Yancey County is named for Bartlett Yancey, who was a United States Congressman, Speaker of the North Carolina Senate and an early advocate for the North Carolina Public School System.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Unicoi County, Tennessee and Mitchell County
E – Mitchell County and McDowell County
S – McDowell County and Buncombe County
W – Buncombe County and Madison County
Created: 1833 
County Seat:
Burnsville 1833 – present
County Courthouse – Burnsville
Location: 110 Town Square / East Main Street
Built: 1964 – 1965
Style: Modern Colonial Revival
Architect: Six Associates
Contractor: Z B Robinson Construction Company
Description: The building faces west and is a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Burnsville. The west front has a central entrance with peaked roof above. On the center of the roof is a thin high cupola. The courtroom is located on the second story. The building houses the County Superior Courtand County District Court of the 24th Judicial District.
Old County Courthouse – Burnsville
Location: 2 Town Square / West Main Street
Built: 1908– 1909
Style: Neo-Classical
Architect: H L Lewman of Louisville, Kentucky
Contractor: H L Lewman & Company of Louisville, Kentucky
Description: The building faces north and is a two story stone block structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Burnsville and is now the building is now the City Hall. The north front raises to a peak at the roof line. On the center of the roof is a square tired clock tower. The interior has wood and title and walls of plaster. The old courtroom is located on the second story.
See: The 24th Judicial District includes Avery County, Madison County, Mitchell County and Watauga County.
History: The county was created in 1833 and Buensville was selected as the county seat. The first courts met in a temporary building from 1834 to 1836. The first courthouse was a brick structure erected at Burnsville in 1836. The second was constructed in 1908 to 1909 and is still standing. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1964 to 1965.
Note: The highest point in North Carolina is Mount Mitchell at 6684 feet ( 2032 meters ) which is located in the county.
County Courthouse – Burnsville
Old County Courthouse – Burnsville
Mount Mitchell
Photos taken 1968 and 2012