Mount Jefferson State Natural Area
Encyclopedia
Mount Jefferson State Natural Area is a North Carolina state park in Ashe County
, North Carolina
in the United States
. Located near Jefferson, North Carolina
, it includes the peak of Mount Jefferson
, named for Thomas Jefferson
, who owned land nearby.
created a road enabling widespread access to Mount Jefferson
. Local citizens donated land and money in efforts to attain state park status for the local park, which required the park to have a minimum of 400 acres (1.6 km²). By 1956, their efforts yielded a 300 acres (1.2 km²) donation and raised enough funds to buy an additional 164 acre (0.66368504 km²) for the park. As a result, Mount Jefferson became a state park in October 1956.
and West Jefferson
. Park hours are limited by inclement weather, but otherwise open every day during the year with the exception of Christmas Day.
Ashe County, North Carolina
- History :Historical evidence shows that Ashe county was inhabited by Native Americans, which included the Cherokee, Creek, and Shawnee tribes. Pieces of broken pottery, arrowheads, and other Native American artifacts have been found, indicating their presence...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Located near Jefferson, North Carolina
Jefferson, North Carolina
Jefferson is a town in Ashe County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,422 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Ashe County.-History:...
, it includes the peak of Mount Jefferson
Mount Jefferson (North Carolina)
Mount Jefferson is a mountain located in Ashe County, North Carolina. The mountain is part of the Mount Jefferson State Natural Area. The mountain has an elevation of above sea level, and it sharply rises more than 1,600 feet above the towns of Jefferson, North Carolina and West Jefferson...
, named for Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
, who owned land nearby.
History
In 1939 the Works Progress AdministrationWorks Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
created a road enabling widespread access to Mount Jefferson
Mount Jefferson (North Carolina)
Mount Jefferson is a mountain located in Ashe County, North Carolina. The mountain is part of the Mount Jefferson State Natural Area. The mountain has an elevation of above sea level, and it sharply rises more than 1,600 feet above the towns of Jefferson, North Carolina and West Jefferson...
. Local citizens donated land and money in efforts to attain state park status for the local park, which required the park to have a minimum of 400 acres (1.6 km²). By 1956, their efforts yielded a 300 acres (1.2 km²) donation and raised enough funds to buy an additional 164 acre (0.66368504 km²) for the park. As a result, Mount Jefferson became a state park in October 1956.
Tourist information
The park has one main road that leads to the peak of Mount Jefferson. On the way up are two overlooks followed by hiking trails and a picnic shelter at the top. The mountain rises to more than 1600 feet (487.7 m) above the surrounding landscape and provides a bird's-eye view of both JeffersonJefferson, North Carolina
Jefferson is a town in Ashe County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,422 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Ashe County.-History:...
and West Jefferson
West Jefferson, North Carolina
West Jefferson is a town in Ashe County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,081 at the 2000 census.-History:West Jefferson was incorporated as a city in 1909, and it is the second-oldest incorporated town in Ashe County. West Jefferson has the distinction of having the only cheese...
. Park hours are limited by inclement weather, but otherwise open every day during the year with the exception of Christmas Day.
Nearby state parks
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Mount Jefferson State Natural Area:- Elk Knob State ParkElk Knob State ParkElk Knob State Park is an North Carolina state park in Watauga County, North Carolina, in the United States. Opened in 2003, it is one of North Carolina's newest state parks. Elk Knob State Park was established to preserve the natural state of Elk Knob, the second highest peak in Watauga County...
- Grandfather Mountain State Park
- Grayson Highlands State ParkGrayson Highlands State ParkGrayson Highlands State Park is located in Virginia, United States, adjacent to Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. The park lies within Jefferson National Forest. The park was established in 1965 and contains a total of 4,822 acres...
, VirginiaVirginiaThe Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there... - New River State ParkNew River State ParkNew River State Park is a North Carolina state park in Ashe County, North Carolina in the United States. Located near Jefferson, North Carolina, it covers over 2,200 acres in the protected New River watershed. The New River is, ironically, one of the oldest rivers in the United States...
- Stone Mountain State ParkStone Mountain State ParkStone Mountain State Park is a North Carolina state park in Alleghany and Wilkes Counties, North Carolina in the United States.-Size and location:Located in Wilkes and Alleghany counties of North Carolina, it covers 13,747 acres ....