Plenty of things to do in Old Fort, NC

Plenty of things to do in Old Fort, NC

The best place to start a tour of this historic town is at the Mountain Gateway Museum near the center of town and along Mill Creek. The museum is actually the old community center, built in 1937 as a WPA project. The museum visit is open every day, and it’s free.

In the town square stands a 30-foot granite sculpture of an arrowhead. The landmark was unveiled in 1930 as a symbol of peace achieved between the town and the Native Americans. Here the chiefs of the Cherokee and Catawba Indian tribes smoked a peace pipe, marking the first time the enemy tribes had ever peacefully come together.

Just beyond the marker is the old yellow depot, which also serves as a small railroad museum and houses the Chamber of Commerce.

The town has a few cozy diners — the Whistle Stop, which serves pizza, and D&B’s Cafe, which is open for breakfast and lunch.

Thomas Wolfe fans will want to make a stop at the Old Fort Cemetery on Cemetery Road, just off Main Street, to see one of the Wolfe angel statues. Wolfe’s father lost a marble angel (imported from the famous Carrara Marble Works in Italy) to an Old Fort resident in a poker game. The angel now rests on the grave of an Old Fort resident. According to Michael Rouse, director of McDowell County Tourism, this angel may be the one that Wolfe placed in American literature.

This sleepy little town of less than 1,000 residents hosts hundreds of visitors each week for its Mountain Music. Every Friday night, about 7 p.m., people gather for music making and dancing in the hall beside the Fire Department. And on the weekend, you’ll also find some tasty fish and fried potatoes served from Mr. Gene’s Fish Stand across from the depot.

Contact McDowell County Tourism, P.O. Box 1028, Marion, NC 28752. www.mountaintreasures.net

Things to see & do:

• The Mountain Gateway Museum is open 9a.m.- 5p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and 2p.m. -5p.m. on Sunday and Monday. The site includes a picnic area, amphitheater, two pioneer-era long cabins, all located on the banks of Mill Creek, a tributary of the Catawba River. (828) 668-9259.

• Andrews Geyser: From Old Hwy 70, follow the sign to Mill Creek Road.

• Old Fort Picnic Area: Old Hwy 70, just before Mill Creek Road on the left. Sheltered picnic area near a stream and two hiking trails, maintained by the U.S. Forest Service.

• Railroad Museum, Old Fort Chamber of Commerce and Town Hall: (828) 668-4244

Lodging

• The Inn at Old Fort: (828) 668-9384.

• The Inn on Mill Creek: (828) 668-1115 or check www.inn-on-mill-creek.com for a view of the waterfall, four suites in the main house and three new suites that are situated on the lake. The orchards that surround the inn supply fresh apples, peaches, blueberries and blackberries for the guests.

Campgrounds

• Catawba Falls Campground, (828) 668-4831.

• Curtis Creek Campground, U.S. Forest Service, (828) 652-2144