Dillsboro, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dillsboro, North Carolina
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Front Street in Dillsboro
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Location in North Carolina
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Jackson |
| Settled | 1882 |
| Incorporated | 1889 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.48 sq mi (1.24 km2) |
| • Land | 0.48 sq mi (1.24 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,060 ft (630 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 213 |
| • Density | 445.61/sq mi (172.00/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
28725, 28779
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| Area code(s) | 828 |
| FIPS code | 37-17180 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2406379 |
| Website | www.dillsboronc.info |
Dillsboro is a small town in Jackson County, North Carolina, United States. In 2020, about 213 people lived there. This was a slight decrease from 232 people in 2010.
Dillsboro is a popular spot for tourists visiting the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains. The famous Great Smoky Mountains Railroad starts its journey in Dillsboro. It follows a path called the Murphy Branch, which was built way back in the 1880s.
Contents
History of Dillsboro
Dillsboro began to grow when the Murphy Branch Railroad arrived in the 1880s. In 1882, the first post office opened. It was called the Tunnel Post Office, named after the nearby Cowee Tunnel.
How Dillsboro Got Its Name
In 1882, the postmaster, William Allen Dills, built a big house on a hill. It overlooked the Tuckasegee River. This house later belonged to Charles Joseph Harris and is now known as The Riverwood Shops.
The small village had a few different names at first, like Depot and New Webster. But in 1889, the state government officially changed its name to Dillsboro. This was done to honor William Allen Dills, who helped found the town. Some say the town was named after another early settler, George W. Dill. A railroad executive named Alexander Boyd Andrews also suggested the name Dillsboro.
Early Growth and Development
One of the oldest buildings in Dillsboro was built in the 1870s, even before the town was officially founded. Today, it's a barber shop on Front Street. Around 1884, William Dills also built the historic The Jarrett House hotel.
Dillsboro quickly became a busy town. By 1888, it was a very important stop on the Southern Railway's Murphy Branch. It had many businesses, including sawmills, mines, general stores, and a large hotel.
Rivalry and Changes
For a while, Dillsboro had a friendly rivalry with the nearby town of Sylva. Both towns were growing and were similar in many ways. However, a big flood in 1894 damaged many businesses in Dillsboro. Later, two more floods caused a factory to move from Dillsboro to Sylva. Around 1899, Dillsboro was one of the most populated towns in western North Carolina, with about 750 residents.
Over the years, Dillsboro's population has gone down. This is partly because not many new homes have been built. Also, many houses in the downtown area have been turned into shops. Since 1975, the town has worked hard to restore its older buildings. They want to make them look like they did a long time ago.
In 2012, the Dillsboro Dam and Powerhouse were taken down. This helped to restore the natural environment of the Tuckasegee River. In 2024, parts of downtown Dillsboro experienced some flooding during Hurricane Helene.
Important Historical Sites
Two important historical places in Dillsboro are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are The Jarrett House and the Elias Brendle Monteith House and Outbuildings.
Famous People from Dillsboro
Gertrude Dills McKee was born in Dillsboro. She was the daughter of William Allen Dills. She made history by becoming the first woman ever elected to the North Carolina State Senate.
Geography
The United States Census Bureau says that Dillsboro covers a total area of about 0.4 square miles (1.24 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 279 | — | |
| 1910 | 277 | −0.7% | |
| 1920 | 228 | −17.7% | |
| 1930 | 284 | 24.6% | |
| 1940 | 290 | 2.1% | |
| 1950 | 198 | −31.7% | |
| 1960 | 140 | −29.3% | |
| 1970 | 215 | 53.6% | |
| 1980 | 179 | −16.7% | |
| 1990 | 95 | −46.9% | |
| 2000 | 205 | 115.8% | |
| 2010 | 232 | 13.2% | |
| 2020 | 213 | −8.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2020
In 2020, the 2020 United States census counted 213 people living in Dillsboro. There were 112 households and 53 families. Most of the people living in Dillsboro were White (non-Hispanic), making up about 78.87% of the population. There were also smaller numbers of people from other backgrounds, including Native American, Asian, Black or African American, and those of Hispanic or Latino origin.
| Race | Number | Percentage |
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| White (non-Hispanic) | 168 | 78.87% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 1 | 0.47% |
| Native American | 6 | 2.82% |
| Asian | 5 | 2.35% |
| Other/Mixed | 17 | 7.98% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 16 | 7.51% |
Images for kids
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The first house in Dillsboro was home to William Dills and C.J. Harris. Today it is Riverwood Shops.
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The Jarrett House in 2024
See also
In Spanish: Dillsboro para niños
