Linville, North Carolina


Linville is an unincorporated community in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. Centered just south of US 221 and NC 105, the community is known as a summer mountain resort and host of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, the largest modern Highland games in North Carolina.

History

The community—at times known as Clay or Porcelain—was founded in 1883 and designed by Samuel T. Kelsey of Kansas, and named for William and John Linville, who were killed by Cherokees in 1766. The East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad passed through the community from 1916 until 1940, when a major flood washed away the tracks. The old rail route later became NC 105 in 1956.

Geography

Linville is located in eastern Avery County at , in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The community is surrounded on all sides by mountains, these are: Grandmother Mountain, Flat Rock, Pixie Mountain, Moore Mountain, Brier Knob and Grandfather Mountain. Located east of the Eastern Continental Divide, most water drains into the Linville River, which traverses through the area, or either to Lake Kawahna or Grandmother Lake.

Attractions

Linville has four country clubs in the area: Grandfather Golf and Country Club, Linville Land Harbor Golf Club, Linville Golf Course and Linville Ridge; all open late spring to early fall. Adjacent to Linville is Grandfather Mountain, best known for its mile-high swinging bridge, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Linville Historic District, located between Hickory Lane and Mitchell Avenue, features various buildings built between 1892 and 1940.

Health care

Linville has one hospital, Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital, that serves all of Avery County.