North Carolina
North Carolina’s Abandoned Ghost Town Is A Historic Gem Tucked Into The Breathtaking Pisgah National Forest – Islands
The mountains of North Carolina hold their share of secrets and mysticism, and perhaps none more so than an abandoned town deep in the western highlands. Nestled in the Blue Mountains, Mortimer is an aesthetically post-apocalyptic, historic ghost town —a gateway to the remote Pisgah National Forest, offering spectacular Appalachian views just 80 miles northeast of Asheville. Once a thriving lumber mill town founded around the turn of the 20th century by Ritter Lumber Company, Mortimer boasted a population of about 800 people, state-of-the-art sawmills, textile operations, a railroad stop, and company town amenities — including a movie theater and a hotel reportedly visited by President Teddy Roosevelt. After a major flood and fire in 1916 caused catastrophic damage and killed 80 people, Ritter shut down and abandoned the town. In 1922, Cotton Mills Company moved in, and during the Great Depression, the community received a major overhaul thanks to President FDR’s Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) program. However, in 1940, a hurricane swelled local waterways, including Wilson Creek and flooded the area up to 94 feet deep, forcing residents to flee. Shortly after, during WWII, the railroad was dismantled for the war effort, rails and all.
Mortimer has remained a ghost town ever since: eerie, abandoned, overgrown, and scattered with rusted machinery and collapsed buildings that now draw photography enthusiasts and dark tourists looking for harrowing spots to visit. It’s hard to imagine what Mortimer was like as a bustling lumber town, but such places leave impressions — though the people are long gone, their metaphysical presence lingers. Today, a few families reportedly live in the remote area around Mortimer and Wilson Creek, but the land is largely maintained and facilitated by the U.S. Forest Service. You can explore, hike, and swim, and there’s a backcountry (rustic) campground nearby.
Getting to Mortimer and taking advantage of the ‘America’s Favorite Drive’
Because it’s remote and abandoned, Mortimer is a little challenging to access, though totally doable by car. Located about equidistant between Asheville and Charlotte, you can fly into Asheville Regional Airport, about 100 miles away through the mountains, or fly to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a major airline hub with more commercial flight options and plenty of rental car availability, only 90 miles away. Because Hurricane Helene caused so much damage in western North Carolina in 2024, it’s advisable to check road conditions when traveling through the area, but heading to Mortimer from Asheville does give access to the Blue Ridge Parkway, also known as the Blue Ridge Scenic Byway, a gorgeous route through the mountains.
From Asheville, you can head toward Linville Falls or Grandfather Mountain along the Blue Ridge Parkway before dropping down into the Mortimer area via NC-181 and NC-90. Alternatively, from Charlotte, you can divert off the most direct route to take the Parkway — it’s about a 45-minute detour but worth it. Head northwest via I-85 or I-77, toward Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain, a state park with a mile-high swinging bridge that delivers stellar views just 15 miles from Mortimer, then drop down into the mountains via signs for Caldwell County or Wilson Creek.
Be sure to keep your phone charged and driving directions saved, as it’s easy to lose cell signal and GPS while driving through the mountains. Weather can also affect roads in this part of the country, and some roads may be gravel or unpaved as you approach the ghost town, so always be alert. Summer is a great time to visit, and autumn offers unparalleled views of the fall foliage along the Blue Ridge Parkway, often referred to as “America’s Favorite Drive.”
Explore the Wilson Creek area and nearby Boone
After exploring Mortimer, head up Brown Mountain Beach Road just a few miles to discover the Wilson Creek area. This nearly 24-mile waterway, officially designated a National Wild and Scenic River, cuts through rugged terrain in the Pisgah National Forest (and was responsible for all that flooding that decimated Mortimer). The area offers boating, rock climbing, camping, and trails, plus other adventure opportunities. Stop by the Wilson Creek Visitor Center, which features exhibits on the natural history of the region, as well as the story of Mortimer and its CCC camp.
