Marion, North Carolina, is a small city located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in McDowell County. Founded in 1844, it is known for its rich history and scenic beauty. The city’s downtown area features charming shops, restaurants, and historic buildings, while nearby outdoor attractions include the Pisgah National Forest and Lake James. Marion hosts several annual events, such as the Mountain Glory Festival and the Livermush Festival, celebrating local culture and cuisine. The community is tight-knit, with a friendly atmosphere and a strong sense of local pride.
Building A Home In Marian, NC
Marian, NC
Mosscreek, the Right Designer
Building a MossCreek designed home creates the perfect way to live in harmony with your surroundings. Every home is designed to fit carefully within its natural setting while offering the best in contemporary living. See “Custom Design” in our menu above to learn more about us and how we can help you realize a MossCreek designed home.
Finding a Builder
MossCreek has a network of builders in Marian that we regularly work with and would be glad to introduce you to them. We are also happy to work with the builder of your choice.
Why People Are Building In Marian, NC
Scenic Beauty Abounds
Marian and its surrounding areas offer several spots with breathtaking views that showcase the natural beauty of the region. Here are some of the best places to enjoy amazing views: These locations provide stunning vistas and are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to experience the natural beauty of the Marion area.
Fishing
Marian is widely known for great fly fishing and angling on lakes and streams. There are several fishing charters and tours available in Marian including: Fishing around Marian offers enthusiasts a wealth of opportunities to engage with nature and experience the thrill of angling in some of the most scenic waters in the Southeast. Popular fishing spots include:
Museums and Galleries
Marian is home to several wonderful art galleries and museums. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, these places offer a chance to explore creativity, history, and heritage. Here are some notable ones:
- Historic Carson House: This museum, located in Marion, showcases a fascinating collection of artifacts dating back to the late 1700s. It includes period furniture, quilts, glassware, and Civil War artifacts. The house itself has a significant historical background, having hosted notable figures like Andrew Jackson and Davy Crockett. Guided tours provide an in-depth look at the home and its extensive history.
- Mountain Gateway Museum: Situated in nearby Old Fort, this museum focuses on the history and culture of the Appalachian region. It features exhibits on the area’s gold mining history, Native American heritage, and early settlers
. - Rutherford County Visual Arts Center: Located in Rutherfordton, this center features rotating exhibits of local artists’ works, including paintings, sculptures, and photography. It’s a great place to explore contemporary art from the region
. - The Artful Peddler & Company: Situated in downtown Marion, this gallery and gift shop displays work from local artists and craftsmen, offering a range of unique items for sale
. - Black Mountain Center for the Arts: A short drive from Marion, this center in Black Mountain offers art exhibits, performances, and workshops in a historic building. It’s a great place to explore local art and participate in creative activities
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Hiking
Marian is surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, offering countless hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels. Here are some of the best hiking trails in the Marian area:
- Linville Gorge Wilderness Area: Known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Linville Gorge offers rugged trails and stunning views. Popular hikes include the Shortoff Mountain Trail, providing cliffside views of the gorge and Linville River, and the Chimneys, which offer panoramic views of the gorge and surrounding mountains.
- Tom’s Creek Falls: An easily accessible and family-friendly trail, Tom’s Creek Falls features an 80-foot multi-tiered waterfall. The half-mile trail is relatively flat and offers a viewing platform and a shallow pool at the base, making it ideal for a quick hike with young children
. - Crabtree Falls: This 2.83-mile loop trail located on the Blue Ridge Parkway is known for its beautiful waterfall and relatively easy hike. It’s a perfect spot for a scenic walk and enjoying the lush surroundings
. - Green Knob Lookout Tower: A short 0.76-mile trail near Mt. Mitchell offers a steep climb to an abandoned fire tower. The tower provides 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains, including Mt. Mitchell, Grandfather Mountain, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Harris Creek Trail: A 3.4-mile trail that links up with Woods Mountain Trail, this hike winds through coves and offers a manageable grade, making it a good option for a midweek outing
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Where People Build
The homes in Marian are built in both developed neighborhoods and on private properties. Developments to consider include: Specific developments to add to your search where we have many Moss Creek homes include:
- 1780 at Lake James
- Old Wildlife Club
- Catawba River Club
- The Arbor at Lake James
- The Beach Club at Lake James
- Bear Cliff at Lake James
- Black Forest
- Camp Lake James
- Cottage Park at Lake James
- Dry Creek
- East Shores at Lake James
- The Enclave at Lake James
- Lake View Pointe
- The Peninsula at Lake James
- Pisgah Reserve at Lake James
- Plantation Pointe
- Sunset Cove
- Forest Heights
- Southpointe
- Broadwater Landing on Lake Rhodhiss
- Doe Run at Lake Rhodhiss
- Edgewater on Lake Rhodhiss
- Harbor Ridge on Lake Rhodhiss
- Lake Vista on Lake Rhodhiss
- The Settings at Lake Rhodhiss
- Waterside on Lake Rhodhiss
- Grandview Peaks
Shopping
Marian and its surrounding areas offer a diverse range of shopping experiences, from unique boutiques and artisan markets to eclectic galleries and specialty stores. Here are some of the best places to shop in and around Marian:
- Downtown Marion Main Street: This district in Downtown Marion is a hub for shopping, dining, and experiencing local heritage. You’ll find a variety of gift shops, clothing boutiques, arts and crafts stores, and unique restaurants housed in beautiful historic buildings. It’s a perfect place to stroll, shop, and enjoy the local ambiance.
