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 Men Radio Show/Podcast Wrapping Up
The radio broadcast from WTOE and WKYK of Footsteps for Freedom concluded October 11th with our 30th Episode. Thsnk you for joining us for the series!
BUT WE’RE NOT THROUGH! We are putting the finishing touches on a roundtable discussion featuring Jonathan Bennett, David Biddix, Rhonda Gunter, and Chris Hollifield. We will take a look at the work behind the scenes to produce the episodes. We will discuss the events and people involved with the battle and share opinions on our research and more. The final episode is podcast-only and will be posted in the next week.
Our resource page for the Overmountain Men and the Battle of Kings Mountain is still available along with all thirty episodes of the program. You can listen to them online or download them using the various podcatching software (Apple Music, Google Music, etc.) so check it out and catch up on anything you missed, or listen to the final program when it is posted.
The 2019 Christmas Ornament
The 2019 Christmas OrnamentThe 2019 Mitchell County Historical Society Christmas Ornament honors this historic building, built of cast stone and designed in the Classical Revival style. which is home to the MCHS offices on the first floor. The building was designed by H.L. Lewman and was constructed by the Falls City Construction Company. The Yancey County Courthouse, built in 1905, is almost a clone of the building. It is glass and comes in a box to protect it during shipment and storage.
VISIT THE MCHS ONLINE STORE FOR DETAILS >>
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 2019 SECOND QUARTER NEWSLETTER (PDF file – opens with the free Adobe Reader software).
Scholarship Recipient Announced
Scholarship Recipient AnnouncedMCHS is pleased to announce that Macie Stafford, a 2019 graduate of MItchell High School, is the third recipient of the Inez McRae Scholarship. You can learn more about Macie and about the scholarship here.
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
Kilmichael Tower and Little Switzerland
Judge Heriot Clarkson of Charlotte and his family were the developers of the resort community of Little Switzerland in 1910. The community between Grassy Mountain and Chestnut Ridge had been settled by several generations of hardy pioneers by the time Clarkson arrived...
People
Significant Individuals
Jonathan Tipton of Kings Mountain Fame and His Descendants
Major Jonathan Tipton was one of the Overmountain Men who marched from Tennessee to Kings Mountain and fought in the 10/7/1780 battle that was “the turning point of the America Revolution” (Thomas Jefferson). Besides traveling along the Overmountain Victory Trail...
History
Happenings of note
With Fire and Sword
It was September of 1780, and British Major Patrick Ferguson had had enough. The Revolutionary War was in its fifth year and the British turned their attention to the southern colonies. British leaders believed that many citizens in this south remained loyal to King...
Communities
Unique locales in Mitchell County
Kilmichael Tower and Little Switzerland
Judge Heriot Clarkson of Charlotte and his family were the developers of the resort community of Little Switzerland in 1910. The community between Grassy Mountain and Chestnut Ridge had been settled by several generations of hardy pioneers by the time Clarkson arrived...
Icons
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...
Economics
Making a living in Mitchell County
Working In The Mines ~ Mitchell County to Vance County
This article features recollections of Gary Forbes of Mocksville, NC, the son of Paul and Elsie Burleson Forbes. He was born in 1948 in Spruce Pine at Williams Clinic. My earliest memories are of living in the Hamme Tungsten Queen Mine Camp in Vance County, NC,...
Upcoming 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 29, 2019 | September 30, 2019 | October 1, 2019 | October 2, 2019 | October 3, 2019 | October 4, 2019 | October 5, 2019 |
| October 6, 2019 | October 7, 2019 | October 8, 2019 | October 9, 2019 | October 10, 2019 | October 11, 2019 | October 12, 2019 |
| October 13, 2019 | October 14, 2019 | October 15, 2019 | October 16, 2019 | October 17, 2019 | October 18, 2019 | October 19, 2019 |
| October 20, 2019 | October 21, 2019 | October 22, 2019 | October 23, 2019 | October 24, 2019 | October 25, 2019 | October 26, 2019 |
| October 27, 2019 | October 28, 2019 | October 29, 2019 | October 30, 2019 | October 31, 2019 | November 1, 2019 | November 2, 2019 |