- Title
- Our state
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-
- Date
- September 1998
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-
- Place
- ["North Carolina, United States"]
-
Our state
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I iHMilt < built- I <4 I . -mill III
tar heel towns _
by /Man I lodge
photography by Mark Wagoner Fotografic
Sparta
Once known as the "Lost Province” because of its isolation, Sparta residents
these days prefer "Unspoiled Province." Perhaps that’s because Sparta’s location continues to help
preserve its storybook beauty, acres of forests and streams, and old-time mountain flavor.
Willi the prowess o| the
mytlmlogic al phoenix, the
residents ol Sparta in
Alleghany County have raised theii
eoininunily liom ashes. Twice devas¬
tated In lire, this |'a i Heel inoiiniain
town has been built and rebuilt by
niodern-dav Spartans with as much
fortitude as their antiem city-state
namesake. Surrounded by miles and
miles of what must rank among the
loveliest land in our state. Sparta
oilers its 2,500 citizens as well as
folks who just come for a visit a great
place to work or simply relax.
The county seat ol Alleghany.
Sparta's roots dale back to 1825
when the area was known as Bower's
Store. During the IX-IOs the area was
a militia mustering ground known as
"the- Gap." Legend has it that during
one ol these backwoods military jam¬
borees a brawl broke out. someone
trying to break it up yelled. "This
gap is a civil place!” and for many
years the Sparta vicinity was known
as Gap Civil. Finally incorporated
S/tarla x location has helped present’ its old-time mountain flavor And surrounded by field and forest, many folks stay dose to their rural roots.
12 Our State September 1998