Until 1995, Hazelwood had its own main street, and was its own little mountain town.  However, due to financial problems, it dissolved and became part of Waynesville. Hazelwood Village as it is now referred, never lost that little town feel.

Although… there have been a few changes.

The grocery store is now a specialty gift and cloth shop, called Vertigo.  When you visit, take time to look at the architecture, especially the original upper windows.  The owners still remember where the produce was kept and where you could find the milk.

The old Hazelwood Elementary school is now the home of Folkmoot USA.

And, among the new cluster of shops still lining the “main” street, is a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, gift and antique stores, and a new coffee roaster.

One of many picturesque areas in Haywood County, NC. 

Jonathan Creek is sometimes referred to as J-Creek and it is a community in Waynesville, NC.  This area hosts the Appalachian Amusement Center Vertical Wind Tunnel, The Lily Patch, The Swag and more.  This area was at one time referred to as the community of Dellwood.  Some of the local folks refer to this area as the gateway into Maggie Valley, NC.

If you are traveling from Maggie Valley or Waynesville to visit Cataloochee Valley, this is your route. Take 276 North and follow that road to Cove Creek Road on the left (about five miles.) Take Cove Creek Road and follow the signs to Cataloochee Valley.

Jonathan Creek Community in Haywood County, NC Photo: CGI Group

Back in the day, the Francis Grist Mill was the place to come for community gossip and news on the area.  Today, in Bethel, the place to be is the Bethel Grocery.  It is here that you might find L.D. Griffin signing a copy of his book “Cold Mountain Hunter”.  Or buy some of the greatest home grown corn you’ll find anywhere.

Corn Field in Haywood County

Bethel is a farming community, and most of the local folk want to keep it that way.  It is here that you will find fields of tomatoes, peppers, and other crops.  The Blue Ridge Parkway lines its southern border, and from almost any direction you can see Cold Mountain, the peak made famous by Charles Frazier’s novel and subsequent movie.

The Pigeon River winds its way through the community providing some of the best fishing in the county for tourists and residents.  Others prefer to hike in the many wilderness areas within the Pisgah National Forest.

The Bethel area is growing with the addition of a new elementary school, and is home to one of three Middle Schools in Haywood County.

Every year the Bethel Rural Community Organization celebrates and preserves the enormously rich heritage of the Bethel Community by conducting the Cold Mountain Tour.  This area is the real home of “Pinkney” Inman of Cold Mountain fame.  His gravesite is a stop on the tour.

A special thanks to Rick Hall of CGI Group for these wonderful photos.

Bethel is a Farming Community

The Haywood County Tomato in Fields in the Bethel Community

Green Peppers on the vine in Bethel - a community in Haywood County