In 1928, two boys sat in a workshop in Tryon, huddled over a toy horse. Tryon Toymakers had become known across the state for creating miniature horses on wheels, known as Tryon Horses, but the boys imagined something bigger — much bigger. Under the direction of owner Eleanor Vance, they crafted a massive version of the town’s signature horse for the annual Tryon Horse Show parade. The towering toy was a hit: Each year, it was proudly paraded down the streets, until a fire destroyed it in 1939. Now, the fifth and final Tryon Horse has made its permanent home in the town center, where a new tradition was born: During the annual Christmas Stroll, the town gathers to lay a wreath on Morris the Horse — the centerpiece of Tryon Christmases past, present, and future.
Flaky buttermilk drop biscuits, creamy potato and sausage casserole, and soul-warming chicken and cabbage soup were among your favorite recipes in January. Find out what else made the list.
For only three days each week, a former hosiery mill building in the foothills becomes a barbecue destination powered by a hardworking family.
When demand for tobacco and cotton diminished, this one-square-mile Halifax County town followed suit. Now, one couple is revitalizing Littleton into a lively location once more.
Each year, Our State celebrates the very best in North Carolina craftsmanship with the Made in NC Awards. Meet the talented artisans who won top honors in 2022 — and watch them at work.
