Life in the foothills and mountainsides of the Blue Ridge Mountains continues at a slower pace than most of the world. Today, hours and days move quickly through our lives. Many people have lost connections with their past and their family histories. Not here. In our special region of the western North Carolina mountains, including areas along the Blue Ridge Parkway, local culture and traditions are treasured and remembered.
We wanted to help in preserving that heritage and decided to help by creating an oral history of McDowell County. Most people don't know where that is, but if you know where Asheville, Boone, Chimney Rock and Hickory are located...well, we're right in the middle of them! Boone is to the north, Hickory to the east, Chimney Rock to the south and Asheville a few miles west.
Listen to stories about Charlie McKinney at the Orchard at Altapass, find out why the orchard is an important part of our railroad history and how it was saved from development. You'll learn about local musical traditions, crafts and learn about some traditions involving local foods.
Visit the unique Blue Ridge Mountain community of Little Switzerland as they celebrate their 100th birthday. Special events take place there throughout the summer. On the McDowell History site, listen to stories describing how this small tourist colony was founded in 1910. You'll also enjoy listening to to railroad tales and stories not told in history books. Challenging terrain, posed by the mountains and gaps along the ridges of the Altapass Community, resulted in a train route featuring stunning loops and switchbacks as did the landscape just outside Old Fort with the ascension to the Swannanoa Gap. Sit back, click, relax...create your personalized tour and explore our spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains and valleys. Meet the people who've created a sustainable way of life and an artistic culture using the resources of the mountains to produce their special forms of art, craft and music. Click on www.mcdowellhistory.com.
More details on Little Switzerland are found here. http://www.littleswitzerlandnc.com
Learn about the secrets and jewels of McDowell County in Western North Carolina. 
