| Wilkes County | was formed in 1778 from Surry County and the District of Washington. Located in the NW section of the state, it is bounded by Yadkin, Iredell, Alexander, Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, and Surry Counties. It was named for John Wilkes (1727-97), English political leader who championed American rights at the time of the Revolution. Area: 765 sq. mi. County seat: Wilkesboro, with an elevation of 1,042 ft. Townships are Antioch, Beaver Creek, Boomer, Brushy Mountains, Edwards, Elk, Jobs Cabin, Lewis Fork, Lovelace, Moravian Falls, Mulberry, New Castle, North Wilkesboro, Reddies River, Rock Creek, Somers, Stanton, Trap Hill, Union, Walnut Grove, and Wilkesboro. Produces corn, wheat, oats, tobacco, apples, peaches, glass products, hay, poultry, livestock, hogs, furniture, mirrors, textiles, apparel, hosiery, and crushed stone. |