Boone

Boone is a small mountain town in western North Carolina that sits at 1015 meters elevation among forested hills. The streets follow the rolling terrain and connect residential neighborhoods with a compact center where shops, restaurants and administrative buildings stand.

The town was founded in 1872 and named for frontier explorer Daniel Boone who traveled through this region. It grew with the railroad and later expanded into a regional center when the university opened.

The university transforms daily life during the semester when students fill the streets, coffee shops and public spaces. During breaks the town feels quieter and the permanent residents become more visible.

The elevation means changing weather with cool mornings even in summer and frequent snow between December and March. Walking around requires preparing for steep streets and wearing weather-appropriate clothing that matches the terrain.

On clear days the view from higher points reaches distant mountain ridges that layer one behind another. The cool summer draws visitors from the hotter lowlands who come here seeking relief from warmer temperatures.

Location: Watauga County

Inception: 1872

Elevation above the sea: 1,015.9 m

Part of: Western North Carolina

Website: http://townofboone.net

GPS coordinates: 36.21679,-81.67455

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:01