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:
NOW: FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS!
Just in time for the holidays, all orders from the MCHS Online Store feature FREE SHIPPING. There is no minimum purchase. Select your items and check out. It’s that simple!
VISIT THE STORE2018 Christmas Ornament
The 2018 Mitchell County Historical Society Christmas Ornament celebrates the heyday of the Cloudland Hotel. It is decorated with a drawing of the famous resort that appeared in a newspaper ad in the 1890s along with a sprig of the famous rhododendron that appears in the largest naturally-occurring rhododendron gardens in the world atop Roan Mountain. A brief version of its history is included on the back.
This keepsake is perfect for anyone who has an interest in Roan Mountain and the grandeur of resort hotels from the late 19th Century. It is glass and comes in a box to protect it during shipment and storage.
The ornament is $22 and can be ordered online by clicking the button below. You can also purchase ornaments at the MCHS office located in the Mitchell County Historic Courthouse in Bakersville during business hours (Wednesday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.).
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 CURRENT 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
Clarissa
This Mitchell County community was named after Clarissa Young, a beloved woman and early settler in the Cane Creek area. Clarissa is located in the Cane Creek section of Mitchell County, near...
read more
Kona
This “scientific” community in west central Mitchell County is located near the junction of the North Toe and South Toe Rivers. Although there are several variations of how the community was named, the word Kona is actually short for the chemical makeup of feldspar. K...
read morePeople
Significant Individuals
Brummetts Creek School
It’s back to school time! These days public schools have consolidated, with only 2 high schools, 2 middle schools, 2 elementary schools, and 1 primary school in Mitchell County. A century ago, however, each community had a small school with most grades attending...
read more
Professor James Clayton Bowman
One of Mitchell County’s earliest and most important educators was James Clayton Bowman. J.C., as he was known, was born in Mitchell County in 1862, married Anna Mary Young in 1885, and then went to Athens Georgia to further his education. He returned and purchased a...
read moreHistory
Happenings of note
The Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918
A lot of older folks recall their parents and grandparents telling stories about the deadly “grip” that many Mitchell County families suffered 100 years ago. “They said that some took sick and died in two or three days. It was pretty bad.” Little did they know that...
read more
Brummetts Creek School
It’s back to school time! These days public schools have consolidated, with only 2 high schools, 2 middle schools, 2 elementary schools, and 1 primary school in Mitchell County. A century ago, however, each community had a small school with most grades attending...
read moreCommunities
Unique locales in Mitchell County
Clarissa
This Mitchell County community was named after Clarissa Young, a beloved woman and early settler in the Cane Creek area. Clarissa is located in the Cane Creek section of Mitchell County, near...
read more
Kona
This “scientific” community in west central Mitchell County is located near the junction of the North Toe and South Toe Rivers. Although there are several variations of how the community was named, the word Kona is actually short for the chemical makeup of feldspar. K...
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 more
The Historic Mitchell County Courthouse
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...
read moreEconomics
Making a living in Mitchell County
Celebrating 106 years of the Bakersville Barber Shop Building
The earliest photograph of Bakersville that shows the property on which the Barber Shop building sits today was taken after the 1901 May Flood. It’s shown here beside the first Post Office and the J W Bailey Store which was sold in 1912 to George Young. At this time,...
read moreThe Roan may become Sun Valley of the South
Don’t go looking for your skis just yet; however, this idea has an interesting history going back at least to 1920. It is well known that General John Wilder had a smaller retreat constructed on the Roan in 1877 and then in 1885 built the iconic Cloudland Hotel, which...
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.
| MonMonday | TueTuesday | WedWednesday | ThuThursday | FriFriday | SatSaturday | SunSunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 26, 2018 | November 27, 2018 | November 28, 2018 | November 29, 2018 | November 30, 2018 | December 1, 2018 | December 2, 2018 |
| December 3, 2018 | December 4, 2018 | December 5, 2018 | December 6, 2018 | December 7, 2018 | December 8, 2018 | December 9, 2018 |
| December 10, 2018 | December 11, 2018 | December 12, 2018 | December 13, 2018 | December 14, 2018 | December 15, 2018 | December 16, 2018 |
| December 17, 2018 | December 18, 2018 | December 19, 2018 | December 20, 2018 | December 21, 2018 | December 22, 2018 | December 23, 2018 |
| December 24, 2018 | December 25, 2018 | December 26, 2018 | December 27, 2018 | December 28, 2018 | December 29, 2018 | December 30, 2018 |
| December 31, 2018 | January 1, 2019 | January 2, 2019 | January 3, 2019 | January 4, 2019 | January 5, 2019 | January 6, 2019 |