Jackson County was created in 1851 by a special act of the North Carolina legislature and was named in honor of Andrew Jackson. Known for its lofty peaks and spectacular scenery, it is home to Western Carolina University and borders the Blue Ridge Parkway and Cherokee Indian Reservation.
Coauthors Nick Breedlove and Lynn Hotaling are with the Sylva Herald, the county's oldest newspaper. The images that bring Jackson County's storied past to life are drawn from newspaper archives and private collections.