The county was made in 1777 from Rowan County. In 1791 parts of Burke County and Rutherford County were made into Buncombe County. In 1833 parts of Burke County and Buncombe County were made into Yancey County. In 1841 parts of Burke County and Wilkes County were made into Caldwell County. In 1842 more parts of Burke County and Rutherford County were made into McDowell County. And in 1861 parts of Burke County, Caldwell County, McDowell County, Watauga County, and Yancey County were made into Mitchell County.