North Carolina Highway 194
Encyclopedia
North Carolina Highway 194 is a primary state highway
in the state
of North Carolina
. Primarily in the High Country
, it runs from US 19E
, in Ingalls
, to the Virginia
state line, near Helton
.
going east, on a somewhat curvy stretch of road known as Three Mile Highway, to US 221
(locals going to or from Spruce Pine
take a shortcut on Mullin Hill Road). Being the first of three concurrences with US 221
, the routes go through the town of Crossnore
then separates. NC 194, from Crossnore to Elk Park
is relatively calm road (even a passing lane is available for southbound travelers between Newland
and Elk Park.
Between Elk Park and Vilas, the route becomes aggressively curvy, as it hugs the banks of the Elk River
(between Elk Park and Banner Elk
), the Craborchard Creek (from Watauga county line to Valle Crucis
), and the Watauga River
(in Valle Crucis). While in Banner Elk, the road will pass by the Elk River Airport, Lees–McRae College, and the ski resorts on Beech
and Sugar
.
From Vilas through Boone
, it is overlapped with US 421
; passing through the downtown area Boone and ASU
. It separates onto Jefferson Road, next to the New Market Shopping Center, and goes through another curvy drive through the community of Todd
.
Reconnecting with US 221
in Baldwin, the road is very open and uneventful till they split for the final time in West Jefferson
. NC 194 goes through the city of West Jefferson, passing by the only cheese factory in North Carolina. Connecting with NC 88
for a few miles till Warrensville
, NC 194 is solo for the last 13.4 miles (21.6 km) to the Virginia
state line. In Virginia, it becomes a smaller (no lines) secondary road called Rugby Road, which eventually connects to US 58.
Mission Crossing Byway is an 18 miles (29 km) byway from Elk Park to Vilas, passing through the town of Banner Elk and the communities of Heaton, Balm, and Valle Crucis. The route gets its name from the 1895 mission built in Valle Crucis by the Episcopal Church
, today it is used as a camp and conference center. The route is also noted for its back-road feel, a farm built in 1812, and the Mast General Store.
New River Valley Byway is an 32 miles (51.5 km) byway, split in two sections. The first section (18 miles (29 km)) is traversed by NC 194 from Boone to Baldwin, passing through the community of Todd. The section is noted for its Christmas tree farms, the North Fork New River
, a site of an Revolutionary War
engagement, and the Todd General Store. The second section is on NC 88
, between Jefferson and Laurel Springs.
!County
!Location
!Mile
!Destinations
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=6|Avery
|Ingalls
|0
|
|NC 194 begins
|-
|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|4
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|South end of US 221 overlap
|-
|Crossnore
|style="background:#ddffdd"|9
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|North end of US 221 overlap
|-
|Newland
|13
|
|
|-
|Elk Park
|style="background:#ddffdd"|18.5
|style="background:#ddffdd"|, Roan Mountain
|style="background:#ddffdd"|Brief 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) concurrency
|-
|Banner Elk
|style="background:#ddffdd"|25.5
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|Brief 0.4 mile (0.643736 km) concurrency; also to area ski resorts
|-
|rowspan=5|Watauga
|Valle Crucis
|33
|
|
|-
|Vilas
|style="background:#ddffdd"|37
|style="background:#ddffdd"| – Mountain City
|style="background:#ddffdd"|North end of US 321/421 overlap
|-
|rowspan=3|Boone
|style="background:#ddffdd"|42.7
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|South end of US 321 overlap
|-
|style="background:#ddffdd"|43
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|South end of US 221 overlap
|-
|style="background:#ddffdd"|43.5
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|North and south end of US 221 and 421 overlap
|-
|rowspan=5|Ashe
|Baldwin
|style="background:#ddffdd"|61.5
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|South end of US 221 overlap
|-
|rowspan=2|West Jefferson
|style="background:#ddffdd"|65
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|North end of US 221 overlap, south end of US 221 Bus. overlap
|-
|style="background:#ddffdd"|67
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|North end of US 221 Bus. overlap
|-
|Smethport
|style="background:#ddffdd"|68.5
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|East end of NC 88 overlap
|-
|Warrensville
|style="background:#ddffdd"|72
|style="background:#ddffdd"| – Trade
|style="background:#ddffdd"|West end of NC 88 overlap
|-
(then NC 19, currently US 221
/NC 226 split) to Newland
, then west to Minneapolis
(then NC 69
, currently US 19E
). In 1923, NC 194 abandoned Old Toe River Road (the original road that paralleled the ETWN "Tweetsie" Railroad
), going north instead to meet with then NC 69
near Elk Park
. An extension in 1924, has NC 194 replacing NC 694
to the Tenneessee state line in Elk Park.
