The History & Heritage of Mitchell County, NC
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.
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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:
The Red & White Strings: Isaac English in the Civil War
Presentation is May 20
The Civil War in the Toe River Valley pitted brother against brother in more ways that expected. One famous story from that era involved Isaac English, the then-owner of the historic English Inn located in Spruce Pine. English was a staunch Union supporter and he assisted 4 Union officers who escaped from a South Carolina prison camp to get back to Union lines and Kirk’s Brigade in the middle of the conflict. The Mitchell County Historical Society will host an event telling their story on Monday, May 20th at 7:00 p.m. at the English Inn at 240 English Road in Spruce Pine. Using a recently uncovered documentation of the journey written by one of the four officers, presenters David Biddix, Amanda Biddix, and Jonathan Bennett will paint a picture of the conflict in the Toe River Valley, giving you a drastically different idea of what many imagined the Civil War to be on both sides in the region.
The presentation is Monday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the English Inn located in Spruce Pine [map]. Admission is free and we welcome anyone who has an interest to attend!
Newsletter
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 1ST QUARTER 2019 NEWSLETTER (PDF file – opens with the free Adobe Reader software).
What’s New on the Site
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!
Places
Interesting stories
Mitchell County and the May Fresh of 1901
David Crockett described the flood of the Nolichucky in 1791 as “the second epistle to Noah’s fresh.” Most likely, since the Toe River feeds the Nolichucky and Cane Creek feeds the Toe River, the folks in what’s now Mitchell County also had to deal with high water....
read morePeople
Significant Individuals
Charles A. Murphy – In Memoriam
Charles Augustus Murphy was born in Mitchell County on 5 April 1924. His parents were Joseph Ellis Murphy (1888-1964) and Hester Pendley (1887-1984). Charles graduated from Harris High School in Spruce Pine in 1941 and registered for the draft in 1942, when he was...
read moreHistory
Happenings of note
The Civil War – A Series of Three Stories
Off To War, 1861 A series of three Civil War Stories published in the Mitchell News-Journal in 2011 By Pat Turner Mitchell Most of us have heard of an ancestor who fought in the War Between the States. Farther south people call it the War of Great Unpleasantness. Most...
read moreCommunities
Unique locales in Mitchell County
Mitchell County and the May Fresh of 1901
David Crockett described the flood of the Nolichucky in 1791 as “the second epistle to Noah’s fresh.” Most likely, since the Toe River feeds the Nolichucky and Cane Creek feeds the Toe River, the folks in what’s now Mitchell County also had to deal with high water....
read moreIcons
These define Mitchell County
“Doc” Hoppes – The Minstrel of Brushy Creek
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...
read moreEconomics
Making a living in Mitchell County
The Little Boxes before the Big Boxes
Before the days of the “big box” chain stores, Spruce Pine had many “mom and pop” grocery stores that served the area. There were also many smaller stores in almost every community. There was even a branch of the Dixie Home Store on Lower Street for several years that...
read moreUpcoming Events
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.
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