Sugar Grove, Cove Creek, Zionville:
NW Watauga Co.

All photos and illustrations by Pat Johns ©2009
All Rights Reserved
See links to article references at the end of the article.

The Sugar Grove community is in the northwestern part of Watauga County. It's small business district contains the Sugar Grove Post Office, the locally-owned Cove Creek Store, a few small businesses and, within walking distance, the Historic Old Cove Creek School. Residents near the school refer to their home as Cove Creek.

But most people think of the beauty of this still rural area as the real Sugar Grove. Mountain roads lead to breathtaking views of the area. Some around can remember when these curvy roads with sharp switchbacks were the "main" roads through the area. Sugar Grove is not a community of "neighborhoods" that are familiar in more populous areas. Residents come together for annual events such as MusicFest 'n Sugar Grove, Cove Creek Farm Heritage Days, the monthly Ruritan fish and chicken fries, the barbeque dinners at the Historic Cove Creek School and a variety of activities sponsored by local churches.

This area is where the Cove Creek flows into the Watauga River on its way to Tennessee where it becomes part of the TVA Watauga Lake, on of the cleanest lakes in the nation. It is where the man who helped capture Tom Dula (Tom Dooley) is buried (Zionville). It is where Daniel Boone and many others went west to present-day Trade Tennessee then historic Sycamore Shoals in present-day Elizabethton TN to "settle" territories for those who followed.

Learn more about Sugar Grove, Cove Creek and the northwest region of Watauga County . . .

MusicFest 'n Sugar Grove

MusicFest 'n Sugar Grove reached new heights this year with the return of Doc Watson and, on the same stage, the Kruger Brothers, The Carolina Chocolate Drops and The Steep Canyon Rangers.

The Snyder Family Band, new to the show, earned 2 standing ovations as these very young players dazzled the crowd . . .

Read more . . .

Blood Sweat and Gears Bicycle Run

The Blood Sweat and Gears Century (100 mile) and Half Century (50 mile) routes attract over 1000 bicyclists from throughout the southeastern U.S. But for some lucky Sugar Grove, North . . . . .

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2007 Cove Creek Farm Heritage Day

This year's Cove Creek Farm Heritage Days came on a beautiful Fall day, just after a much-needed day of rain for this dry region. The clouds of the morning gave way to a blue-sky day for the event. Locals gathered for great music and food, a petting zoo, donkey-cart rides, old cars and engines and much more

Read more . . .

New Series:   Sugar Grove North Carolina Road by Road

August, 2007

Sugar Grove North Carolina is in western Watauga County near Boone, North Carolina. Boone is the home of Appalachian State University and has a thriving economy also fueled by regional tourism

Read more . . .

Spring and Trout Fishing Season in Sugar Grove

April 2008

The trout fishing season opens in Sugar Grove, North Carolina in early April . . .

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Sugar Grove Artist Joan Meixell

November, 2007

Joan Meixell has been a silk screen artist for over 30 years. Since moving to Sugar Grove 10 years ago she has further developed her work to include themes from the North Carolina Mountains . . .

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Banner ~ Mast House ca. 1890

September, 2007

The Banner - Mast House was built on Georges Gap Road in 1890 by Newton Banner and his wife Sophronia Mast.

The Banner family is closely tied to the early history of the area and Newton Banner lived a colorful and long life here . . .

Read more . . .