In 1930, NC 194 switched with NC 69
, going north from Elk Park to Vilas. In 1932, NC 194 was replaced by US 221
/NC 28 from Woodlawn to Crossnore
; one year later (1933), it was overlapped with US 221
, then replaced NC 691 to its current southern terminus in Ingalls
.
NC 194 last extension happened in 1953, following US 421
from Vilas through Boone
, then replacing the old US 221
routing through Todd
. It then continued north through West Jefferson
, replacing NC 162 through Warrensville
to its current northern terminus at the Virginia
state line.
In the mid-1960, NC 194 was realigned onto new road between Newland and Elk Park, abandoning Blevins Creek Road.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in the state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
. Primarily in the High Country
Western North Carolina
Western North Carolina is the region of North Carolina which includes the Appalachian Mountains, thus it is often known geographically as the state's Mountain Region. It is sometimes included with upstate South Carolina as the "Western Carolinas", which is also counted as a single media market...
, it runs from US 19E
U.S. Route 19 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 19 in North Carolina traverses approximately across Western North Carolina; from the Georgia state line, at the community of Bellview, to the Tennessee state line, at the town of Elk Park. The designation from US 19 to U.S. Route 19E happens in Cane River, where US 19W splits from the...
, in Ingalls
Ingalls, North Carolina
Ingalls is an unincorporated community in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The community is located at the intersection of US 19-E and NC 194. The Avery County Airport is located two miles south from Ingalls, towards Spruce Pine....
, to the Virginia
Virginia
The 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...
state line, near Helton
Helton, North Carolina
Helton is an unincorporated community in Ashe County, North Carolina, east of Sturgills. It lies at an elevation of 2,730 feet ....
.
Route description
NC 194 begins in the community of IngallsIngalls, North Carolina
Ingalls is an unincorporated community in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The community is located at the intersection of US 19-E and NC 194. The Avery County Airport is located two miles south from Ingalls, towards Spruce Pine....
going east, on a somewhat curvy stretch of road known as Three Mile Highway, to US 221
U.S. Route 221 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 221 in North Carolina runs north–south from the South Carolina state line to the Virginia state line in Western North Carolina.-Route description:...
(locals going to or from Spruce Pine
Spruce Pine, North Carolina
Spruce Pine is a town in Mitchell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,175 at the 2010 census.-History:Spruce Pine was founded in 1907 when the Clinchfield Railroad made its way up the North Toe River from Erwin, Tennessee...
take a shortcut on Mullin Hill Road). Being the first of three concurrences with US 221
U.S. Route 221 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 221 in North Carolina runs north–south from the South Carolina state line to the Virginia state line in Western North Carolina.-Route description:...
, the routes go through the town of Crossnore
Crossnore, North Carolina
Crossnore is a town in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 242 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Crossnore is located at ....
then separates. NC 194, from Crossnore to Elk Park
Elk Park, North Carolina
Elk Park is a town in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The town was so named because of the number of Elk killed there. The population was 459 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Elk Park is located at ....
is relatively calm road (even a passing lane is available for southbound travelers between Newland
Newland, North Carolina
Newland is a town in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 704 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Avery County. Before its founding, the area was known as Old Fields or Old Fields of Toe. In 1911 it was renamed Newland, after North Carolina Lieutenant Governor...
and Elk Park.
Between Elk Park and Vilas, the route becomes aggressively curvy, as it hugs the banks of the Elk River
Elk River (North Carolina)
The Elk River is a large stream in the North Carolina High Country and East Tennessee. The headwaters begin from the Northwestern slopes of Peak Mountain in Avery County, North Carolina and end at the Watauga River in Carter County, Tennessee.-Hydrography:...
(between Elk Park and Banner Elk
Banner Elk, North Carolina
-Attractions:During summer time there is hiking, whitewater rafting, fishing, and other activities. The largest lake in the area, Watauga Lake, is a favorite spot just 30 minutes away for boating, fishing and wake boarding. In the winter the main event is skiing and snowboarding. There are two...
