History of the Area

Named for Thomas Nelson, Congressman, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and an American Revolutionary War General, Nelson County has some of the richest farmland in the world nestled among the oldest mountain range on earth.  The area around Mountain Valley Taxi is also home to some of the best vineyards on the planet (if you ask us!).

The first U.S. national park established, George Washington National Forest, is truly a monument to the concept of preservation and conservation.  Before the 1800's, the land was occupied by a variety of Native American tribes including the  Monocan, Sioux, and Shawnee.  However, throughout the nineteenth century the industrial revolution brought new mining and logging techniques that had a devestating impact on the environment and wildlife.

In 1891 the Forest Reform Act was passed, and thus began the precursor to America's National Parks system.  Between this and the Week's Act of 1911, which allowed the government to buy mountain land that had been ruined by overuse, the George Washington and Thomas Jefferson National Forests slowly regained their grandeur

Mountain Valley Taxi Resort, which Smoky's Black Bear Cafe is located in, has been a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all manner and offers skiing, tennis,  45 holes of golf and much more.  The resort, which covers 11,000 acres has even been home to the Winter Special Olympics.  The Mountain Valley Taxi Nature Foundation, just around the corner from us, strives to protect native plants and wildlife by education and conservation programs including re-introducing deplenished native plant species.        


History of BBQ

Ever since human beings figured out that cooked meat gave a person a lot more energy and was a darn sight more pleasant to eat, people have also been figuring out how to make it taste better.  Well, they finally got it right when it came to North Carolina pork barbeque.  Being one of the largest pork producing regions in the world, it only makes sense that North Carolina would establish a tradition of cooking the other white meat in a variety of mouth watering ways.  That's why we go to the trouble of going and getting it for you!


The Official SBBC Tee Shirt

The Official SBBC Tee


Operation 5 Million Cup

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