North Carolina boasts of its rich history, agriculture, unique desserts, and running events. I explored three beautiful counties in North Carolina – Wilkesboro, Dobson, and Yadkinville. Wilkesboro is known for its moonshine heritage, and the Wilkesboro Speedway, which will host NASCAR’s all-star race this May. Dobson is the home of the largest winery in North Carolina, Shelton Vineyards, and is known for Sonker, a unique dessert. Yadkinville has a modern courthouse, but the most spectacular building in town is a huge Cultural Arts Center. North Carolina also has exciting running events such as the Mt. Hope Church 5K.
Exploring North Carolina: A Tour of Taylorsville and Wilkesboro
On a chilly Wednesday morning, I embarked on a road trip to explore more of North Carolina. Armed with my notebook, iPad, oversized Road Atlas, and layered running clothes, I headed north, unsure if it was the right direction given the low temperature of 25 degrees. Nevertheless, I pressed on and was rewarded with a wonderful adventure.
Taylorsville, Alexander County
My first stop was Taylorsville, the county seat of Alexander County, nestled in the foothills of the Brushy Mountains. The town was founded in 1847 and named after General Zachary Taylor, who was then fighting in the Mexican American War.
The downtown area was a pleasant surprise, with light traffic and a good mix of old and new architecture. The premier building in town was the old jail built in 1913, which now houses some city offices and a small museum about the jailers who served there. The courthouse was modern and featured murals that honored those who died in the military from the Civil War to the present. There were also murals that highlighted the town’s little league area and the Alexander Railroad Line that carried freight from Statesville to Taylorsville.
But the most unique thing I saw was a community blessing box, built into the side of a free meal site, similar to those “leave a book, take a book” stands. The sign read, “Take what you need, leave what you can, above all, feel blessed.” It was filled with bread and canned goods.
Wilkesboro, Wilkes County
My next stop was Wilkesboro, the county seat of Wilkes County, which had a beautiful downtown area dominated by the spectacular old courthouse, built in 1902, and the Smithey Hotel, built in 1891. Both buildings are still in use, with the courthouse housing the Wilkes Heritage Museum and the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame. The Smithey Hotel features a wrap-around porch on the first two floors and is now home to several retail businesses on the first floor.
The Brown-Cowles house, dating from the 1830s, is the oldest known house in Wilkesboro, complete with a slave kitchen and curing house. There is also a fantastic mural of Doc Watson, the local musician who helped to start Merlefest, a four-day music festival that hosts 80,000 attendees.
By late morning, I was feeling hungry and stopped by Mr. Toro Mexican Bakery, where I tried an unusual baked good called a “corn cookie” – a cross between a hard biscuit and cookie. It wasn’t sweet but still delicious, and at a dollar each, it was a bargain.
Overall, my North Carolina adventure was a success, and I was glad I braved the chilly weather to explore two beautiful counties.
Exploring More of North Carolina: A Tour of Wilkesboro, Dobson, and Yadkinville
Wilkesboro is a small town in Wilkes County, North Carolina, that is known for its rich history and moonshine heritage. The town has multiple walking tours, and most of the historic sites are close together, many on Main Street. In addition to its historic sites, Wilkesboro is also home to the Wilkesboro Speedway, where some of the local moonshine drivers showcased their racing skills. NASCAR’s all-star race will be held there this May.
My next stop was Dobson, the county seat of Surry County, where I visited the largest winery in North Carolina, Shelton Vineyards. The area is heavily agricultural with corn, soybeans, and tobacco. Dobson is also known for Sonker, a unique dessert thought to originate nearby in the mid-1800s. Similar to a cobbler, it is made with dough and fruit or sweet potato. Although there is actually a “Sonker Trail” with eight restaurants that serve it, none are actually in the current town of Dobson. Disappointed, I stopped for pizza slices at New York Pizza and talked with Tom Nelson and Tiggy Garrett.
Next up was Yadkinville, the county seat of Yadkin County, which was formed in 1850 and named after the Yadkin River that forms the northern and eastern boundaries of the county. The town has a modern courthouse, but the most spectacular building in town is a huge Cultural Arts Center. The town has dedicated most of a block to the center, art studios, and related businesses.
In addition to its historic sites and unique desserts, North Carolina also boasts of its running events. The Mt. Hope Church 5K will be held on Saturday, March 25. Check out other events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org.
Overall, my North Carolina adventure was a success, and I was glad I got to explore three beautiful counties.
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