The county was named for the Watauga River, whose name is said to be a Native American word, the translations that range from among them, beautiful water, whispering waters, village of many springs, and river of islands. It is located in the northwestern corner of the state. Register of Deeds has birth and death records from 1914, marriage records from 1872 and land records. Clerk of Superior Court has divorce, probate and court records from 1872.
