Page 7 - Wilkes County NCG 2023

Downtown Art Walks take
place on Friday evenings in
North Wilkesboro.

Local legend says Ronda was named
for the local estate “Roundabout,” the
residence of Benjamin Cleveland, a
colonel in the North Carolina militia during
the Revolutionary War. Although a small
About Us town, Ronda is known for its access to
outdoor activities, vineyard festivals, and
exceptional hospitality. Ronda is home
to East Wilkes High School, East Wilkes
Middle School, and Ronda Clingman
Foothills to the Mountain Peaks Elementary School.

MORAVIAN FALLS (pop. 1,495)
In the foothills of the Brushy Mountains
is Moravian Falls, named for its 35-foot
ilkes County is a cornerstone

Arts and outdoors are two hallmarks of
W of northwest North Carolina North Wilkesboro. Browse local works in waterfall and the brothers of Moravian faith
and gateway to the Blue Ridge
who settled here in 1753. (The Moravian
Wilkes Art Gallery, catch a performance by
Mountains. Music and cultural festivals, acres the Wilkes Playmakers, fish along Reddies faith grew from what is now the Czech
and acres of parks and green spaces, and River in downtown, or enjoy miles of trail Republic.) Moravian Falls is a popular
long, flowing rivers give residents and visitors on the Yadkin River Greenway. residential area for families. Wilkes Central
the feeling of knowing they’re in a cultural High School, Central Wilkes Middle School,
oasis not far from big city life. It’s where many WILKESBORO (pop. 3,578) and Moravian Falls Elementary School are
choose to live, work, and play and where Wilkesboro is a Small Town Main Street in Moravian Falls.
industry is thriving. Community and has been the county seat
since 1778, when the new Wilkes County Other Communities
WILKES COUNTY (pop. 65,806) was formed. The Town of Wilkesboro was
Established in 1777, Wilkes is the state’s (Unincorporated)
13th largest county at more than 757 incorporated in 1847.
square-miles of foothills and mountains. The town maintains its original layout • Boomer • McGrady
We are home to a diverse slate of from more than 200 years ago on the
industries, including Fortune 500 mainstays south side of the Yadkin River, with a • Brushy • Millers Creek
Tyson Foods and Lowe’s Companies, courthouse square, Main Street, and a Mountain
manufacturers of textiles, furniture, and vibrant downtown. • Mt. Pleasant
construction materials. We also enjoy Wilkesboro recently revitalized its • Clingman • Mulberry
strong agritourism and ecotourism. historic downtown to include the Carolina
Wilkes County is a hub for culture, arts, West Wireless Community Commons, • Cricket • Purlear
entertainment, festivals, and countless a public space that features the Wilkes
outdoor pursuits. Communications Pavilion stage, a concert • Fairplains • Roaring River
Wilkes County is easily accessible lawn, firepits, and a connector to the
to major interstates leading to other Yadkin River Greenway. • Ferguson • Traphill
notable areas in North Carolina, including Cub Creek Park is adjacent to • Hays • Windy Gap
Charlotte, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem. downtown and contains many amenities,
such as baseball fields, basketball and
NORTH WILKESBORO (pop. 4,247) pickleball courts, walking trails, mountain
Norfolk Southern built its terminus biking trails, trout fishing, a dog park, and
railroad depot near the banks of the picnic shelters. Wilkesboro is also the
Yadkin River. The depot still stands in the
heart of downtown North Wilkesboro, home of the annual MerleFest, FaithFest,
the Key City to western North Carolina Carolina in the Fall music festival, Teens on
since the town was founded in 1891. North the Greens, and Brushy Mountain Peach &
Wilkesboro is also known as the Town Heritage festivals. Did you know?
of Two Rivers, which largely defines the The American actor and comedian
nature-loving lifestyle here. RONDA (pop. 559) Zach Galifianakis was born in
Entrepreneurial roots run deep here, Ronda is a hamlet northeast of Wilkesboro, NC and is an alumnus
from the beginnings of NASCAR on the Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro along the of Wilkes Central High School.
North Wilkesboro Speedway to the founding Yadkin River, one of Wilkes County’s largest
of Lowe’s, to the many small businesses in rivers. The town is a short drive to multiple
the revitalized downtown area. vineyards and wineries.
wilkeschamber.com About Us 3