The story goes that Sylva got its name from a wandering Dane, last name of Sylva, who worked for a time for Judge Riley Cannon at his sawmills, a few miles west of the town of Webster. The judge’s little granddaughter, whose father was General E. R. Hampton, thought a lot of William D. Sylva, and when the new settlement needed naming, she said, “’Sylva.’”. So, in 1879, Sylva was named and its post office opened in 1880. The town incorporated 8 years later.
The railroad instigated the county seat change from Webster to Sylva in 1913. Folks who favored moving the county seat, called “Removalists”, started pushing for the change in the late 1800s. Sylva had a railroad and Webster didn’t; Sylva’s economy was starting to grow. And, the richest man in town, C.J. Harris, also an active Removalist, told the county citizens he’d build a new courthouse, not to exceed $30,000, if the move was approved. So, for a railroad and a new courthouse, Sylva became the county seat of Jackson County. That courthouse, situated on a hill above town, is currently the Jackson County public library.
The most photographed courthouse in NC. It now houses the public library. There's also a drive to the rear of the building.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/520939881872927666/ Stanley Nations, seen 2.5.2024
In very close-by Cullowhee, Western Carolina University, the Catamounts, was founded in 1889. Founded to educate the people of western North Carolina, its first name was Cullowhee Academy. Through several name changes, the 5th of the 16 universities in the University of North Carolina school system became Western Carolina University. It’s known for its education, music, construction engineering and outdoor education programs.
What’s in Sylva? There’s a Lowes building supply store, Ingles, Food Lion, Walmart Supercenter, Walgreens, CVS, & independent pharmacies Kel-Save Discount Drugs, Eastgate Pharmacy, & Mark’s Pharmacy. Harris Regional Hospital is an 86 bed acute care facility. About 20 restaurants, outdoor stores, books & antiques shops provide food & shopping. The Mad Batter has great pizza. Visit Creekside restaurant. There’s a Brewery Trail, too: Innovation, Balsam Falls, Lazy Hiker Brewing & Nantahala Brewing Company. https://cdn.discoverjacksonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Jackson-County-Ale-Trail-Map-1.pdf For sweets, visit Baxley’s Chocolates for handcrafted candy; https://baxleyschocolates.com/.