Prudential Hickory Metro Real Estate

Taylorsville Area Guide

Nestled in the feet of the beautiful Brushy Mountains, Taylorsville, North Carolina is located in the western part of the state and serves as the county seat of Alexander County. With both a small town atmosphere and modern amenities, Taylorsville has the perfect combination of old and new. Alexander County is 259 square miles with a population estimated at just over 34,000 residents (2003 estimate), but Taylorsville itself is just over one and a half square miles. The highest temperatures here occur in August when the highs reach 85 degrees Fahrenheit; in the coldest part of winter the temperature drops to an average of 42 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to its climate, two-thirds of Alexander County consists of farm land used to produce poultry, dairy, tobacco, apples, grains, and beef. The agriculture here is supported by a short line rail system that runs between Taylorsville and Statesville and later connects with Norfolk Southern.

Taylorsville History

Taylorsville was named after General Zachary Taylor, the 12th president of the United States, and Alexander County was named after the well-known Alexander family of Colonial North Carolina. Alexander County and Taylorsville were established simultaneously in 1847 when the first plot of land here was officially sold and the proceeds were used to build the first courthouse. Fourteen years after the county was established the Civil War began, and with a population of almost 6,000 people Alexander County had a large number of Confederate soldiers serving in the war.

Taylorsville Parks and Recreation

Matheson Park
With a small creek that runs throughout the park, Matheson is an excellent spot for a picnic lunch or just relaxing under the shade trees that line the banks. This beautiful park is maintained by the Town of Taylorsville and is one of five public parks within the county park system.

Hiddenite Center
The Hiddenite Center is an educational facility that hosts concerts, cultural performances, and educational opportunities for children and adults. It all culminates in September of each year when the Hiddenite Celebration brings food, music, shopping, and festivities to the center.

YMCA
The YMCA, located in downtown Taylorsville, offers a wide range of fitness and wellness activities for residents here. There is an aerobics studio, top-notch fitness equipment, and an area for children. The Alexander County YMCA is a charitable organization that encourages family values consistent with Christian beliefs; the center provides services for residents regardless of age, race, or economic status, Monday-Saturday.

Campgrounds
There are several different campgrounds in the area for recreational purposes which offer camping retreats for both children and adults. The camps are created to encourage spiritual and physical growth for Taylorsville residents and provide a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The available campgrounds include Hidden Valley Campground, Hiddenite Family Campground, Linney’s Mill and Campground, Suncrest Water Park and Campground, and Hickory Cove Bible Camp.

Taylorsville Events

Hiddenite Celebration – 4th Saturday of September
Artisans, musicians, and craftsmen come together each year to show off their wares and give folk-life demonstrations to Alexander County residents. Festivities include wonderful food, great music, entertainment stages, arts and crafts vendors, and tours of the Lucas Mansion.

Apple Festival – 3rd Saturday of October
The festival takes place when the crisp Fall weather arrives signaling the beginning of the Apple harvesting season. Downtown you’ll find a wide variety of arts and crafts, delicious local foods, entertainment stages, and hundreds of apples for sale.

Christmas Parade – 1st Saturday of December
This enormous parade includes beautifully-decorated floats, horses, antique cars, beauty queens, schools bands, and more to kick off the holiday season. Children and families line the streets to catch the candy and trinkets that are tossed into the crowd throughout the evening!

Taylorsville Attractions

Rocky Face Mountain
Owned by the Felburn Foundation (a nature conservancy non-profit), the Rocky Face Mountain is the easternmost mountain of the Appalachian Mountain chain. The mountain has a massive granite quarry that can be seen from several different spots in the county. Hikers can also enjoy the view of the entire county from the top of the mountain.

Alexander Railroad Company’s “June Bug”
The Alexander Railroad Company is a locally owned and operated railroad system that offers freight service along Highway 90 between Taylorsville and Statesville. According to legend, the locomotives are painted green and gold to honor local attorney and State Senator Romulus Z. Linney who supported a railroad charter to extend the Charlotte-Statesville line into Taylorsville in 1887. The locomotives were nicknamed “June Bug” after Linney made a public comment about how a June Bug could carry $1,000 worth of beautiful Hiddenite gems tied to its hind legs; the name stuck and the trains have been called June Bugs ever since.

Old Jail Museum
The old jail was built in 1913, and today it houses a small museum where visitors can learn about the old jailers and their families who lived within the jail to keep watchful eyes on the prisoners.

Lucas Mansion
The Hiddenite Center’s Lucas Mansion is a fully-restored, three story Victorian home once owned by James “Diamond Jim” Lucas. The home has been completely restored to its original glory so visitors can truly take a step back in time to explore the world Diamond Jim lived in.