Transylvania County Map

Welcome to Transylvania County

NOTE: The Telephone AREA CODE for Transylvania County is 828
The first 3 digits of the postal 'ZIP code' are 287

Transylvania County Map
Transylvania County Directory

Transylvania County Overview

Contrary to popular opinion, Transylvania County was not named after that mythical eastern European land of vampires; it took on the name of the Transylvania Company. The word, transylvania is from the Latin: trans, which means across, and sylva, which means woods. But, thinking of vampires is probably more fun. Back in 1861 the politicians took a hunk of Jackson and a hunk of Henderson County an merged them forming Transylvania County. They should have named it aquacado because Transylvania County is truly the land of many waterfalls.
Brevard, which happens to be nicknamed The Land of Waterfalls, is the county seat and is the home of Brevard College. The best known feature of the college is its Paul Porter Center for the Performing Arts. Installed in the Porter Center is one of the largest pipe organs in the region.
Speaking of music, Brevard has another attraction, - the Brevard Music Center. The summer concerts held there are world famous and when they are having a concert the streets accessing the center are almost completely in gridlock.

(continued in column 2)

(continued from column 1)

   Transylvania County's many waterfalls are surrounded by beautiful forests. Most of the county is in Pisgah National Forest but two, smaller forests receive a lot of visitors: DuPont State Forest and Gorges State Park. The Blue Ridge Parkway follows the border with Haywood County to the north. US-276, itself a very scenic highway, tops the ridge entering North Carolina from South Carolina, descends to Brevard, takes a brief jog to Ecusta then ascends to the Blue Ridge Parkway to the north. On the way it passes several spectacular waterfalls. A must drive!
   Brevard with its nearly 7,000 people isn't really a 'small' town but they sure seem to want it to look that way. Tourism is the primary industry here and if tourists are attracted to good eating, they'll find plenty of it in Brevard.
   Looking for a really unusual attraction? How about white squirrels? These are truly white squirrels and not albinos. They are just a variation of the common eastern Gray Squirrel and they are all over the town - and especially on the campus of Brevard College. Your kids will love them!

RETURN TO TOP