A lunar connection and desirable lake access in Rhodhiss, North Carolina
Spanning both sides of the Catawba River in the Blue Ridge Foothills of western North Carolina, Rhodhiss is a town of about 1000 people. “It’s a little town, an old mill town,” says Christ Getty, a Realtor and broker with eXp Realty who has done work throughout the area. Textile mills were the dominant industry through the town’s early history, and the Burke Mill here even made the fabric used for the U.S. flag that Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin planted on the moon, a fact celebrated on the town’s seal. A dam near the town creates Lake Rhodhiss, a long, narrow lake that stretches west with 90 miles of shoreline. “The lakes around here are a big part of the draw,” Gettys says. “There’s great fishing, and tons of places to hunt and hike. Lots of outdoor activities.”
Ranch homes with wide lawns and farmhouses among the hills
South of the river, ranch-style homes sit on wide, open lawns, while half-story homes line Carolina Avenue in the center of the township. North of the river, the area gets hilly, with more ranch-style homes, farmhouses and half-stories, and the occasional opulent home in a secluded pocket of woods. Manufactured homes sit along River Ridge Lane. “It’s an interesting market,” Gettys says. “A lot of the houses there are small, maybe built in the 1940s. There are some manufactured homes. But you’re also right on Lake Rhodihss, and there are some newer pockets where prices can climb.” Overall, the median price here for single-family homes is about $225,000, lower than the national median. “Even though prices are up, it’s still more affordable than lots of other parts of the country,” Gettys says.
Town parks and access to Lake Rhodhiss and Lake James
Parks in or near this area include Rhodhiss Town Park, which offers open space, picnic areas and a walking track. Horseshoe Dam Park has a trail along the Catawba River and places to launch canoes and kayaks. Lake Rhodhiss is a big recreation draw. “Rhodhiss is a very clean lake, very clear water,” Gettys says. “There’s great fishing there, especially." The chain of lakes, made by dams along the Catawba, carries on west to Lake James. “Lake James State Park is a ways away, but it’s only 45 minutes,” Gettys says. “It’s a great state park with hiking trails, camping areas and a little public beach. And there are hiking areas all over the mountains.”
Burke County Schools partner with Western Piedmont Community College
Students here can attend Burke County Schools, a highly rated district with an A-minus grade from Niche. Ray Childers Elementary earns a B, East Burke Middle scores a B-plus and East Burke High also scores a B. Burke County Schools partners with Western Piedmont Community College for the Career & College Promise program, which allows juniors and seniors to earn free college credits to put toward transferring to a four-year college or toward a career and technical education pathway.
Nearby highways and a biking and walking improvement plan
U.S. Route 70 runs about 5 miles south of Rhodiss, and Interstate 40 is about a mile past 70. U.S. Route 321 is accessible in Granite Falls. Charlotte is about 65 miles away, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport is about 55 miles away. Valdese General Hospital is just under 7 miles away. This is a car-dependent area. However, the Western Piedmont Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan is taking public comments as of April 2025 and seeks to expand biking and walking options for residents in the region.
Nearby farmers market, baseball and a celebration of the dam’s centennial
Granite Falls has a farmers market from May to October. Residents can also cheer on the Hickory Crawdads minor league baseball team. Rhodiss is hosting a Summer Fling event to mark the dam’s 100th anniversary with vendors, music and fireworks.
Local restaurants and shopping essentials are a short drive away
Copper Penny Grill is one of the only dining spots in Rhodhiss, but there are other opportunities for shopping and dining options a short drive away. “Amos Howards has some of the best wings and burgers,” Gettys says. “That’s near Hickory.” Just north in Granite Falls, residents can find City BBQ and Captain’s Galley Seafood. Rhodhiss has a Dollar General. A Walmart Supercenter is about 4 miles away outside of Granite Falls, while an IGA Market Fresh and a Food Lion are near Long View, about 5 miles south.
