Mountain laurel, whose botanical name is Kalmia.

Mountain laurel, whose botanical name is Kalmia.

Located in southeastern Mitchell County, Kalmia is named for the shrub that is commonly known as mountain laurel. Kalmia grows naturally in the area and was named for named after the Finnish botanist Pehr Kalm, who collected it in eastern North America during the 18th Century. A post office operated here from the late 1930’s until the 1950’s. Kalmia is also known as the Sunshine community, as the area is a bit higher in elevation than Spruce Pine and was often in the sunshine when the town was in fog. The Toe River flows through downtown Spruce Pine and often causes fog in the mornings of spring and autumn.

Picture of Pehr (Peter) Kalm

Pehr (Peter) Kalm