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Lansing
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Lansing NC downtown

Nestled in the High Country in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina is the charmingly rustic small town of Lansing, a prime travel destination in Ashe County.

From Villages and Trading Centers

Like numerous villages throughout Ashe County, Lansing began as a small trading center for the local agrarian population. It is not known where the name Lansing originated, but the name was used in the establishment of a post office on August 24, 1882. Lansing was one of the county’s many modestly-sized rural communities in 1896.

According to Branson’s North Carolina Business Directory, its population was 40, Harrison Perkins’ General Store was the only business, along with the original Lansing School, built in 1889.

Growth with the Railroad

The Virginia-Carolina Railroad (later owned by Norfolk & Western) was constructed through Ashe County in 1914 to 1916 and had a significant impact on the growth of Lansing. With the construction of the railroad, industries based on the export of the county’s natural resources sprang up. Small-scale mining of iron ore was conducted in the Lansing area and the shipment of the ore from the Lansing Depot contributed to the town’s early growth.

The timber industry was even more important to the economy of Lansing and the county in general. Lumber and pulpwood, and probably tan bark, were all shipped from Lansing to processing plants that were located across Southwest Virginia and beyond. These products were the primary impetus for the construction of the railroad into Ashe County and created an economic boom for much of the 1910s and 1920’s culminating in the town’s charter on May 26, 1928.

Discover Modern Lansing

While industries have come and gone, the beauty of the mountains and surrounding natural heritage remains the same for the town and people of Lansing. No matter what the season, Lansing offers unforgettable landscape and scenery, year-round festivals and incredible outdoor recreation opportunities.

The quaint downtown offers a variety of interesting and unique shops filled with local arts and crafts, antiques and household goods. Our shopkeepers enjoy every opportunity to welcome you to the area, and direct you to any goods and services you may seek during your stay. Local eateries in town offer everything from old fashioned country cooking to hand tossed pizza.

Explore the Outdoors

There are several National Parks and Conservation Properties within the area including the magnificent Pond Mountain recently acquired by the State and further to the north, the beautiful Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area and Grayson Highlands of Virginia.

Take a ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a mecca for recreational opportunities, a habitat for diverse species of flora and fauna, access to America’s cultural heritage, an icon of American progress and ingenuity, and a gateway to charming communities.

Events and Festivals

Location

Lansing is about 20 minutes from Jefferson and West Jefferson, the seat of Ashe County, is only 45 minutes from Boone (NC) and is less than an hour from Abingdon (VA) or Mountain City (TN). You could get here from Charlotte or Winston-Salem in about 2-1/2 hours and just a few miles from the Virginia Creeper Trail.

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