Columbus, NC

united states

Columbus is a small mountain town in western North Carolina that serves as Polk County's seat. Located along US 74 between Charlotte and Asheville, it's about 25 miles from both Chimney Rock State Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The town sits at 1,100 feet elevation in the foothills, giving it cooler summers than most of the state. The 1922 neoclassical courthouse with white columns dominates the historic downtown square.