), the Craborchard Creek (from Watauga county line to Valle Crucis
Valle Crucis, North Carolina
Valle Crucis is an unincorporated community located in Watauga County, North Carolina, United States. The name of the town is Latin for "Vale of the Cross," a reference to a valley in the area where three streams converge to form a shape similar to an archbishop's cross...
), and the Watauga River
Watauga River
The Watauga River is a large stream of western North Carolina and East Tennessee. It is 60 miles long with its headwaters on the slopes of Grandfather Mountain and Peak Mountain in Watauga County, North Carolina.-Hydrography:...
(in Valle Crucis). While in Banner Elk, the road will pass by the Elk River Airport, Lees–McRae College, and the ski resorts on Beech
Beech Mountain (North Carolina)
For the incorporated town, see Beech MountainBeech Mountain is a mountain in the North Carolina High Country and wholly in the Pisgah National Forest. Its elevation reaches 5,506 feet and generates feeder streams for the Elk River. Nestled on the top is the Town of Beech...
and Sugar
Sugar Mountain (North Carolina)
Sugar Mountain is a mountain in the North Carolina High Country and wholly in the Pisgah National Forest. Its elevation reaches 5,236 feet and is split along the Eastern Continental Divide, generating feeder streams for the Linville, Elk, and North Toe rivers...
.
From Vilas through Boone
Boone, North Carolina
Boone is a town located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, United States. Boone's population was reported as 17,122, as of 2010...
, it is overlapped with US 421
U.S. Route 421 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 421 traverses approximately across North Carolina; from Fort Fisher, on a peninsula between the Atlantic and Cape Fear River, to the Tennessee state line near the community of Zionville....
; passing through the downtown area Boone and ASU
Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University is a comprehensive , public, coeducational university located in Boone, North Carolina, United States. Appalachian State, also referred to as Appalachian, App State, or simply App, is the sixth largest institution in the University of North Carolina system...
. It separates onto Jefferson Road, next to the New Market Shopping Center, and goes through another curvy drive through the community of Todd
Todd, North Carolina
Todd is an unincorporated community straddling the county lines of Watauga and Ashe counties in northwestern North Carolina on the South Fork of the New River. It lies at an elevation of 2,992 feet ....
.
Reconnecting with US 221
U.S. Route 221 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 221 in North Carolina runs north–south from the South Carolina state line to the Virginia state line in Western North Carolina.-Route description:...
in Baldwin, the road is very open and uneventful till they split for the final time in 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...
. NC 194 goes through the city of West Jefferson, passing by the only cheese factory in North Carolina. Connecting with NC 88
North Carolina Highway 88
North Carolina Highway 88 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Primarily in the High Country, it runs from the Tennessee state line, near Trade west to the NC 18 in Laurel Springs.-Route description:...
for a few miles till Warrensville
Warrensville, North Carolina
Warrensville is an unincorporated community at the intersection of North Carolina Highways 88 and 194 in Ashe County, North Carolina, United States, east of Comet. It lies at an elevation of 2,707 feet ....
, NC 194 is solo for the last 13.4 miles (21.6 km) to the Virginia
Virginia
The 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...
state line. In Virginia, it becomes a smaller (no lines) secondary road called Rugby Road, which eventually connects to US 58.
Scenic byways
NC 194 is part of two scenic byways in the state (indicated by a Scenic Byways sign). Both routes are not recommended for recreational vehicles or buses.Mission Crossing Byway is an 18 miles (29 km) byway from Elk Park to Vilas, passing through the town of Banner Elk and the communities of Heaton, Balm, and Valle Crucis. The route gets its name from the 1895 mission built in Valle Crucis by the Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
, today it is used as a camp and conference center. The route is also noted for its back-road feel, a farm built in 1812, and the Mast General Store.
New River Valley Byway is an 32 miles (51.5 km) byway, split in two sections. The first section (18 miles (29 km)) is traversed by NC 194 from Boone to Baldwin, passing through the community of Todd. The section is noted for its Christmas tree farms, the North Fork New River
North Fork New River
The North Fork New River is a river in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It rises in Northern Watauga County, and flows northeast to Ashe County where it joins with the South Fork New River to form the New River....
, a site of an Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
engagement, and the Todd General Store. The second section is on NC 88
North Carolina Highway 88
North Carolina Highway 88 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Primarily in the High Country, it runs from the Tennessee state line, near Trade west to the NC 18 in Laurel Springs.-Route description:...
, between Jefferson and Laurel Springs.
