Saluda, North Carolina

Saluda, North Carolina
City
Location of Saluda, North Carolina
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
Counties	Polk, Henderson
Area
• Total	1.6 sq mi (4.0 km2)
• Land	1.6 sq mi (4.0 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	2,103 ft (641 m)
Population  (2000)
• Total	575
• Density	369.1/sq mi (142.5/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	28773
Area code	828
FIPS code	37-58920Template:GR
GNIS feature ID	0994200Template:GR

The City of Saluda is located in Henderson and Polk counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 713 at the 2010 census. Saluda is famous for sitting at the top of the Norfolk Southern Railway's Saluda Grade, the steepest main line standard gauge railroad line in the United States. The main street of Saluda is a bustling hub of newly formed restaurants and art galleries. Tourists and cyclists are common on summer and fall weekends due to the many winding mountain roads located around Saluda. The main town festivals are Coon Dog Day, The Saluda Arts Festival, and The Home Town Christmas Celebration. Saluda has a location along the South Carolina state line with proximity to Greenville-Spartanburg, SC and Asheville, NC.

Geography

Saluda is located at 35°14′16″N 82°20′49″W (35.237856, -82.346870),Template:GR primarily within Polk County. Elevation on Main Street: 2097 ft.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.0 km²), all land.

Saluda has a small pristine lake, Lake Summit, which is just large enough for motor boats.

Geology and seismology

Earthquake activity:

Saluda-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above North Carolina state average. It is 85% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

1. On 8/2/1974 at 08:52:09, a magnitude 4.9 (4.3 MB, 4.9 LG, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 94.8 miles away from the city center
2. On 11/30/1973 at 07:48:41, a magnitude 4.7 (4.7 MB, 4.6 ML) earthquake occurred 98.9 miles away from Saluda center
3. On 8/25/2005 at 03:09:42, a magnitude 3.6 (3.6 MW, Depth: 5.0 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 51.2 miles away from the city center
4. On 12/7/2007 at 11:07:03, a magnitude 3.1 (3.1 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 10.5 miles away from the city center
5. On 8/4/2007 at 10:04:46, a magnitude 3.0 (3.0 LG, Depth: 5.8 mi) earthquake occurred 22.7 miles away from Saluda center
6. On 6/16/2006 at 00:57:27, a magnitude 3.1 (3.1 LG, Depth: 2.9 mi) earthquake occurred 53.3 miles away from the city center

Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML), moment magnitude (MW)

Demographics

As of the 2010 Census, there were 713 people and 493 households with 310 currently occupied, 141 seasonal/recreational/occasional use houses, and 28 for sale/rent. The population density as of the 2000 censusTemplate:GR, was 369.1 people per square mile (142.3/km²). The racial makeup was 95.65% White, 2.66% African American, 0.28% Asian, 0.28% American Indian and Alaska Native, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.96% of the population.

There were 265 households out of which 20.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.70.

The City of Saluda was 43.76% male and 56.24% female. The population was 14.59% under the age of 18. The population over 18 was spread into five categories: 2.52% from age 18 to 24, 4.91% from 25 to 34, 17.11% from 35 to 49, 25.10% from 50 to 60, and 34.90% from age 65 and older.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,063, and the median income for a family was $47,188. Males had a median income of $37,917 versus $25,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,149. About 3.8% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

Saluda City Officials

The current Mayor of Saluda as of 2011 is Fred Baisden. Baisden grew up in Gordon, Georgia and attended Georgia Southern University majoring in Industrial Management. After graduating University in 1972, Baisden worked for Milliken and co. until 1976. He then worked for Abbott Laboratories for 30 years until making permanent residence in Saluda, North Carolina in February 2007. Prior to being Mayor, Baisden attended monthly commissioner meetings on the Saluda Planning Board. Baisden is currently working to improve Saludas infrastructure and lower costs for residents.

