Spruce Pine, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Spruce Pine, North Carolina
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Locust (Lower) Street (2007)
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Location in North Carolina
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| Country | United States | |
| State | North Carolina | |
| County | Mitchell | |
| Incorporated | 1907 | |
| Named for | The spruce pine | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 4.68 sq mi (12.13 km2) | |
| • Land | 4.68 sq mi (12.13 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | |
| Elevation | 2,612 ft (796 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,194 | |
| • Density | 468.60/sq mi (180.93/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP Code |
28777
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| Area code(s) | 828 | |
| FIPS code | 37-64260 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 2407391 | |
Spruce Pine is the biggest town in Mitchell County, North Carolina, United States. In 2020, about 2,194 people lived there. It is special because it is one of the few places in the world where you can find very pure quartz. This town is sometimes called "The Mineral City of the World" because of its rich mining history.
Contents
History of Spruce Pine
Spruce Pine was started in 1907. This happened when the Clinchfield Railroad built its tracks along the North Toe River. The town first grew around a place called the Old English Inn. This inn was a tavern run by Isaac English. It was on an old road that went from Cranberry, North Carolina, to Marion, North Carolina. The Old English Inn is still standing today in the middle of town.
Mining and Railroads
The railroad and a growing mining industry helped Spruce Pine become a very important town. It was the main center for business and culture in the Toe River Valley. Companies like The Feldspar Company and Spruce Pine Mica had big mining operations here. The town is even named after the famous Spruce Pine Mining District.
Over time, people used railroads less for shipping goods. Also, mining became more automated, meaning machines did more of the work. Because of these changes, the town has been working hard to find new ways to grow.
Spruce Pine Today: A Travel Spot
Now, tourism is a big part of the town's economy. Spruce Pine is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, a famous scenic road. It is also near the edge of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, which is a steep slope. These natural features make Spruce Pine a popular place for visitors.
In 1998, a state prison for men, called Mountain View Correctional Institution, opened in Spruce Pine.
In 2007, a fire caused damage to some buildings in downtown Spruce Pine. Firefighters from four different counties came to help put out the fires. They worked hard to stop the fire from spreading across the whole downtown area.
Two important places in Spruce Pine are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are the Downtown Spruce Pine Historic District and the Gunter Building.
Geography and Location
Spruce Pine is located in the mountains of North Carolina. It is about 3 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway. The town is also about 50 miles northeast of Asheville, NC, and 40 miles southwest of Boone, NC.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Spruce Pine covers about 3.9 square miles (10.1 square kilometers) of land.
People of Spruce Pine
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 717 | — | |
| 1930 | 1,546 | 115.6% | |
| 1940 | 1,968 | 27.3% | |
| 1950 | 2,280 | 15.9% | |
| 1960 | 2,504 | 9.8% | |
| 1970 | 2,333 | −6.8% | |
| 1980 | 2,282 | −2.2% | |
| 1990 | 2,010 | −11.9% | |
| 2000 | 2,030 | 1.0% | |
| 2010 | 2,175 | 7.1% | |
| 2020 | 2,194 | 0.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, there were 2,194 people living in Spruce Pine. These people lived in 936 households.
Education in Spruce Pine
Spruce Pine has several schools for younger students:
- Greenlee Primary (for kindergarten to 2nd grade)
- Deyton Elementary (for 3rd to 5th grade)
- Harris Middle (for 6th to 8th grade)
- Tri-County Christian School
- Spruce Pine Montessori School (for children from 18 months to 6th grade)
Older students from Spruce Pine go to Mitchell High School. This school is located in the Ledger community of Mitchell County.
Higher Education and Training
Mayland Community College is also located near Spruce Pine. It was started in 1971. The college offers many programs, including job training and classes that can help students transfer to a four-year university.
In 2014, the East Carolina University Dental School opened a new facility in Spruce Pine. It is on the campus of Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. This facility helps provide dental care to people in Western North Carolina.
Town Infrastructure
Transportation Improvements
Starting in 2014, the North Carolina Department of Transportation began making U.S. Route 19E wider. This road is very important because it connects Spruce Pine and Burnsville to Interstate 26. The project changed the road from two lanes to a four-lane highway with grassy areas in the middle. The road widening was finished in 2020.
Local Hospital
In 1955, Blue Ridge Community Hospital opened in Spruce Pine. It later became known as Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. This hospital is now part of the Mission Health System. It serves people in Mitchell and Yancey Counties, as well as parts of McDowell and Avery Counties.
Media and News
Spruce Pine has its own local newspaper called The Mitchell News-Journal. It is printed once a week. The town also has a radio station, WTOE, which broadcasts on 1470 AM and 101.1 FM. The radio station is on 24 hours a day and is connected to ABC Radio.
Famous People from Spruce Pine
Many notable people have connections to Spruce Pine:
- Gaylord Perry – A famous baseball pitcher who is in the Hall of Fame. He used to live in Spruce Pine.
- Indigo De Souza – An indie-rock musician who grew up in Spruce Pine.
- Bill Szymczyk – A music producer and engineer who has worked with famous bands like the Eagles. He now lives nearby in Little Switzerland, NC.
- Roy Williams – A well-known basketball coach for UNC. He spent part of his childhood in Spruce Pine.
- Gerri Willis – A TV anchor and reporter for Fox Business Network. She was born in Spruce Pine.
See also
In Spanish: Spruce Pine para niños
