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Fundamental Facts
Boone is the Heart of the High Country and the premier “quality of life” community of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Consistently ranked as one of the “Best Small Towns in America,” Boone is a bustling university town and the center of tourism and commerce for Watauga County and the region. Known for its excellence in health care, education, shopping and the arts, Boone offers a palette of opportunity surrounded by four seasons of changing scenery. Watauga County in northwestern North Carolina has a land area of 321 square miles and adjoins Tennessee. Elevations here range from 2,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level. Boone, the county seat, has an area of about 4 square miles and an average altitude of 3,333 feet. Boone is a comfortable drive from I-77, I-81 and I-40 and is served by four major highways that intersect in Boone, US 421, US 321, US 221 and NC 105.
Boone’s climate is temperate with comfortable summers, dazzling autumn colors, a skier’s paradise come winter and crisp, green springtimes. The information reported here are approximations. Our website features accurate weather data and the most reliable forecasts all year-round: www.boonechamber.com. History Historians note that this area was originally explored in 1752 by Bishop August Gottlieb Spangenberg of Pennsylvania, who was seeking land in the “back country” of North Carolina for Moravian colonists to settle. Although the Cherokee had hunted seasonally in this region, the first permanent settlers came from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New England. Jordan Council established a store in what is now downtown Boone. Watauga County was formed in 1849, and the Town of Boone, which was incorporated in 1872, was named for the legendary Daniel Boone, who first explored and hunted in the region during the 1760s. Licenses
Vehicles Vehicle registration and license tags must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a North Carolina resident.
Driver’s License Requirements: Must be obtained within 60 days of North Carolina residency, written exam, vision test, proof of insurance, license from former residence, road test for new drivers. Fee is $10-20.
Marriage License Requirements: Birth certificate, Social Security card and driver’s license, if under 21; parental permission if under 18; two witnesses at proceedings; documentation if recently divorced. Fee is $50.
Pet License Dogs in Watauga County should be licensed annually. Cost is $2 per animal.
Watauga County Watauga County operates under a county commission-manager government. The Board of Commissioners has five members, nominated from separate districts and elected county-wide. Terms are staggered. The board meets twice a month in the commissioners meeting room at the Courthouse. Watauga County Parks & Recreation, 231 Complex Drive, Boone, 264-9511.
Town of Boone Boone operates under a council-manager form of government with a five-member council and a mayor who determine policy for the town. A professional manager implements policy. The council meets once a month in Town Council Chambers, 1500 Blowing Rock Road, Boone.
Town of Blowing Rock
Town of Beech Mountain
Town of Seven Devils Public Safety
Emergency
Non-Emergency
Electricity Boone and ASU New River Light & Power Co., 146 Faculty St. Extension, Boone, 264-3671.
Water & Sewer (Boone)
Solid Waste Management Watauga County Sanitation Department, 264-5305. Garbage Disposal Service, Inc. (GDS), 264-3689. Town of Boone Public Services Department, 321 E. King St., 262-4550.
Telephone/Telecommunications Skyline Telephone Membership Corp. (800) 759-2226 or (828) 963-1350 Medical Facilities
Watauga Medical Center Watauga Medical Center is a well-equipped, rural referral, acute care facility, licensed with 117 beds. Cardiac/intensive care, intermediate care, restorative and outpatient surgery. There are more than 85 physicians on staff, providing comprehensive and specialty care. The Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center provides oncology care and treatments, 262-4332. The Medical Center has a 24-hour physician-staffed emergency room and has air access via helicopter to tertiary care and trauma centers in Charlotte and Winston-Salem.
Blowing Rock Hospital & Skilled Nursing Facility Blowing Rock Hospital is a private, nonprofit hospital licensed with 100 beds. Acute care, intermediate care and skilled care. A physician’s office complex is adjacent to the hospital. The hospital offers routine outpatient and laboratory services along with 24-hour emergency service.
Charles A. Cannon Jr. Memorial Hospital
Watauga County Health Department The Watauga County Health Department provides an array of services to the community, including home health care, public health nurse in-home service, a dental health program, health education materials for schools, a general clinic, special medical services, a pediatric clinic, maternity and family planning clinics and a multiphasic screening clinic. The Environmental Health Program covers inspections of meat markets, restaurants, school cafeterias, rest homes, foster homes, hotels and motels, day care centers and other institutions. The program is also responsible for monitoring septic tank systems, water supplies and solid waste disposal systems.
Extended Care/Assisted Living/Nursing Homes Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation, 211 Milton Brown Heirs Rd., Boone, 264-6720. Life Care Center, P.O. Box 2199, Banner Elk, 898-5136.
Retirement Living Grace Ridge Retirement Community, 500 Lenoir Rd., Morganton, 580-7300.
Watauga County Board of Education, Jefferson Highway, Boone, 264-7190. Eight elementary schools (K-8) and one high school. Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute, Watauga Campus, 297-2185. The college offers associate degrees, technical training, continuing education and specialized classes to meet the needs of business and industry.
Appalachian State University, 262-2000.
Watauga County Public Library, 264-8784.
Other Educational-Oriented Facilities:
Newspapers The Mountain News, P.O. Box 152, Boone, 264-2262. The Mountain Times, 474 Industrial Park Dr., Boone, 264-6397. Fax: 264-8536. www.mountaintimes.com
Television Mountain Television Network (MTN), 643-F Greenway Road, Boone, 262-0990. Fax: 262-0038. www.mtntv.com Housing & Real Estate Avery-Watauga Association of Realtors, 262-5437. www.awaronline.org
Contact the Chamber at (828) 264-2225 or visit the Chamber web site at www.boonechamber.com for a complete and up-to-date listing of Chamber members businesses in these categories:
Air Haven Limousine Service, 265-2504 AppalCART, 264-CART Local public bus and van transportation Enterprise Rent-A-Car, 268-9761 Automobile Rental Agency Area Commercial Airports (Distance to Boone)
Johnson City, TN (60 miles)
Asheville, NC (95 miles)
Charlotte, NC (100 miles)
Greensboro, NC (115 miles)
Hickory, NC (55 miles) With the introduction of Delta Connection's all-jet service at the Hickory Regional Airport, Boone is now just 45 minutes away from Atlanta and the world. The Hickory Regional Airport has free parking, and is perfect for ASU students, parents, staff and faculty. Visitors can rent a car, and drive right up to Boone.
Morganton, NC (50 miles)
Area Private Airports
Major Employers
Appalachian Ski Mountain Some offer seasonal employment opportunities.
Employment Resources Employment Staffing, Inc., 263-9625 On the Clock Employment Services, 265-1266 Additional Information
Boone/Watauga County Map.......$3
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