After being elected to the Saluda Commissioner Board in November 2007, John H. Morgan is "working to provide services more efficiently and provide guidance with respect to zoning and development". Morgan grew up in California and received his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting at California State University and later was awarded a Masters Degree in Business Administration. Morgan worked for the US Air Force for 21 years and retired in 1993. Morgan then worked as an airline captain training pilots and currently works part time for the company. Morgan has lived in Saluda since 2000. He decided to get involved with the city government to "preserve the Saluda we know and love"

Johnnie Kinard retired from the Poline Commissioner and a two year Mayor Pro Tem in 1999 after 9 years. Kinard is a third generation resident and moved to Saluda in 1982. Kinard was born and raised in Texas and received a BA, MBA and JD at the University of Texas. He worked for the Texas State Legislature as Legislative Assistant, Asst. Sergeant at Arms, Asst. Secretary of the Senate and Liaison from Gov. Office to Dept. of Public Safety & Texas Rangers.

Leon Morgan served on the Saluda Planning and Zoning Board for three years and is currently serving a second term as the City Commissioner as of 2010. Morgan was born in Saluda in 1944 and has lived there his whole life. Graduating from Saluda High School, Morgan then served the US Army from 1966 to 1968 in Vietnam before being honorably discharged as Sergeant. Morgan spent 40 years in the construction and furniture business. He owns Somewhere In Time which is a retail business located on Main St. Saluda. Morgan also re-opened the historic M.A. Pace General Store.

Attractions

Festivals

Saluda Arts Festival

Fine artists from all over western North Carolina and South Carolina exhibit and sell oil, water colors, acrylic paintings and drawings, wood working, photography, pottery, jewelry, sculptures, stained glass, metal working, and more. The festival also offers live demonstrations of landscape painting, weaving, pottery, and blacksmithing.

Coon Dog Day Festival

Coon Dog Day is one of the oldest festivals in Saluda, it is a homecoming and celebration which includes food, live music,a parade, crafts, street dance, and more. The festival also includes a 5k race and a benefit breakfast at the Saluda Masonic Lodge.

Saluda Home Town Christmas

Main Street is decked out in Christmas lights and holiday decorations. This long-standing tradition has become a way for Saluda residents to come together and celebrate the holiday season. Businesses and shops are open and serve holiday refreshments while local musicians perform. The open house and musical events are closed with an ecumenical service delivered by Saluda ministers at the Saluda Presbyterian Church.

Education

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Saluda:

• Furman University (about 23 miles; Greenville, SC; Full-time enrollment: 2,673)
• Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (about 26 miles; Asheville, NC; FT enrollment: 2,312)
• Bob Jones University (about 27 miles; Greenville, SC; FT enrollment: 3,701)
• University of South Carolina-Upstate (about 28 miles; Spartanburg, SC; FT enrollment: 4,162)
• Spartanburg Community College (about 28 miles; Spartanburg, SC; FT enrollment: 3,076)
• Greenville Technical College (about 29 miles; Greenville, SC; FT enrollment: 6,910)
• University of North Carolina at Asheville (about 29 miles; Asheville, NC; FT enrollment: 3,135)

Public elementary/middle school in Saluda:

• Saluda Elementary (Location: 214 E Main Street; Grades: PK - 5)

Economy

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Saluda:

• ST LUKES HOSPITAL (Critical Access Hospitals, Voluntary non-profit - Private, provides emergency services, about 10 miles away; COLUMBUS, NC)
• MARGARET R PARDEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (Acute Care Hospitals, Government - Local, provides emergency services, about 13 miles away; HENDERSONVILLE, NC)
• PARK RIDGE HOSPITAL (Acute Care Hospitals, Voluntary non-profit - Other, provides emergency services, about 17 miles away; FLETCHER, NC)

Transportation

Interstate

I-26 is just down the road.

Notable people

Some of the early residents of Saluda included:Benjamin Staton, William Metcalf, Burrell Pope Pace, Samuel Gordon, three of whom are buried in the Metcalf graveyard in the Fork Creek community ,the fourth was buried on a hillside in 1815 in what later became the Old Mountain Page Graveyard. His graveyard is one of present day Henderson County's oldest graves. Some historians believe Benjamin Staton to be the first white man to live in present day Henderson County. At the time he built his home in the community of Saluda, this was in Greenville county, SC. The state line was later changed and the land Staton owned at the time is now present day Henderson County.

References

tag

External links

• City website