Beech Mountain Town Hall is located at 403 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC 28604.
Phone: 828-387-4236.
The town lies in both Watauga and Avery counties.
With an elevation of 5,506 feet above sea level, Beech Mountain is the highest incorporated town in eastern America. From this vantage point the inspiring landscapes of the High Country region of northwestern North Carolina lay themselves out, offering the viewer a breathtaking indulgence of an endless skyline, and the peace and tranquility of miles and miles of Appalachian Mountain scenery. [†]
This awe-inspiring landscape has drawn residents, tourists, and visitors to this mountaintop haven for years. The peace and tranquility here, the cool summers at the high elevation, the all-season outdoor recreation amenities including skiing and snowboarding, golfing, tennis, and hiking and biking, and a close-knit, small town atmosphere give Beech Mountain a unique quality of life unlike anywhere else.
As a tourism and resort home destination, Beech Mountain draws thousands of visitors every year with its cool summer climate and its skiing and recreational opportunities. The town has approximately 2500 dwellings and its population during peak ski and summer times often swells to nearly 10,000, but it is a year-round home to only 300-400 people. Though its population is quite small, the town occupies a relatively large physical area extending from just east of the Tennessee border to the town of Banner Elk on the South and East, occupying a portion of both Avery and Watauga counties. In fact, in terms of area Beech Mountain is as large as the nearby town of Boone, NC, although Boone's population greatly surpasses that of Beech Mountain. In terms of a long term strategic location, the town is well situated for its recreation driven focus by being equidistant from the outdoor recreation headquarters of Boone, and the developing water recreation opportunities provided by nearby Watauga Lake. It is also within a few hours' drive of larger cities such as Charlotte and Winston-Salem in North Carolina and the Tri-Cities area of East Tennessee. Nevertheless, the town is for all current purposes "off the beaten track," a characteristic that provides many challenges for its economy that is almost completely dependent on tourism, recreation, and real estate.
History of the Town
Beech Mountain began as a private resort development. In 1965 two brothers, Grover and Harry Robbins of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, along with 35 original investors, organized Appalachian Developments, Inc. The Robbins brothers had already restored the now famous Tweetsie Railroad and had built Hound Ears Lodge and Club. Appalachian Developments was organized to create a year-round resort community near Banner Elk, North Carolina. The new community was to be centered in Beech Mountain. Plans included complete water and sewer facilities, a distinctive architectural charm, and an environment protected from uncontrolled development. The community was to be developed as an ideal second home area for families and would include a full range of both summer and winter sports, a day camp for young people, and a nursery for children. The long range plans for the community called for approximately 7,000 separate residential lots, numerous condominium and motel construction lots, two 18-hole golf courses, two ski areas and probably two or more tennis and swimming complexes.
Between 1965 and 1967, most of the Appalachian Developments' efforts were devoted to planning the community and acquiring land. During this time the company also purchases 3,000 acres of land just outside Banner Elk, North Carolina, about five miles from Beech Mountain. In 1967, after obtaining beach front property in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Appalachian Developments, Inc. became Carolina Caribbean Corporation. During the next several years, in addition to the Beech Mountain and Virgin Island projects, Carolina Caribbean completed an airport on the 3,000 acres Appalachian Developments had purchased near Banner Elk. In 1968, Carolina Caribbean purchased the Land Harbors development in Avery County, North Carolina. This development consisted of a 9-hole golf course, a 75-acre lake, and several tennis courts. In addition, 50' x 80' lots were sold to provide the purchaser with permanent sites for recreational vehicle hook-ups.
Some lots were also sold for single family home development. In 1971 and 1972, land was purchased by Carolina Caribbean on the coast of North Carolina near Calabash, and Carolina Shores was developed consisting of a golf course and marina. In 1974 the Corporation purchased land on the coast of South Carolina and developed Little Rivers Mobile Home Park.
An incorporation bill was introduced into and ratified by the North Carolina General Assembly, and on May 1, 1981, the Town of Beech Mountain was formed. The boundaries of the new town coincided with the sanitary district boundary and thus include approximately 4,000 acres.
Tomorrow's Beech Mountain 2020-2035,. Beech Mountain Comprehensive Plan. 2021, townofbeechmountain.com, accessed April, 2024.
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