Gazetteer fun: V-Z

The highly entertaining and educational North Carolina Gazetteer was recently updated for the first time since it was first published in 1968.

We figured we would highlight some of our favorites from the book every now and then. This version will look at random listings that begin with letters V through Z. (Click here to see some older versions.) There are some 2,ooo-plus listings in the Gazetteer, so feel free to search for your own faves.

Valle Crucis, community in central Watauga County near the junction of Dutch Creek and Watauga River. Est in 1842 as an Episcopal mission. The name, Latin for "Valley of the Cross," was adopted because of the shape of the Watauga River there. The valley has an area of approx. 600 acres. Alt. 3,000.


Whaley, community in n(orth) Avery County. Said to have been named for one Whaley, who became frightened by a screech owl and hid in a hollow log until morning.


Xenia, community in central Duplin County served by post office, 1891-1903. Name derived from Greek word meaning hospitality.


Yadkin College, town in w(estern) Davidson County on Yadkin River. Inc. 1875, but long inactive in municipal affairs. Named for the Methodist Protestant college opened there in 1865, closed in 1924. One college building and the ruins of another remain.


Zeke Island, sandy island in the Cape Fear River opposite Snow Marsh in s(outh)e(ast) Brunswick County.

Quick hits: 'Christmas Town USA' lights up the night, and the Nature Conservancy saves a mountain

McAdenville lights up the night
"The Gaston County town of McAdenville transformed into Christmas Town USA Tuesday night," says the Charlotte Observer.

"For the 54th straight year, hundreds of buildings in the town are decorated with lights and other holiday displays. The switch to turn it all on was flipped at 4 p.m.

"McAdenville's lights – which annually attract an estimated 300,000 vehicles – date back to 1956, when Pharr Yarns installed lights at its plant and worked with residents to put lights on homes. ..."

Nature Conservancy saves a mountain (yes, a mountain)

"The Nature Conservancy has acquired 466 acres at the summit of Little Yellow Mountain in Avery and Mitchell counties, the organization announced Tuesday.

"The 5,504-foot mountain is one of the higher peaks in the Southern Appalachians and is part of a large corridor of protected land in the Greater Roan Highlands. Little Yellow can be seen prominently from the Appalachian Trail and Big Yellow Mountain Preserve. It is also part of the Audubon Society's Roan Mountain Important Bird Area," says the Citizen-Times.

"New York-based Open Space Institute proved a $1.2 million low-interest loan for the project, enabling the conservancy to reduce the total cost of the project, they said. ..."