The joy of the weekly Mountain Music jamboree in Old Fort puts sparkle in the heart and a twinkle in the eyes of its thousand residents—and the crowds who join them from afar. For many years, travelers through these mountains looked for the familiar sight of Old Fort, which is still a welcoming stop with its 25-foot-tall, hand-carved arrowhead in front of the train depot. As one of the oldest towns in the region, it prides itself on historic roots and hard-earned regional peace.
Real estate in Old Fort is real estate in beautiful McDowell County, North Carolina. Here at the base of the Eastern Continental Divide off of I-40, choice property is everywhere. Houses for sale in Old Fort may be riverfront or homes for sale near Old Fort such as lakefront properties on Lake James, mountain properties in North Carolina, lush condos for sale near a verdant golf course in Western North Carolina, Ridgecrest houses for sale, Black Mountain houses for sale, houses in Reynolds and Chimney Rock Village, vacation homes in Gateway Mountain, Grant’s Mountain, Creston Development or Lake Lure real estate—all a hop, skip and a jump from the Friday night musical fun. Cabins for sale in Old Fort range from one-room second homes for weekend getaways to incredible, secluded, log executive homes—with breathtaking mountain views available in Old Fort.
Originally a fort built by the colonial militia before the Declaration of Independence, the settlement once served as the westernmost outpost of the early Thirteen Colonies. Many skirmishes between pioneer settlers and Native Americans took place along the banks of Mill Creek, which runs through the center of town. And, fact is, because of those olden-day fights, there is an old law still on the books that requires any traveler between Marion and Old Fort to notify the Constable of their intended trip and expected arrival time. If any traveler was late, it was assumed that they had run into trouble and a search party would be dispatched from the fort to rescue them! So we understand the importance of the large arrowhead that was built as a monument to hard-earned peace between the two peoples.
A tour could begin at the river-rock Mountain Gateway Museum in the center of town with a video revealing the story of the town's rich history. The museum displays the tools and other household items used by the pioneers and original log cabins. An invitation is open to the public to join the community every April for Pioneer Day when the exciting history of the area is presented by re-enactors.
The quaint, small town has a few small restaurants on Main Street and several small shops selling antiques, used goods and furniture. The photography displayed at John's Market is wonderful and the people are hometown friendly.
Just outside of town is a marvelous picnic area in the Pisgah National Forest. A ride down Mill Creek will bring you to Andrews Geyser. Fans of writer Thomas Wolfe must stop at the Old Fort Cemetery for a look at one of his angel statues.
The scenic railroad winds around and over the mountains for 14 miles. The seemingly impossible feat of running a railroad across the Blue Ridge at this point is thanks to the native talent of Major J. W. Wilson, the engineer, and the guiding genius of Col. A. B. Andrews. The Warren Wilson College and the Andrews Geyser, an aquatic wonder of the mountains, pay tribute to these gentlemen. The railroad museum tells the story. Today, there are plans afoot to resume passenger service through the scenic mountains and that is why you will be greeted by a freshly-restored railroad depot just as it was in the old days of steam engines and wooden cabooses. Outside, around the arrowhead monument, there are still the very same fresh, cool water fountains that have been in use for many generations. This is a refreshing, authentic step back in time.
In modern times, the rugged terrain is mastered during The Assault on Mount Mitchell, a bicycle race originating in Spartanburg, South Carolina that includes a grueling 11,000 feet of accumulated climbing through natural habitat, replete with wild cats and black bears! The race is a lifetime feat for those who retire after conquering its challenge.
For those who would enjoy a more subdued afternoon, several golf courses unfold their manicured hills and valleys within 20 minutes, including the Old Fort Golf Course, Marion Lake Club Golf Course, Blue Ridge Course, the breathtaking Mount Mitchell Course, Black Mountain Municipal Course, Apple Valley, and so forth. Friday night fiddlers have been known to trade their bows for putters the next day!
Join us in Old Fort—but be prepared to leave the busy world behind and find a slower, higher quality way of life at your doorstep every day.
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