what city is lake james in north carolina
About Lake James. Located approximately 5 miles northeast of the city of Marion, North Carolina on NC 126, Lake James is at the base of the Linville Gorge. It is part of the North Carolina Park System and is surrounded by the Lake James State Park. Named for the founder of Duke Power and the benefactor of Duke University, James Buchanan Duke, Lake James was the result of a hydro-electric project developed by Duke Power between the years 1916-1923.