Junction list
{| class="wikitable"!County
!Location
!Mile
!Destinations
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=6|Avery
Avery County, North Carolina
- Climate :As a result of its relatively high elevation, Avery County has a Humid continental climate enjoying considerably cooler summers than most of the rest of the Eastern US. Likewise, winters are longer, colder and snowier than most other locations in the region. This can be evidenced by the...
|Ingalls
Ingalls, North Carolina
Ingalls is an unincorporated community in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The community is located at the intersection of US 19-E and NC 194. The Avery County Airport is located two miles south from Ingalls, towards Spruce Pine....
|0
|
|NC 194 begins
|-
|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|4
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|South end of US 221 overlap
|-
|Crossnore
Crossnore, North Carolina
Crossnore is a town in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 242 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Crossnore is located at ....
|style="background:#ddffdd"|9
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|North end of US 221 overlap
|-
|Newland
Newland, North Carolina
Newland is a town in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 704 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Avery County. Before its founding, the area was known as Old Fields or Old Fields of Toe. In 1911 it was renamed Newland, after North Carolina Lieutenant Governor...
|13
|
|
|-
|Elk Park
Elk Park, North Carolina
Elk Park is a town in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The town was so named because of the number of Elk killed there. The population was 459 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Elk Park is located at ....
|style="background:#ddffdd"|18.5
|style="background:#ddffdd"|, Roan Mountain
Roan Mountain, Tennessee
Roan Mountain is a census-designated place in Carter County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 1,360 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Johnson City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area...
|style="background:#ddffdd"|Brief 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) concurrency
|-
|Banner Elk
Banner Elk, North Carolina
-Attractions:During summer time there is hiking, whitewater rafting, fishing, and other activities. The largest lake in the area, Watauga Lake, is a favorite spot just 30 minutes away for boating, fishing and wake boarding. In the winter the main event is skiing and snowboarding. There are two...
|style="background:#ddffdd"|25.5
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|Brief 0.4 mile (0.643736 km) concurrency; also to area ski resorts
|-
|rowspan=5|Watauga
Watauga County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 42,695 people, 16,540 households, and 9,411 families residing in the county. The population density was 137 people per square mile . There were 23,155 housing units at an average density of 74 per square mile...
|Valle Crucis
Valle Crucis, North Carolina
Valle Crucis is an unincorporated community located in Watauga County, North Carolina, United States. The name of the town is Latin for "Vale of the Cross," a reference to a valley in the area where three streams converge to form a shape similar to an archbishop's cross...
|33
|
|
|-
|Vilas
|style="background:#ddffdd"|37
|style="background:#ddffdd"| – Mountain City
Mountain City, Tennessee
Mountain City is a town in Johnson County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 2,383 at the 2000 census. It is the northeasternmost county seat in Tennessee; Mountain City is the county seat of Johnson County.-History:...
|style="background:#ddffdd"|North end of US 321/421 overlap
|-
|rowspan=3|Boone
Boone, North Carolina
Boone is a town located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, United States. Boone's population was reported as 17,122, as of 2010...
|style="background:#ddffdd"|42.7
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|South end of US 321 overlap
|-
|style="background:#ddffdd"|43
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|South end of US 221 overlap
|-
|style="background:#ddffdd"|43.5
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|North and south end of US 221 and 421 overlap
|-
|rowspan=5|Ashe
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...
|Baldwin
|style="background:#ddffdd"|61.5
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|South end of US 221 overlap
|-
|rowspan=2|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...
|style="background:#ddffdd"|65
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|North end of US 221 overlap, south end of US 221 Bus. overlap
|-
|style="background:#ddffdd"|67
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|North end of US 221 Bus. overlap
|-
|Smethport
|style="background:#ddffdd"|68.5
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|East end of NC 88 overlap
|-
|Warrensville
Warrensville, North Carolina
Warrensville is an unincorporated community at the intersection of North Carolina Highways 88 and 194 in Ashe County, North Carolina, United States, east of Comet. It lies at an elevation of 2,707 feet ....
|style="background:#ddffdd"|72
|style="background:#ddffdd"| – Trade
Trade, Tennessee
Trade is an unincorporated community in Johnson County, Tennessee, United States. It is easternmost community in the state and is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, at the headwaters of Roan Creek. The community is located between the towns of Mountain City and Boone, North Carolina, along US-421...
|style="background:#ddffdd"|West end of NC 88 overlap
|-
History
NC 194 was an original state highway; starting from Woodlawn, North CarolinaWoodlawn, North Carolina
Woodlawn is a census-designated place in Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Burlington, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area...
