Map of Mitchell and Yancey Counties in 1904

Mitchell County was created in 1861. The original boundary of Mitchell County ran from the top of Grandfather Mountain to Bearwallow Gap at Little Switzerland, then to Three Knobs at the Yancey/McDowell border, turning down Crabtree Creek and continuing on to the North Toe River. It followed the Toe to the Tennessee state line, and followed that line to the Elk River turning back to Grandfather Mountain.