Its boundaries, in general, span a three-mile radius from the intersection of U.S. Route 221 (US 221) and North Carolina Highway 181 (NC 181).

A number of choose and cut Christmas tree farms dot the community for seasonal visitors.

The Linville River flows through the area, and is impounded by a dam into what was the original Anthony Lake for several resort communities.

On July 21, 1914, the community was renamed Pineola after the Pine trees growing in the vicinity and Ola Penland, daughter of a local hotel keeper.

The East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad ("Tweetsie") operated in the community until 1939, when it received permission from the Interstate Commerce Commission to abandon Pineola.