Avery County is named for Waightstill Avery, who was a colonel in the American Revolutionary War…read moreand the first Attorney General of North Carolina. The county is the last county to be formed in the state, number 100 in 1911. It was carved from portions of Caldwell, Mitchell, and Watauga counties. The original county seat was Elk Park, but after a public vote, the seat was moved to the centrally located Fields of Toe which was later renamed Newland in honor of Lieutenant Governor William C. Newland, who helped secure legislative support for the county's creation. The courthouse in Newland was completed in 1913 and is a striking Neo-Classical Revival and Beaux Arts design featuring a crowning cupola and Ionic portico. It features a symmetrical five-part façade. Inside, the original courtroom furnishings have been carefully restored, and the building retains its wide central hall and vestibule layout. Recent additions to the courthouse blend with the original design, preserving its architectural integrity while expanding its functionality. Adjacent to the courthouse is the former jail and jailer's quarters, now repurposed as the Avery County Historical Museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the county's past. It is a beautiful building and well worth a stop to tour. (It's also my 50th courthouse to visit as I make my way to all 100 of North Carolina's courthouses. https://www.yelp.com/collection/bgSlwoF6jU6MHqVx1fJ_oA/) [Review 1219 of 2025 - 4404 in North Carolina - 24771 overall]

To save time, I tried doing my business online for tax prep. I logged in to the main SS site with…read more.gov credentials and got locked out, couldn't proceed. Error message told me to call. I called the main SS # and waited on the phone for over an hour, no response. I wasn't too optimistic about calling the local office but tried anyway since I need that missing 1099. I waited on the phone for about 7 minutes but a real person actually answered (instead of the automated message). We were able to track the missing 1099 which was sent to a wrong address. So the agent updated my correct address and printed a new 1099 which is going to be sent out today. I'm greatly appreciative of the considerate service I got in light of recent firings, layoffs, budget cuts, or early buyouts with the current administration "cleaning" our government. Thank you for assisting me, you are all greatly appreciated

Excellent service every single visit (and we've been here several times since moving to TN). The…read moreguard at the front is always so nice and super helpful. The staff behind the windows have been extremely helpful and patient. It's been a pleasure coming to this office!!

Before driving through the area I had looked prior to starting the drive if there were any…read moreinteresting places to see that I may never have the opportunity to see again - this covered bridge is one I had booked marked so why not. I consider these types of structures interesting and definitely qualifies as a roadside attraction and oddity in my opinion. We arrived mid-day to find a few visitors mulling around snapping a few photos and taking advantage of the free access. The Doe River below was filled with ducks and geese swimming and looking for a free handout, apparently they have become accustomed to the generosity of the visitors here. This is a well built bridge that reminds you of how things used to be built there aren't many projects now days that are built to last 143 years, although this covered bridge hasn't been in service since the Federal Highway Administration and the Tennessee Department of Transportation funded a $400,000 bridge rehabilitation in 2003-2004 at that time, it was closed to vehicular traffic and converted into a pedestrian-only bridge. It's definitely a survivor having withstood major flood events in 1901, 1940, 1998 and the horrific flooding in September 2024 and she still stands as beautiful as ever...

Me and my wife recently stopped by here today to see what this bridge had to offer. Ground screw…read morethat work with the city were installing Christmas lights around the area. This Bridge very historical and it features plenty of information nearby across the river. This bridge is an easy walk though there are no Scenic views at all inside . Though there are paths to walk through there is a area for pedestrians on the narrow side where everyone else gets to have the larger section.

This marker is located along a quiet country road and points out some of the earliest colonial…read morehistory in the area. There is space to pull over. Of course, the marker is a ways from the actual site which is very well off the beaten track. The marker reads, "6.5 miles northwest, at the mouth of Brush Creek, is a mill built by Jeremiah Dungan in 1779, and continuously operated since then. East of it was a stone fort erected by pioneers of the Watauga Settlement. Dungan and other pioneers are buried in the vicinity." It is marker number 1A-17 and it was erected by the Tennessee Historical Commission. [Review 262 of 2025 - 568 in Tennessee - 23825 overall]

It was easy to stop and read this marker which has the same text on both sides. It's located at a…read moresmall intersection along the highway and I was easily able to resume my travels. The mine itself is pretty far from here but you're probably not going to accidentally drive that far out of the way. The marker reads, "Sink Hole Mine. Among oldest of area mica mines. Evidence indicates it was first worked by Indians. Remains 4 miles southwest." This is marker number N-7 and it was erected in 1987 by the Division of Archives and History. There is more information on their web page. Commercial mining began in 1867, and the site became a key contributor to the region's mica industry, which thrived until the 1960s. Mica from the mine was prized for its insulating properties and used in various industrial applications, including electronics and wartime manufacturing. Senator Thomas L. Clingman, a former U.S. senator and Confederate general, was hired to assess the mine's potential and helped formalize its development. The mine played a central role in establishing North Carolina as the nation's leading mica producer. Though demand for sheet mica declined with technological advances, the mine remains a symbol of the region's mineral heritage. [Review 1290 of 2025 - 4435 in North Carolina - 24842 overall]

We really enjoyed bringing the kids to tour this cavern! It got flooded out by Helene but is back…read moreup and running, and it's a great spot to cool off on a hot day too! My favorite part of the tour was when they cut the lights off for a moment so you can experience total darkness! You couldn't even see the hand in front of your face! Some good history lessons on the tour as well.

It was something to do on a rainy day, but altogether underwhelming. The pictures below pretty much…read morecapture the experience. It's a small cavern, very small by some standards and I was surprised to have the guide tell us that we were standing in the largest room in the cavern when we were in a small room. I've been to much grander caverns, but as I sid, it was something to do.

Very nice historical landmark in a quaint, beautiful town. On our way from NC to Knoxville we…read moredecided to stop and are glad we did. Like others, I didn't know much about President Johnson. I knew he had some difficulties, but his life is interesting. He went from being a tailor to the President. Life was hard back then, and he made the most of it. Very tumultuous time in our country. Nice gift shop and a lot of interesing things to see. We were there on a Sunday so most of the town was closed up. Great place to walk and enjoy the natural beauty.

As presidents go, the one who took over for Abraham Lincoln is generally held in low regard…read more History is interesting regardless of whether it's good or bad, so a diversion to this Eastern Tennessee town to catch this museum turned out to be a worthwhile effort. There is a museum and a couple of historic sites, as well as a statue. A charming stream traverses the site, and while not free of trash, it did have some nice greenery and a crayfish. Free tours were offered of the family home. I noted with some amusement that Andrew Johnson opposed the expansion of the federal government and thus probably would not have approved of his house becoming part of a large national park system. The content about the role and constraints of government is historically interesting but certainly is relevant contemporaneously. A variety of interesting health information also popped up; apparently his family was wracked by tuberculosis, which was incurable at the time. One might argue that the diseases afflicting the country during Reconstruction were likewise impossible to cure at the time, but we'll never know. Even his own museum doesn't think that President Johnson was successful in that effort. I doubt anyone will find a lovelier spring day than I did to visit, but the history won't change, and I've visited several presidential sites for presidents who are either obscure or not well regarded, and they have all been interesting.

Professional confident and easy!!! This Johnson city location was fast clear and easy!! Thank youread more

This center is top notch. We have been there twice in a short time and they are professional,…read morehelpful, and working hard so people don't have to wait so long. Thank you so much to the branch manager who blessed my son and I today and helped a tired mom with such a blessing. Many blessings to her and her staff!!