The rushing Nolichucky River cut deep gorges into Unicoi County's landscape, and the railroad laid track for the town of Erwin's future. Formed in 1875, Unicoi County's 201 square miles border North Carolina, with nearly 50 percent of the land protected by the U.S. government. Known as "the Valley Beautiful," this community comes alive through images of yesterday and today.
Author Mark A. Stevens is publisher of the Erwin Record, Unicoi County's newspaper since 1928. His family has called Unicoi County home for generations. He lives in Erwin with his wife, Amy, and their dog, Sadie.