Region:Mountain County Seat:Taylorsville Population:33,6031
Alexander
County was formed from Iredell, Caldwell, and Wilkes counties in 1847. It is in
the west central section of the State and is bounded by Iredell, Catawba,
Caldwell, and Wilkes counties.2
Alexander County is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and bordered on the south by the Catawba River and Catawba County, on the west by Caldwell County, on the north by Wilkes County and on the east by Iredell County. Primary industry includes agriculture, furniture, and textiles.3
It not exactly evident where this nickname originated, but it seems to have given birth during the Civil War. North Carolina's troops were said to have tar on their heels, because they would not run in battle even as other states retreated.
Additional County History
