Sylva, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sylva, North Carolina
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West Main Street in Sylva
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Location in North Carolina
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Jackson |
| Incorporated | 1889 |
| Named for | William D. Sylva |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.17 sq mi (8.21 km2) |
| • Land | 3.17 sq mi (8.21 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 2,080 ft (630 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,578 |
| • Density | 812.74/sq mi (313.84/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
28779
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| Area code(s) | 828 |
| FIPS code | 37-66500 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2406705 |
Sylva is a small town in Jackson County, located in the beautiful Plott Balsam Mountains of Western North Carolina, United States. It's an official town, meaning it has its own local government. In 2010, about 2,588 people lived there. Sylva is also the county seat, which means it's where the main government offices for Jackson County are located. It took over this role from a nearby town called Webster in 1913.
Contents
How Sylva Got Its Name
People often say that Sylva was named after William D. Sylva. He was a handyman from Denmark who stayed with General E. R. Hampton. General Hampton owned a lot of the land that became downtown Sylva.
When the town needed a post office, General Hampton asked his young daughter, Mae, for a name. She liked the handyman so much that she suggested "Sylva."
However, some people disagree with this story. A recent study suggests that the handyman's last name was actually "Selvey." He might have been from the "Little Canada Community" and possibly wrote letters in Portuguese, not Danish. His granddaughter also confirmed that his last name was "Selvey."
A Look Back: Sylva's History
Sylva became the county seat in 1913. This happened because the county decided to move the main government offices from Webster to Sylva. Sylva had a new railroad station, which made it easier for people and businesses to get there. Many businesses followed the court and the railroad to Sylva, and Webster became less important.
The original Jackson County Courthouse was built in 1914. It sits on a hill at the end of Main Street in downtown Sylva. This building is no longer the official courthouse. A new Justice Center was built a few blocks away in 1994. Since 2011, the old courthouse has been used as the Jackson County Public Library.
Sylva was once famous for Dills Falls, a waterfall right within its town limits. Many locals say this made Sylva the only town in the U.S. with a waterfall inside its borders. Sadly, part of the waterfall was destroyed in the early 1970s to build a highway. Only a small part of it remains today. This waterfall is different from another one called Dill Falls, also in Jackson County.
The town also had the first public swimming pool west of Asheville. It was built in 1938 during the Great Depression by a group called the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This original pool was replaced by the current one in 1969. Famous people like Thomas Edison and President Franklin D. Roosevelt both visited Sylva. Edison came in 1911, and FDR visited in 1936 while he was president.
Several places in Sylva are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Downtown Sylva Historic District, the Dr. D. D. Hooper House, and the Jackson County Courthouse.
Exploring Sylva's Geography
Sylva covers an area of about 3.2 square miles, and all of it is land.
The town is located close to some very popular places. It's near the Cherokee Indian Reservation, which is home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. It's also close to the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Both of these are well-known spots for vacations and outdoor adventures.
People of Sylva: Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 281 | — | |
| 1910 | 698 | 148.4% | |
| 1920 | 863 | 23.6% | |
| 1930 | 1,340 | 55.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,409 | 5.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,382 | −1.9% | |
| 1960 | 1,564 | 13.2% | |
| 1970 | 1,561 | −0.2% | |
| 1980 | 1,699 | 8.8% | |
| 1990 | 1,809 | 6.5% | |
| 2000 | 2,435 | 34.6% | |
| 2010 | 2,588 | 6.3% | |
| 2020 | 2,578 | −0.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
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2020 Census Information
| Race | Number | Percentage |
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| White (non-Hispanic) | 1,902 | 73.78% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 87 | 3.37% |
| Native American | 75 | 2.91% |
| Asian | 72 | 2.79% |
| Other/Mixed | 106 | 4.11% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 336 | 13.03% |
According to the 2020 United States census, there were 2,578 people living in Sylva. These people made up 1,151 households, and 552 of those households were families.
Important Services: Infrastructure
Learning and Education
Sylva is home to the Jackson Campus of Southwestern Community College. It is also the closest town to Western Carolina University, which is about 6 miles away. Western Carolina University is one of the seventeen schools that are part of the University of North Carolina system.
The town also has the main high school for the county, Smoky Mountain High School. There are two elementary schools for younger students (Kindergarten through 8th grade): Scotts Creek, located east of town, and Fairview, which is behind the high school.
Staying Healthy: Healthcare
Sylva and all of Jackson County are served by Harris Regional Hospital. This hospital has 86 beds and also helps people in nearby Swain, Macon, and Graham counties in western North Carolina. It is connected with Duke LifePoint.
Local News: Media
The local newspaper in Sylva is called The Sylva Herald. It has been publishing news since 1926.
Fun Things to Do: Events
Sylva hosts several exciting events throughout the year:
- Greening Up The Mountains Festival: This festival happens on the fourth Saturday in April. It's a fun street festival in downtown Sylva for the whole family. Over 10,000 people come to enjoy art, old-fashioned Appalachian crafts, local music, tasty food, and drinks from local breweries. There are also many activities just for kids.
- The Hook, Line & Drinker Festival: Held in May, this festival celebrates the area's popularity for fishing. It features fishing guides, vendors from the fishing industry, craft beer vendors, activities for children, and live bands at Bridge Park.
- Concerts on The Creek: Every Friday night from Memorial Day to Labor Day, you can enjoy free concerts at Sylva Bridge Park.
Famous Faces: Notable People
Many interesting people have connections to Sylva:
- Zeb Alley – A lawyer, lobbyist, and politician.
- Michael Bingham – An Olympic medalist in the 400-meter relay in 2008.
- Sean Bridgers – An actor known for TV shows like Deadwood and Get Shorty.
- David McKee Hall – A U.S. Representative from North Carolina.
- Frank Huguelet – A professional wrestler and reality TV star.
- Evy Leibfarth – An Olympian in slalom canoeing.
- Dan K. Moore – The 66th Governor of North Carolina.
- Johnny Oates – A former Major League Baseball player and manager.
- Cal Raleigh – A catcher for the Seattle Mariners baseball team.
- Nick Searcy – An actor who appeared in Cast Away and played a sheriff in The Fugitive, which was partly filmed in Sylva.
- Matt Stillwell – A country music artist.
- Ed Sutton – A former NFL player.
See also
In Spanish: Sylva para niños
