Confederate veterans gather in 1915
to dedicate a memorial statue overlooking Main Street in
Sylva. (Courtesy of WCU Hunter
Library Special Collections)TOWN
Population: 2,300
Township: 5,000
Elevation: 2,039 ft.
Size: 3 sq. miles
(1,489.8 acres)
HISTORY
Established: 1880
Chartered: 1889
LOCATION
- 47 miles west of
Asheville,
NC
- 1 mile east of
Dillsboro, NC
- 10 miles south of Cherokee / GSMNP
- 4 miles north of
Cullowhee / WCU
- 1 hour north of the Georgia state line on highway 23/74
via US 441.
MAP
Directions to Sylva and other towns
in Jackson County, NC.
PEOPLE
Friendly faces and their stories.
PLACES
Visit these historic landmarks in and
around our town.
NEWS
Our community happenings.
EVENTS
Fun activities for the whole family.
LINKS
Area Information
- Smoky Mountain Area Attractions
- Jackson County Govn't Listings
- The Community Network of WNC
Educational Links
-
Southwestern Community College
- Western
Carolina University
- Hunter Library
- Jackson County Public Library
(828) 586-2016
Publications
-
The Sylva Herald
- The Smoky Mountain News
CONTACT
We would love to hear from you!
Contacts:
Sylva
Partners In Renewal, Inc.
P.O.
Box 2066
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-1577
www.spir.org
Jackson
County Chamber of Commerce
Jackson County Travel & Tourism Authority
116
Central Street
Sylva, NC 28779
(800) 962-1911
(828) 586-2155
nc-mountains.com
send them
e-mail
Town
of Sylva, NC
83 Allen Street
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-2719
official website
Jackson
County Economic Development Commission
(828) 586-7575
come
back real soon!
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© 2 0 0 1 s y l v a
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Welcome to Sylva, North
Carolina!
Our small town
(pop. 2,300) is nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains of
Western North Carolina. Sylva is the county seat for
Jackson County and is the center of commerce and industry
for our county's approximately 29,000 residents. We have
been designated a Main Street town by the State of North
Carolina.
Sylva is rich with heritage and full of history. Our town
is located in the center of the most beautiful natural
surroundings we think you will find anywhere. Our small
town setting in the mountains offers our residents and
visitors a diverse selection of indoor and outdoor
activities. Sylva still remains one of the most charming
places to visit in Western North Carolina.
The historic Jackson County Court House
on Main Street was built in 1914. Considered to
be the "most photographed court house"
in North Carolina.
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Our beautiful and historic
early twentieth century Main Street downtown area
has been the social center of the county since
the early 1900's. As you stroll down Main Street
you will want to visit our many unique shops. You
will also want to relax and sample the cuisine at
one of our downtown cafés. Our downtown sights
and natural surroundings will keep you busy for
as long as you wish to explore. The incredible
quality of life, magnificent views, and friendly
people is what keeps us here, and what brings new
faces to Sylva. |
A brief history of our small
town:
The Sylva Post Office was established in 1880,
with the name Sylva chosen by the daughter of the town's
founder, E.R. Hampton. An itinerant Dane named William
D. Sylva worked at a sawmill owned by Hampton's
relatives. He sawed lumber for some of the earliest homes
built in Sylva, including the Hampton house. After
working for a short time in what was now his namesake,
William D. Sylva ventured Westward as quickly as he had
arrived, eventually reaching parts unknown.
The building of a railroad at request of local citizens
pushed Sylva into a rivalry with nearby Dillsboro and
Webster. Our small town became the county's focal
point when the Western North Carolina Railroad rolled in
during the summer of 1884, and Sylva was
incorporated March 9, 1889. Soon after
Sylva became Jackson County's site for the annual fair.
Sylva began to push for moving the county seat from
Webster. In 1901, the Legislature
approved an election. The County Board of Commisioners
declined to hold the election, but the issue refused to
go away. Again the General Assembly intervened and called
for an election in 1913, when Sylva
wrestled the county seat away from Webster in a heated
election and began constructing the courthouse building
in 1914 on Main Street, using a similar
structure in Madison County as a model. (read more
about Sylva's history)
Sylva has continued to grow as the county center for
service and business. The town is governed by a mayor and
five-member board of commisioners. Appointed officials
are the town clerk/finance officer, chief of police, town
attorney, and tax collector/assistant finance officer.
Jackson County
Chamber of Commerce
and
Jackson County Travel
& Tourism Authority
Looking
to get away for some rest and relaxation? Come to
Jackson County North Carolina and enjoy our
magnificent views, friendly people and wide
assortment of activities. Hear about what's going
on with travel and tourism in Western North
Carolina.
Our residents and visitors enjoy great Summer
fun! Some of our favorite Summer activities
include hiking, biking, camping, canoeing,
kayaking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing,
fishing, golfing, picnicing, bird watching,
walking or just plain relaxing. Whatever
activities you choose, Jackson County is the
place to enjoy them. Ask for your free visitor's
guide!
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PUBLIC
SERVICE
Dial 911 for
Emergency
Sylva Police Dept.
(828) 586-2196
Sylva Fire Department
(828) 586-1020
Jackson County
Sheriff's Office
(828) 586-8901
NC Highway Patrol
(828) 586-8758
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Fun activities for the whole
family.
The historic Hooper House on Main Street
built
in 1905 and home of Dr. Delos Dexter Hooper
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The
Hooper House Preservation Foundation has
begun the process of restoration of Sylva's
oldest Main Street residence. The house will
become home to the Chamber of Commerce, the
Travel and Tourism Authority, the Jackson County
Historical Society, a public museum and Sylva
Partners in Renewal.
Click here to
download a PDF file
of the Hooper House Foundation brochure.
(Courtesy
of Jackson
County Chamber of Commerce) |
Thank you for visiting our
community, we hope you enjoyed your stay.
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