(then NC 19, currently US 221
U.S. Route 221 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 221 in North Carolina runs north–south from the South Carolina state line to the Virginia state line in Western North Carolina.-Route description:...
/NC 226 split) to Newland
Newland, North Carolina
Newland is a town in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 704 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Avery County. Before its founding, the area was known as Old Fields or Old Fields of Toe. In 1911 it was renamed Newland, after North Carolina Lieutenant Governor...
, then west to Minneapolis
Minneapolis, North Carolina
Minneapolis is a community located along US 19-E in Avery County, North Carolina. It shares its name with two other cities nationwide: another small town in Kansas, and the much larger and more famous city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, that state's largest city and twin city of its capital, Saint...
(then NC 69
North Carolina Highway 69
NC 69 is a short north/south state highway in western North Carolina; it is entirely in Clay County.-Route description:NC 69 runs from the Georgia border south of Hayesville north, along the western shore of Lake Chatuge. The route crosses U.S. Route 64 before entering downtown Hayesville, where it...
, currently US 19E
U.S. Route 19 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 19 in North Carolina traverses approximately across Western North Carolina; from the Georgia state line, at the community of Bellview, to the Tennessee state line, at the town of Elk Park. The designation from US 19 to U.S. Route 19E happens in Cane River, where US 19W splits from the...
). In 1923, NC 194 abandoned Old Toe River Road (the original road that paralleled the ETWN "Tweetsie" Railroad
East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad
The East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad , affectionately called the "Tweetsie" in reference to the sound of its steam whistles, was primarily a railroad established in 1866 for the purpose of serving the mines at Cranberry, North Carolina.The narrow gauge portion of the ET&WNC was...
), going north instead to meet with then NC 69
North Carolina Highway 69
NC 69 is a short north/south state highway in western North Carolina; it is entirely in Clay County.-Route description:NC 69 runs from the Georgia border south of Hayesville north, along the western shore of Lake Chatuge. The route crosses U.S. Route 64 before entering downtown Hayesville, where it...
near Elk Park
Elk Park, North Carolina
Elk Park is a town in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The town was so named because of the number of Elk killed there. The population was 459 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Elk Park is located at ....
. An extension in 1924, has NC 194 replacing NC 694
North Carolina Highway 694
North Carolina Highway 694 is a primary state highway in the state of North Carolina. This scenic highway serves as connector between Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway.-Route description:...
to the Tenneessee state line in Elk Park.
In 1930, NC 194 switched with NC 69
North Carolina Highway 69
NC 69 is a short north/south state highway in western North Carolina; it is entirely in Clay County.-Route description:NC 69 runs from the Georgia border south of Hayesville north, along the western shore of Lake Chatuge. The route crosses U.S. Route 64 before entering downtown Hayesville, where it...
, going north from Elk Park to Vilas. In 1932, NC 194 was replaced by US 221
U.S. Route 221 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 221 in North Carolina runs north–south from the South Carolina state line to the Virginia state line in Western North Carolina.-Route description:...
/NC 28 from Woodlawn to Crossnore
Crossnore, North Carolina
Crossnore is a town in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 242 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Crossnore is located at ....
; one year later (1933), it was overlapped with US 221
U.S. Route 221 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 221 in North Carolina runs north–south from the South Carolina state line to the Virginia state line in Western North Carolina.-Route description:...
, then replaced NC 691 to its current southern terminus in Ingalls
Ingalls, North Carolina
Ingalls is an unincorporated community in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The community is located at the intersection of US 19-E and NC 194. The Avery County Airport is located two miles south from Ingalls, towards Spruce Pine....
.
NC 194 last extension happened in 1953, following US 421
U.S. Route 421 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 421 traverses approximately across North Carolina; from Fort Fisher, on a peninsula between the Atlantic and Cape Fear River, to the Tennessee state line near the community of Zionville....
from Vilas through Boone
Boone, North Carolina
Boone is a town located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, United States. Boone's population was reported as 17,122, as of 2010...
, then replacing the old US 221
U.S. Route 221 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 221 in North Carolina runs north–south from the South Carolina state line to the Virginia state line in Western North Carolina.-Route description:...
routing through Todd
Todd, North Carolina
Todd is an unincorporated community straddling the county lines of Watauga and Ashe counties in northwestern North Carolina on the South Fork of the New River. It lies at an elevation of 2,992 feet ....
