County government has grown in complexity throughout the years because of new agencies and departments being added by the General Assembly to serve under the Board of Commissioners. The first county manager was appointed in 1968 to oversee all the various county departments and functions. Gem of the South Burke County possesses a natural beauty that equals or surpasses that of any county in the state. From its majestic purple hills to the north to its green rolling hills to the south, Burke County lies nestled in the Catawba Valley River basin seemingly protected from the severe storms so common in other parts of the state and the country. Burke County boasts Lake James, believed to be one of the few pristine lakes remaining in the Southeast.
Efforts are constantly under way to protect our lakes and streams.
Efforts also to preserve a bit of Burke County's environmental heritage for posterity have resulted in the establishment of Lake James State Park and South Mountain State Park. Efforts by the government of Burke County, as well as clubs, agencies, organizations, and private individuals have focused on preserving the natural beauty of Burke County for posterity. The combined efforts have hinged on a philosophy that to allow the beauty and appeal of Burke County to slip through our fingers would result in the loss of a rare jewel that could never be recovered.