Valdese is a Western North Carolina town with a rich history
The smell of freshly baked bread wafts through Valdese, a Burke County town that takes pride in its heritage and industry. The community, founded by Waldensian settlers in the late 1800s, was known as North Carolina’s fastest-growing town by the early 20th century. Today, more than 4,600 people enjoy its small-town atmosphere, charming Main Street and recreation on Lake Rhodhiss. “People live there for years. They have a few little shops, coffee shops and restaurants,” says Robin Zema, the owner of Zema Realty Group, who’s lived in the region for over two decades. Along with textile and furniture manufacturers, the town is known for its Bimbo Bakeries USA facility, which is housed in the historic Waldensian Baking Company building on Main Street. The company is behind well-known baked goods brands like Entenmann’s and Sara Lee.
Single-family homes for less than the national median
Valdese offers a range of single-family homes, from early 20th-century bungalows and midcentury ranch-style homes close to downtown to custom lakefront estates built in recent years. Properties on the town’s southern edge come with mountain views. “The housing market is a little slower. We’re seeing a lack of inventory, but things are selling fairly quickly,” says Chris Gettys, a Realtor with eXp Realty Mooresville and a lifelong resident of the area. The median price for a home in Valdese is around $245,000, well below the national median.
Downtown Valdese hosts shops, restaurants and the Waldensian Festival
Redbrick sidewalks link vintage storefronts and museums along Main Street. The downtown stretch, featuring murals and sculptures, is a destination for dining and boutique shopping. Here, an embroidery business sits between a brewery and a collectibles shop. Residents can browse several thrift and consignment stores before getting a bite to eat at local restaurants serving American, Mexican and Italian cuisines. Myra's Smashburgers & Creamery is a longtime community staple. The retro diner, adorned with fluorescent lights and whimsical décor, stands out among the brick buildings. Antique vehicles pull into the restaurant’s ice cream cone-painted parking spaces for a Classic Car Cruise-In every Friday night during the warmer months. Downtown Valdese hosts the annual Waldensian Festival each August. The street festival celebrates the town’s heritage with two days of family-friendly fun, from live music and amusement rides to a bocce tournament and tours. Food Lion and Dollar General are in town, but for larger shopping trips, residents typically drive to nearby cities like Morganton and Hickory, which have national retailers.
Historical theater is at the forefront of this town's art scene
Every summer since 1967, the local theatrical troupe Old Colony Players has honored the town’s founding through the outdoor drama “From This Day Forward.” The production shares the story of the Waldenses, from their religious persecution in Europe to establishing Valdese in North America. Fred Cranford, a native of Burke County, wrote the production, which draws audiences to the amphitheater named after him every Friday and Saturday from mid-July through mid-August.
Art is celebrated year-round at the historic Old Rock School. The stone building along Main Street hosts art exhibitions, classes and concerts and serves as the home base for the Rock School Arts Foundation. The nonprofit supports area artists through events like the Valdese Plein Air Fest, which invites painters to get out of the studio and into nature. An art exhibition, a wet paint sale and a reception follow the day of artistic creation. Valdese Family Friday Nights, a summer concert series held at Temple Field outside Valdese Elementary, highlights local musicians.
Exercising and connecting with nature in Valdese
Parks, plazas and recreational spaces dot Valdese. Rhodhiss Lake is the main attraction, popular for watersports and reeling in bass and crappies. “Lake Rhodhiss is a very calm lake. It doesn’t have a lot of commercial businesses on it yet,” Zema says. The 300-acre Lakeside Park offers water access and seven miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking. The greenway is a notable trail, offering hikers the chance to see blue herons and cross a suspension bridge. The trail leads to McGalliard Falls Park, known for its scenic natural falls and the Meytre Grist Mill, which is a historic landmark tied to the Waldensian people. Youth baseball and soccer teams play at Fletcher Ball Park, while the Jimmy C. Draughn Aquatic and Fitness Center is the spot for daily workouts, swimming and bowling. The Valdese Recreation Department organizes events throughout the year, from a youth fishing tournament at McGalliard Falls to the Waldensian Footrace & Fun Run. With the Blue Ridge Mountains and the South Mountains nearby, more adventure is a drive away. "The mountains are a hop, skip and a jump away. If you want to be at the beach, it's only a 4- or 5-hour drive," Gettys says.
Many students in Valdese go to the same public schools
Burke County Public Schools serves Valdese and earns an A-minus overall rating from Niche. The district has nearly 12,000 students and 27 schools, which offer specialty programs and career and technical education. Most homes in Valdese are zoned for the B-rated Valdese Elementary. Students can move on to Heritage Middle, which earns an A-minus and Jimmy C. Draughn High, which gets a B-plus. Christ Classical Academy, not yet rated by Niche, is a private option nearby in Connelly Springs. Western Piedmont Community College is less than 10 miles away.
Two highways connect Valdese to the rest of Western North Carolina
U.S. Route 70, known locally as Main Street, weaves through the town center. It connects Valdese to neighboring communities like Rutherford College, which is home to UNC Health Blue Ridge–Valdese, and nearby cities such as Morganton and Hickory. Interstate 40, the state’s mountain-to-sea highway, is south of town and can be used to reach Charlotte Douglas International Airport, over 60 miles away.