. It then continued north through 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...
, replacing NC 162 through Warrensville
Warrensville, North Carolina
Warrensville is an unincorporated community at the intersection of North Carolina Highways 88 and 194 in Ashe County, North Carolina, United States, east of Comet. It lies at an elevation of 2,707 feet ....
to its current northern terminus at the Virginia
Virginia
The 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...
state line.
In the mid-1960, NC 194 was realigned onto new road between Newland and Elk Park, abandoning Blevins Creek Road.
Alternate names
Though the highway is commonly known as "NC 194" throughout the state, the highway does have other known names it uses locally in areas.- Balm Highway - Road name between Banner Elk to the Watauga County line.
- Banner Elk Highway - Road name between Elk Park and Banner Elk.
- Cranberry Street - Road name, north of Montezuma Street, in Newland.
- Elk Park Highway - Road name between Newland and Elk Park.
- Jefferson Avenue - Road name in West Jefferson city limits.
- Jefferson Road - Road name from US 221/421 to Boone city limits.
- King Street - Road name in Boone.
- Linville Falls Highway - Road name when overlapped with US 221 in Avery County.
- Main Street - Road name in Banner Elk city limits.
- Millers Gap Highway - Road name from Crossnore to Newland.
- Pineola Street - Road name, south of Montezuma Street, in Newland.
- Robert G Barr Expressway - Road name when overlapped with US 221 in Ashe County.
- Three Mile Highway - Road name between US 19E and US 221 in Avery County.
See also
- Beech MountainBeech Mountain (North Carolina)For the incorporated town, see Beech MountainBeech Mountain is a mountain in the North Carolina High Country and wholly in the Pisgah National Forest. Its elevation reaches 5,506 feet and generates feeder streams for the Elk River. Nestled on the top is the Town of Beech...
- Crossnore Presbyterian ChurchCrossnore Presbyterian ChurchCrossnore Presbyterian Church is a historic church on US 221/NC 194 east side, opposite the junction with Dellinger Road in Crossnore, North Carolina.It was built in 1924 and added to the National Register in 1996....
- East Tennessee and Western North Carolina RailroadEast Tennessee and Western North Carolina RailroadThe East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad , affectionately called the "Tweetsie" in reference to the sound of its steam whistles, was primarily a railroad established in 1866 for the purpose of serving the mines at Cranberry, North Carolina.The narrow gauge portion of the ET&WNC was...
- 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...
- Elk RiverElk River (North Carolina)The Elk River is a large stream in the North Carolina High Country and East Tennessee. The headwaters begin from the Northwestern slopes of Peak Mountain in Avery County, North Carolina and end at the Watauga River in Carter County, Tennessee.-Hydrography:...
- North Fork New RiverNorth Fork New RiverThe North Fork New River is a river in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It rises in Northern Watauga County, and flows northeast to Ashe County where it joins with the South Fork New River to form the New River....
- North Toe RiverNorth Toe RiverThe North Toe River is a large stream in the North Carolina High Country. The headwaters begin between Bald Mountain and Sugar Mountain, what is known as Sugar Gap, in Avery County. The river proceeds to go southwest till it ends with a confluence with the Cane River, forming the Nolichucky River...
- Shawneehaw CreekShawneehaw CreekThe Shawneehaw Creek is a stream in the North Carolina High Country and is located in the town of Banner Elk. The headwaters begin from the Southeastern slopes of Beech Mountain in Watauga County, North Carolina and end at the Elk River in Avery County, North Carolina.-Hydrography:With the...
- Spanish Oak MountainSpanish Oak MountainSpanish Oak Mountain is a mountain in the North Carolina High Country, located southwest from the town of Newland. Its elevation reaches . Most feeder streams from the mountain flow to the North Toe River; except for White Pine Creek, from its southeastern slope, which flows to the Linville River...
- Valle Crucis Episcopal MissionValle Crucis Episcopal MissionValle Crucis Episcopal Mission is a historic church in Valle Crucis, North Carolina.It was built in 1896 and added to the National Register in 1993....
- Watauga RiverWatauga RiverThe Watauga River is a large stream of western North Carolina and East Tennessee. It is 60 miles long with its headwaters on the slopes of Grandfather Mountain and Peak Mountain in Watauga County, North Carolina.-Hydrography:...