Area 900 square miles. Yadkin, Fisher's and Ararat rivers and smaller creeks. This county is mountainous but fertile along the valleys and water courses. Lands can be bought low. The celebrated Pilot mountain lies in the eastern part of the county.
Iron ore is found in large quantities.
Mount Airy is the county seat, about 176 miles from Raleigh. This county was organized in 1849, from Ashe, Caldwell, Wilkes and Yancey, deriving its name from an Indian river. It lies in the Northwestern part of the State. Area 500 square miles. Good land from fifty cents per acre to five dollars are found in this county.