Caldwell

Caldwell county was formed in 1841 from parts of Burke County and Wilkes County. In 1847 parts of Caldwell, Iredell, and Wilkes Counties were combined to form Alexander County. Then, in 1849 parts of Caldwell, Ashe, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties were combined to form Watauga County. In 1861, parts of Caldwell, Burke, McDowell, Watauga,and Yancey Counties were combined to from Mitchell County. Finally, in 1911 parts of Caldwell County, Mitchell County, and Watauga County were combined to form Avery County. It was named for Joseph Caldwell, the presiding professor of the University of North Carolina from 1796 to 1797; 1799 to 1804. Later, Caldwell became the first president of the University of North Carolina.