
Lees-McRae College - Banner Elk
Lenoir-Rhyne College - Hickory
Mars Hill College - Mars Hill
Montreat College - Montreat
McDowell
County Schools:
Tel. 828-652-4535
Consolidated system: one high school, two junior highs, eight elementary,
two pre-schools.
Enrollments: (2000-2001)
Public - 6,359 · Private - 457
Per pupil funding: (1999-2000) $6,416 $6,654
SAT scores (2000):
Math: (County) 507 * (NC) 496 * (US) 514
Verbal: 495 * 492 * 505
Total: 1002 * 988 * 1019
SAT scores (2001):
Math: (County) 501 * (NC) 499 * (US) 514
Verbal 497 * 493 * 506
Total 998 * 992 * 1020
SAT scores (2002):
Math (County) 514 * (NC) 505 * (US) 516
Verbal 484 * 493 * 504
Total 998 * 998 * 1020
% Students Tested, 2002: McDowell - 51.7% * N.C. - 67.0% * U.S.- 46.0%
Accelerated Learning Center
Amy Cornett, Director
81 South Main Street
Marion, NC 28752
828-652-1040
Eastfield Elementary
School
Mike Ayers, Principal
170 Eastfield School Road
Marion, NC 28752
828-652-3730
East McDowell
Junior High School
Nancy Guthrie, Principal
676 State Street
Marion, NC 28752
828-652-7711
Glenwood Elementary
School
Lynn McNeilly, Principal
1545 Old Highway 221S
Marion, NC 28752
828-738-4220
Marion Elementary
School
Jim Washburn, Principal
209 Robert Street
Marion, NC 28752
828-652-2141
McDowell High
School
Bill Chapman, Principal
600 McDowell High School Road
Marion, NC 28752
828-652-7920
Nebo Elementary
School
Joyce Poplin, Principal
254 Nebo School Road
Nebo, NC 28761
828-652-4737
North
Cove Elementary School
Vickie Yarbrough, Principal
324 North Cove School Road
Marion, NC 28752
828-756-4342
Old Fort Elementary
School
Pat Faulkner, Principal
128 Mauney Avenue
Old Fort, NC 28762
828-668-7646
Pleasant Gardens
Elementary School
Vicki Webb, Principal
100 John Roach Drive
Marion, NC 28752
828-724-4422
West Marion Elementary
School
Candie McPherson, Principal
820 Marler Road
Marion, NC 28752
828-738-3353
West McDowell
Junior High School
Larry Ramsey, Principal
346 West McDowell Junior High Road
Marion, NC 28752
828-652-3390
McDowell Technical Community College:
Tel. 828-652-6021
Two-year associate degree programs
Also continuing adult education courses and transfer program to four-year
schools.
Within 1.5 hrs.: • State universities:
University of N.C - Asheville
Western Carolina Univ. - Cullowhee
Appalachian State Univ. - Boone.
Private Colleges:
(4-yr.): Brevard College - Brevard
Gardner-Webb University - Boiling Springs Lees-McRae College - Banner Elk
Lenoir-Rhyne College - Hickory
Mars Hill College - Mars Hill
Montreat College - Montreat
College Foundation of North Carolina "Helping You Plan, Apply and Pay
for College"
This service of the state of North Carolina offers links to N.C. colleges
and on-line applications, career research, tax-free college savings account
set up, and opportunities for scholarships, grants, loans and financial aid
specialists. On the web at www.cfnc.org or toll-free 866-866-CFNC (2362).
McDowell County Public Library
Tel. 828-652-3858
government offices
Local Government:
City of Marion
Town of Old Fort
County of McDowell
Local Business Associations:
Marion Downtown Business Assoc
McDowell Economic Development Assoc
Old Fort Chamber of Commerce
State Agencies:
Office of State Planning
NC Dept. of Commerce
NC Employment Security Commission (wage
rates and more)
NC Dept. of Labor
NC Dept. of Transportation
NC State Government
NC Sec of State
McDowell County Chamber of Commerce
1170 W. Tate St.
Marion, NC 28752
Tel. 828-652-4240 / Fax 828-659-9620
email: chamber@wnclink.com
Old Fort Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 1447
Corner of Main St./Catawba Ave.
Old Fort, NC 28762
Tel. 668-7223
County-Board of Commissioners & Manager - tel. 828-652-7121.
Marion City Council, Mayor & Manager - tel. 828-652-3551.
Old Fort-Board of Alderman & Mayor - tel. 828-668-4244.
Local Government:
City of Marion:
Robert Boyette, Manager
PO Drawer 700. City Hall Bldg.
200 N. Main St.
Marion, NC 28752
Tel. 652-3551 / Fax 652-1983
McDowell County:
Charles "Chuck" Abernathy, Manager
10 E. Court St.
County Administration Bldg.
Marion, NC 28752
Tel. 652-7121 · Fax 659-3484
e-mail: charlesa@mcdowell.main.nc.us
Old Fort Town Hall:
PO Box 520
102 S.Catawba Ave.
Old Fort, NC 28762
Tel. 668-4244 · Fax 668-2007
McDowell County JobLink Career Center
Jerry Broome, Coordinator
35 S. Main St., Marion, NC 28752
Tel. 659-6001 · Fax 659-8733
e-mail: jbroome@joblink.mcdowell.cc.nc.us
McDowell Economic Development Association
Chuck Abernathy, Director
PO Box 1289
15 S. Garden St.
Marion, NC 28752
Tel. 652-9313 · Fax 652-8775
e-mail: meda@mcdowell.main.nc.us
web site: www.mcdowellnc.org/meda
McDowell Tourism Development Authority
Michael Rouse, Director
PO Box 1028
Visitor Center/Rest Area - US 221
Marion, NC 28752
Tel. 652-1103 · Fax 652-3384
e-mail: tourism@mcdowell.main.nc.us
web site: www.mcdowellnc.org/tda.htm
Small Business Center
McDowell Technical Community College
Dean Kanipe, Director
54 College Dr.
Marion, NC 28752
Tel. 652-6021 · Fax 659-8038
Marion Downtown Business Association
Freddie Killough, Director
PO Drawer 700
10 C South Main St.(upstairs)
Marion, NC 28752
Tel. 652-2215 · Fax 652-9171
email: MarionDBA@mcdowell.main.nc.us
web site: www.mcdowellnc.org/dba.htm
utilities
SERVICES:
Animal Shelter .............................652-6643
Auto/Tag Registration ......................652-5208
Community Building (Marion) ................652-3551
Driver's License ...........................652-5828
Electricity:
Duke Power ...............................652-3211
Rutherford Elec. Membership Corp .........652-2136
Employment Security Commission .............652-7131
Health Department ..........................652-6811
Mental Health Dept .........................652-5444
Recreation Department ......................652-3001
Schools-District Office ....................652-4535
McDowell Tech. Community College..........652-6021
Telephone (GTE): ...........................800-483-4300
Water & Sewer Dept.:
Marion ...................................652-3551
Old Fort .................................668-7112
(Asheville) AskBuncombeNc,
Contact
Jason DeWitt at askCounty.com,
Inc.
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