The History & Heritage
of Mitchell County, NC

The History & Heritage of Mitchell County, NC

The History & Heritage
of Mitchell County, NC

William Ritter Headlines August Presentation

What’s New on the Site

Places

Decoration Day in the Mountains

The Revolutionary War Marches Through Mitchell County in September 1780

People

World War 1 Cannon sat beside the Spruce Pine Depot

Ellis Family Reunion

History

World War 1 Cannon sat beside the Spruce Pine Depot

Ellis Family Reunion

Icons

“Doc” Hoppes – The Minstrel of Brushy Creek

The Historic Mitchell County Courthouse

Economics

Penland Post Office and General Store

Peterson Store in Huntdale

William Ritter Headlines August Presentation

Newsletter

What’s New on the Site

Places

People

History

Icons

Economics

Donate to MCHS

Donate to MCHS

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

The Mitchell County Historical Society is committed to the preservation of the history, heritage, and culture of Mitchell County, North Carolina. We hope you enjoy your visit and stop by often for updated stories, photos, and videos.

The Mitchell County Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your contributions help us continue our work. Please consider making an online donation by clicking the button below:

Photo of William Ritter We hope you will make plans to join us Monday, August 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the Historic Courthouse in Bakersville and join us for Mitchell County’s own William Ritter as he presents Saving Songs and Seeds. It will be an evening of traditional mountain music and talk about the old mountain tradition of “seed-savin,” where families would save seeds from their gardens and pass down the old mountain crop strains from generation to generation. Plus, Will welcomes anyone who has seeds to share to bring them to the presentation.

William is a native of Bakersville and an alum of Western Carolina University. He graduated with a degree in Technical Theatre, but spent most of his time in school studying the musical folk traditions of Western North Carolina. Recently, William received his Master of Arts in Appalachian Culture and Music from Appalachian State University. William plays banjo, fiddle, guitar, and other “string-ed things.” He is particularly interested in old apple trees and mountain humor–ever eager to swap lies, half-truths, jokes, and seeds.

You can learn more about William and his wife Sarah Ogletree at their website.

Want to learn more about what is taking place with the Historical Society? We release a quarterly newsletter with information on programs, events, updates on projects, and much, much more. MCHS members receive the newsletter as part of their membership early each quarter.

Take a look at our CURRENT NEWSLETTER (PDF file – opens with the free Adobe Reader software).

Here are our latest posts about Mitchell County’s history. We welcome suggestions for topics to add. Please use our contact page to submit your ideas to us!

Interesting stories

Oct 20, 2018

Much of the Mountain South still observes Decoration Day, a tradition since soon after the Civil War; most believe the custom was emulated in the North and eventually became our national holiday, Memorial Day. Most often held in the warmer months, from May to...

Oct 16, 2018

In September of 1780, the Revolutionary War marched through what is now the Toe River Valley. Hundreds of Overmountain Men from the Watauga Settlement in Tennessee came across Roan Mountain, and down Roaring Creek to the North Toe River. They followed the Toe through...

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Significant Individuals

Oct 20, 2018

Spruce Pine had a cannon from World War I on Lower Street to honor the Great War in the 1930s. It was placed there by Minerals Post 207 of the American Legion (based in Spruce Pine) after they received it from the U.S. Government. Pictured left to right are (first...

Oct 20, 2018

It’s unfortunate that Family Reunions are not as common as they once were; our busy lives and far-flung residences preclude the annual event that extended families used to enjoy. Three or more generations would gather at the “old home place,” happy to see new babies...

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Happenings of note

Oct 20, 2018

Oct 20, 2018

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These define Mitchell County

Mar 3, 2018

Mitchell County was well represented at the Chicago World’s Fair of 1933. Miss Lucy Morgan of Penland unveiled the “Carolina Cabin” at the event that showcased the handicrafts, music, folklore, and people of the Southern Highlands. An unusual attraction was scheduled...

Jan 18, 2018

The first Mitchell County Courthouse, built in 1869, served the county well until 1907 with the grand opening of the new Courthouse which was built on the site of the first courthouse. More than just a courtroom where justice was served, the building was a gateway to...

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Making a living in Mitchell County

The building which houses the Penland Post Office and, for many years, a general mercantile, was constructed in 1902 by Isaac Bailey, a Confederate Colonel and later NC Senator from Mitchell County. Two years later, Bailey and his wife, Louisa Penland, donated land...

The tiny town of Huntdale, NC, became a thriving community after the Clinchfield Railroad made its way through the Nolichucky Gorge in the early 1900s. In 1890, the Clinchfield tracks reached Erwin, TN, which was less than 20 miles away from Huntdale. Many Western...

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Check out the upcoming events from the Mitchell County Historical Society. Click or tap on a date that is highlighted for information on what’s happening.

13 10:00 am: Apple Butter Festival