But Mortimer isn’t the only gem tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Graveyard Falls is a forested trail known for its scenic waterfalls and wildflower-strewn valleys on the other side of Pisgah National Forest (pronounced PIZ-guh). Its eerie name was likely inspired by a big fire that left tombstone-looking stumps behind. While about 120 miles to the southwest of Mortimer, it’s a beautiful spot to get lost in nature, off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Mortimer is also only about 25 miles from Boone, a lively, artsy mountain town with great brews, views, and cozy places to stay. It’s a quieter and more affordable alternative to Asheville — perfect for a relaxed overnight stay or day trip.
North Carolina
North Carolina is hot, dry, and about have fireworks everywhere. Why isn’t there a burn ban?
Right now, it’s unmissable. North Carolina, and especially the Triangle, is both very hot, and very dry. Fireworks stands are popping up, just in time for the Fourth of July. So why isn’t the state under a burn ban?
It’s a straightforward question, with a complex answer.
Both the state, through the North Carolina Forest Service, and individual counties can declare burn bans. The vast majority of the time, county fire marshals listen to the Forest Service. And right now, the Forest Service says the danger isn’t great enough – yet.
“We’re still dry, fire danger is still high, but we haven’t reached that hazardous category yet,” said Phil Jackson, a Forest Service spokesperson.
Jackson points out that the state has two fire seasons, spring and fall, and conditions right now are very different.
For one, humidity is much higher right now, and humidity “tends to bring relief to fire risk and any ongoing wildfire activity that might be happening at that moment,” said Jackson.
Leaves are also key. In spring, plants are trying to wake up from their long winter sleep. Doing that requires a lot of water, drying out the soil.
“Think of each individual root system as being a straw that is just pulling water out of the ground,” said Jackson.
In the fall, the ground is covered in lots of new dry leaves, increasing the danger again.
“When they’re in full green, like they are now, they tend to be more fire resistant,” said Jackson.
Jackson points out it’s not impossible to have a summer-time burn ban. The Forest Service is constantly monitoring conditions, and it’s possible those conditions could get worse in the coming weeks. For now, though, the fire danger, Jackson says, is “manageable.”
But while the fire risk might be manageable, that doesn’t mean people should be careless.
“We always encourage residents to avoid outdoor burning, unless it’s absolutely necessary,” said Johnston County Fire Marshal Travis Johnson.
Johnson says, especially with the Fourth of July right around the corner, anyone burning or lighting fireworks should always have a source of water nearby to douse any runaway flames. “We never want anything to happen, but want to make sure that you’re safe while using those,” said Johnson.
If a burn ban were to be implemented, it would impact Fourth of July fireworks shows. For now, though, those shows are allowed to go ahead, and remain the best option, Johnson says, for anyone who wants to see fireworks this year.
Johnson, and other fire marshals WRAL spoke with, also stressed official fireworks shows are put on by professionals, are strictly permitted and regulated, and there are always firefighters there, on standby, just in case.
“Just be safe, and enjoy the holidays,” said Johnson.
The video above is a live stream of WBTV and affiliated programming, and may not be directly related to the article below.
GRANITE FALLS, N.C. (WBTV) – A man was killed and a teenager was hurt after a head-on crash in Caldwell County on Sunday.
The deadly crash happened along Highway 321 near Glenn Ridge Drive in Granite Falls, just before 7:45 p.m. on June 28.
North Carolina state troopers said 65-year-old Marvin Wayne Anderson was driving the wrong way on Highway 321 when he crashed head-on into an 18-year-old.
Troopers said Anderson died on the highway, while the teenager was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.
Highway Patrol said its initial investigation did not find speed or impairment to have been factors in the wreck. Troopers did not say why or how Anderson ended up on the wrong side of the road.
The crash reportedly shut Highway 321 down for several hours but it has since reopened.
Also Read: Mail worker killed in broad daylight in rural North Carolina, officials say
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The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Sunday, June 28, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 28 drawing
Day: 2-0-8, Fireball: 7
Evening: 4-1-9, Fireball: 1
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 28 drawing
Day: 7-7-6-5, Fireball: 4
Evening: 8-6-1-5, Fireball: 0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from June 28 drawing
06-08-11-16-37
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Double Play numbers from June 28 drawing
02-03-10-15-39
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 28 drawing
04-11-31-54-58, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.
For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:
- Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
- Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.
When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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