Watauga County History
Watauga County, formed in 1849 from parts of Ashe, Caldwell, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties, is located in the northwestern corner of North Carolina in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The name "Watauga" is believed to be derived from a Native American word meaning "beautiful water" or "whispering waters." The county is rich in natural beauty and history, including early frontier settlements, Civil War activity, and the development of Appalachian State University.