A road out of the county to meet the Wilkes road system was impractical at that time because of sheer difficulty and cost of such a road. Therefore, it was decided that, with the help of state convicts, a road would be built from Jefferson, past Healing Springs, to the nearest railway terminal which was situated at Marion, Virginia. Trade relations and business contacts were established between Ashe, Alleghany, and Watauga counties and Virginia instead of other North Carolina locales. Today The people of Ashe County are still largely the hardy breed who walked into the mountains with a rifle, an axe, and a thirst for freedom. Quiet and dignified, they respect the privacy of others and expect the same in return.
Young folk leave Ashe County to earn their fortune so they can return to live among their families.
Their heritage is important to them and is kept alive by tradition and story-telling. Some 23,411 people live in Ashe County today. The median age of Ashe County residents is 42.6 years. The population comprises 11,359 males and 12,052 females. Our people are justly proud of our schools.