Wilkes County, North Carolina, celebrated its 230th Birthday in 2008. Save Our History presented a video documentary that captures historical landmarks and relates first person accounts of historical events as part of the Preserve America Community project.

Wilkes County’s history is preserved in a series of DVD documentaries and are available in the Wilkes County Public Library, Wilkes Heritage Museum, and Wilkes Community College Library; used by public school children in their media centers, and for cultural heritage tourism and economic development for those traveling and stopping at the Northwest North Carolina Visitor's Center that is in construction on US Highway 421.

In the northern area of the Yadkin Valley in North Carolina, on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains, lies a diamond in a sea of emerald green trees and hills—Wilkes County. The County of Wilkes was created in 1777, effective February 12, 1778, and its history dates from pre-revolutionary times. The county was named in honor of John Wilkes, who was a member of the British Parliament and at one time Lord Mayor of London.

The first man to settle in Wilkes County was Christopher Gist, who settled in the Yadkin Valley in 1750. Daniel Boone also made his home in Wilkes County for many years. Colonel Benjamin Cleveland and other Revolutionary War heroes also lived here. It was the “mountain men” of Wilkes who arrived at the Battle of Kings Mountain and in so doing, turned the tide of the Revolutionary War.

There are three incorporated Towns in Wilkes County: North Wilkesboro, Ronda, and Wilkesboro.

	Town of Wilkesboro was incorporated in 1889 and is the county seat. Wilkesborough was built in a portion of the lower tract of land which the Moravians acquired in 1752. As early as 1807, the “ugh” was dropped from the spelling.
	Town of North Wilkesboro was incorporated on March 4, 1891. North Wilkesboro became established with the coming of the railroad into Wilkes County . The railroad lines were built on the north side of the Yadkin River and did not cross into Wilkesboro because of flooding on the river and the lack of available funds.
	Town of Ronda was incorporated on February 15 th, 1907 . The first land grant was deeded to Benjamin Cleveland recorded in 1779. This property, located west of Ronda on a large bend of the Yadkin River , is still known as the Roundabout Farm. “Roundabout” shortened to “Ronda” is believed to be where Ronda got its name.

If there is a topic you'd like to see, or you have new or additional information, please contact us at info@wilkesnc.org.