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SAVE THE DATE: October 17, 2020
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, which means your donations are tex-deductible under the limitations of tax law. Your contributions help us continue our work.
Please consider making an online donation by clicking the button below.
Penland Cemetery Project
MCHS is seeking help with an important project we have undertaken. The historic Penland Cemetery in Bakersville has suffered from years of neglect, with vandals overturning tombstones and the plot becoming grown-over with trees and underbrush. We have begun efforts to repair the road to the cemetery and restore it so visitors and researchers have easy access. Learn more about the Penland Cemetery project and how you can help..
The 2019 Christmas Ornament
The 2019 Mitchell County Historical Society Christmas Ornament honors the Historic Mitchell County Courthouse, built in 1907. 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. The ornament is glass and comes in a box to protect it during shipment and storage.
MCHS Membership & Newsletter
Big changes are coming soon for members of the Mitchell County Historical Society in 2020
Discounts on merchandise purchased from the MCHS store are but one of the many goodies for members of MCHS. In fact, we have a preview of one of the new features available right now: our redesigned newsletter, the Quarterly Review. Download a copy (PDF file – opens with the free Adobe Reader software) and see what members will be receiving beginning in the new year. Plus, you will get advance notice (and input) on our 2020 presentation series, opportunities to volunteer to help preserve our history, and access to online resources to research topics and genealogy in our office located in the Historic Mitchell County Courthouse.
Not a member? Join today!
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
Lydia Holman – Serving Mitchell County for 58 Years
Lydia Holman came to Mitchell County in 1900 to serve as a private duty nurse for a woman suffering from Typhoid. The woman got well and moved away. Holman stayed for the next 58 years serving the people of Mitchell County. Holman had graduated from the Philadelphia...
History
Happenings of note
“My Dear Companion” – Letters Home From the Civil War
The Civil War was hard, certainly, on the soldiers called away from home, whether or not they believed in the cause for which they fought. It was also extremely trying for their loved ones left at home. One couple separated by the Civil War was Garrett DeWeese Gouge...
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
Helen McBee: Teacher, Philanthropist, and Woman of Some Mark
Helen McBee was born 1/10/1909 in Los Angeles, CA to John Calhoun and Margaret Chambers Thomas McBee. Her father served in Company B of the 16th Infantry and had spent most of the Philippines-American War in the islands where Helen’s brothers Paul Thomas (1905) and...
Economics
Making a living in Mitchell County
Got Milk? The Carnation Dairy Plant in Spruce Pine
When the Carnation Dairy receiving station opened in Spruce Pine on September 4, 1941, the Asheville Citizen reported that a large crowd was in attendance to hear speeches by state and corporate officials. An open house was held prior to the speechmaking, and “iced...
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.
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| March 29, 2020 | March 30, 2020 | March 31, 2020 | April 1, 2020 | April 2, 2020 | April 3, 2020 | April 4, 2020 |
| April 5, 2020 | April 6, 2020 | April 7, 2020 | April 8, 2020 | April 9, 2020 | April 10, 2020 | April 11, 2020 |
| April 12, 2020 | April 13, 2020 | April 14, 2020 | April 15, 2020 | April 16, 2020 | April 17, 2020 | April 18, 2020 |
| April 19, 2020 | April 20, 2020 | April 21, 2020 | April 22, 2020 | April 23, 2020 | April 24, 2020 | April 25, 2020 |
| April 26, 2020 | April 27, 2020 | April 28, 2020 | April 29, 2020 | April 30, 2020 | May 1, 2020 | May 2, 2020 |