A Brief History
Avery County is the 100th and last county formed in North Carolina in 1911, from portions of Mitchell, Watauga and Caldwell Counties. It is named for Waightstill Avery (1741-1819) who was a Colonel in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, a member of North Carolina state legislature, 1776, 1782-83, 1793, North Carolina State Attorney General, 1777-79; and a member of North Carolina state senate, 1796. It is characterized by rugged mountains including Grandfather Mountain, home to the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games & Gathering of Scottish Clans. It has the highest average elevation of any county in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, reaching that of 5,964 ft. above sea level. Approximately half of the county lies within the Pisgah National Forest. There are many wild trout streams and ski resorts located within its boundaries. The population in 2002 was 17,526. The county seat is Newland. 
Avery County's Search Engine
Pre-1911 County Boundaries
Current Avery County Map (269KB)
| Where to Write For Records | |
|---|---|
| Avery County Historical Museum P.O. Box 266 Newland, NC 28657 828-733-7111 or 765-4247 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it the museum Avery County Public Library |
Avery County Court House Avery County Registry of Deeds |
For Pre-1911 Records
Caldwell County
PO Box 1376
Lenoir, NC 28645
Phone 828-758-0161
Mitchell County
Crimson Laurel Way Administration Bldg.
Bakersville, NC 28705
Phone 828-688-2434
Watauga County
403 W. King St.
Boone, NC 28607-3531
Phone 828-264-1300
