Anne Swann graced the club today with more tales of McDowell County history. Some stories:

1. Davy Crockett had family in Asheville and was also friends with the Carsons (of the Carson House in Pleasant Gardens). On one trip from Asheville, Crockett was traveling the established road that is now near Old 70 in Old Fort and encountered a toll. Furious, Crockett went back to Asheville, got some friends and made his own road down the mountain. It was in the area now known as Mt Hebron / Crooked Creek.
2. Robert Hoke was one of General Robert E. Lee’s favorite generals. He was involved in commanding the CSS Albemarle in a Wilmington battle. Following the war, Hoke built a home in the Rocky Pass area and had a gold mining business.
3. McDowell native Col. Daniel Adams designed and constructed the world’s first firetower.
4. In 1874, McDowell county suffered through 75 earthquakes.

Anne has many, many more stories like these. If you ever get a chance to meet and talk with her you will be impressed. She has written several McDowell county history books.