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.
Donate to MCHS
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:
Overmountain Victory Historic Trail Presentation is June 17
The Overmountain Victory Historic Trail is a 330 mile route through Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina that traces the path taken by the Overmountain Men, the famous militia that defeated the British and their leader Patrick Ferguson at the Battle of Kings Mountain on October 7, 1780. Starli McDowell, Executive Director of the Toe River Watershed Partnership, will discuss the trail and the plans to construct a section that will connect Spruce Pine to Lake James at our June presentation. It will be held June 17th at 7:00 p.m.in the Historic Mitchell County Courthouse in Bakersville. Admission is free and we invite all to attend.
Learn more about the Overmountain Victory Historic Trail and about the Battle of Kings Mountain.
Newsletter
NewsletterWant 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
North Carolina Rhododendron Festival: Roots and Twigs
The beautiful Rhododendron flower is celebrated worldwide. These celebrations include festivals in Port Logan, England; Edinburgh, Scotland; Muroji, Japan; Taranaki, a bit south of New Plymouth, New Zealand: Florence, OR; Me, CA; Plymouth, MA; and tad closer to home,...
read morePeople
Significant Individuals
Spruce Pine Esso on the Corner of Greenwood and Highland
The building in the photograph was on the corner of Greenwood Road and Highland Avenue, just across from Town Hall, according to Max L. Gouge (1926-2015), who made notes and drew a map on the reverse of the photo. His notes state that the original Esso Station in...
read moreHistory
Happenings of note
North Carolina Rhododendron Festival: Roots and Twigs
The beautiful Rhododendron flower is celebrated worldwide. These celebrations include festivals in Port Logan, England; Edinburgh, Scotland; Muroji, Japan; Taranaki, a bit south of New Plymouth, New Zealand: Florence, OR; Me, CA; Plymouth, MA; and tad closer to home,...
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
Spruce Pine Esso on the Corner of Greenwood and Highland
The building in the photograph was on the corner of Greenwood Road and Highland Avenue, just across from Town Hall, according to Max L. Gouge (1926-2015), who made notes and drew a map on the reverse of the photo. His notes state that the original Esso Station in...
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.
| SunSunday | MonMonday | TueTuesday | WedWednesday | ThuThursday | FriFriday | SatSaturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 26, 2019 | May 27, 2019 | May 28, 2019 | May 29, 2019 | May 30, 2019 | May 31, 2019 | June 1, 2019 |
| June 2, 2019 | June 3, 2019 | June 4, 2019 | June 5, 2019 | June 6, 2019 | June 7, 2019 | June 8, 2019 |
| June 9, 2019 | June 10, 2019 | June 11, 2019 | June 12, 2019 | June 13, 2019 | June 14, 2019 | June 15, 2019 |
| June 16, 2019 | June 17, 2019 | June 18, 2019 | June 19, 2019 | June 20, 2019 | June 21, 2019 | June 22, 2019 |
| June 23, 2019 | June 24, 2019 | June 25, 2019 | June 26, 2019 | June 27, 2019 | June 28, 2019 | June 29, 2019 |
| June 30, 2019 | July 1, 2019 | July 2, 2019 | July 3, 2019 | July 4, 2019 | July 5, 2019 | July 6, 2019 |