Looking around at some of the most rural counties in NC, you see a lot of properties listed on the NRHP, and in my casual looking there seems to be a lot that were listed in 1973-1976.
Is there any particular reason why there was such interest in listing on the NRHP for this region at this time? A theory I had heard once is that these properties were listed (in general, not specifically in this timeframe) as an easy way to attract some tourism interest. Is there any truth to that?
I'm not sure about NC in particular, but the 1976 was a big year for the NRHP. For one, it was the year the tax code was rewritten to provide a 20% credit for building owners who rehabbed their historic property.
But most importantly (and tied with this) was the fact that it was America's Bicentennial. In order to build anticipation and get people across the country involved a wave of new designations were made, giving those from all over the opportunity to celebrate the USA.