- Historic Downtown Marion Tailgate Market: Located at 67 W. Henderson Street, this market operates from May to October on Saturdays. It features fresh produce, meats, cheeses, flowers, baked goods, and locally made crafts, making it an excellent spot for both shopping and supporting local farmers and artisans.
- Founders’ Art Walk: This self-guided tour in historic downtown Marion showcases the county’s cultural heritage through collaborative outdoor art displays, providing a unique shopping and cultural experience
. - Mountain Laurel Antiques: Situated at 5031 US Highway 221 North, this store offers a diverse selection of antiques, including furniture, jewelry, and clothing. It’s a treasure trove for those looking to find unique items.
Restaurants
Marian offers a variety of delightful dining options that cater to diverse tastes. Here are some highly recommended restaurants in the area:
- Bruce’s Fabulous Foods: Located at 63 S Main St, this American eatery is known for its creative dishes and welcoming atmosphere. Popular items include the homemade quiche and the diverse sandwich selection.
- McDowell Local: Found at 23 N Main St, this family-owned restaurant focuses on locally sourced ingredients and offers a variety of dishes, including wood-fired pizzas and hearty burgers.
- Countryside BBQ: A local favorite at 2070 Rutherford Rd, this spot is renowned for its delicious barbecue and friendly service.
- Las Salsas: Located at 2474 NC-226, this restaurant specializes in traditional Mexican cuisine, offering dishes like sizzling fajitas and carne adovada molcajete, a pork loin served with spicy molcajete sauce.
- J. Hartman’s: This casual eatery at 1116 Rutherford Rd is known for its burgers, salads, and comfort food.
MossCreek, Your Natural Choice for Home Design
By Amanda Griffin
Over warm coffee and Zoom, I had a chance to sit down with Allen Halcomb, president of MossCreek, to discuss why so many people choose MossCreek to design their mountain or lake home getaway.
“Every two days, somewhere in the United States and Canada, someone moves into their new MossCreek home.” says Allen Halcomb. “That is extremely rewarding, but building a new home from concept through construction is a complex journey. It’s a process with lots of moving parts involving multiple phases, players, and pieces.”
“At Moss Creek, we believe the journey should be exciting and fulfilling for our clients, not stressful. Our experienced team understands this process, inside and out, and we’re dedicated to creating an experience that is as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. We are intensely proud of the fact that we’re small enough to focus carefully on every project, while still delivering world-class results.”
An Unparalleled Standard of Unique and Recognizable Design
During our conversation, it became apparent that a dream home doesn’t need to have style limitations that are dictated by where you live. The designers at MossCreek have knowledge and experience in understanding the regional influences on architectural style, and how to blend those styles to design a home tailored to each homeowner’s aesthetic preferences, lifestyle, and vision.
“No doubt MossCreek homes have a unique and identifiable style. We’re best known for our innovative Rustic home designs, and now we are blending them into Mountain Contemporary home styles as well” says Allen Halcomb. “We believe in blurring the lines between traditional living and contemporary living, and our cutting-edge designs showcase that.”
Two Great Ways to Work with MossCreek
Ready to Purchase Home Plans:
Living in a MossCreek home has been made easy with their broad collection of quick, affordable, and easy to modify house plans. These home plans are a great way to obtain a genuine MossCreek home in a streamlined process. You can browse the full collection to find just the right plan for your new home, or to discover new ideas to use in a custom designed home.
Custom Design
Crafting a detailed and intricate work of art such as a custom designed home takes time and personal attention. MossCreek’s custom design services let you realize your dream home as a one-of-a-kind work of art. Through this process, your custom home is carefully designed and tailored to meet your needs and desires. Custom home design by MossCreek is available in two levels of service: Traditional and Comprehensive. See “Custom Design” in our menu above to learn more the differences.
Regardless of which option you choose, you can be confident that your home design is world-class. Don’t just take their word for it, their homes have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Oprah Magazine, Log & Timber Magazine, and Mountain Living.
“At Moss Creek, we believe that ‘happiness’ is in the details” says Allen Halcomb.
