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.
The 2021 MCHS Christmas Ornament:
The Little Poplar Schoolhouse
The 2021 commemorative Christmas ornament is of an icon of Mitchell County education: the Little Poplar Schoolhouse. First located in the Poplar community, the one-room schoolhouse constructed in the 1880s was dismantled and rebuilt on the campus of Mitchell High School in 1981 through efforts of retired teachers, Mitchell County residents, and a Z. Smith Reynolds grant. The pot-bellied stove, benches for students, and other memorabilia exemplify early education in the county.
The Schoolhouse is featured prominently in the Mitchell County Historical Society’s logo.
You can purchase the ornament directly here or browse our online store for gift ideas and other goodies.
MCHS Membership & Newsletter
Please consider becoming a member of the Mitchell County Historical Society.
Discounts on merchandise purchased from the MCHS store are but one of the many goodies for members of MCHS. Here is a preview of the newsletter members receive, 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 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!
The Cherokee War of 1776
Jonathan Bennett gave this year’s Veterans Day presentation. He discusses The Cherokee War of 1776 and the far-reaching changes that occurred following it.
Gifts for All
The MCHS Online Store offers a variety of gift ideas for that special someone, or for yourself! Plus, all proceeds from sales go to support our mission of preserving the history and heritage of Mitchell County.
What’s New on the Site
Here are our latest posts about Mitchell County’s history. We welcome suggestions for topics. Please contact us to submit your ideas!
Places
Interesting stories
Cleaning Our Toes
According to the Cherokee, a river is referred to as the Long Man with his head in the mountains and his feet in the sea. The North Toe River’s head is at Sugar Gap in the...
Our Earliest Highway: Bright’s Trace and the Yellow Mountain Road
Most of us journey up US Highway 19E to Avery County not realizing we’re traveling over millions of hoofprints, footprints, wagon tracks, and finally automobile tracks that have...
A Very Special Six Months in Buladean
For many years, churches in our community served dual roles as centers of religious and social activity on Sundays, and also during the week,as schools for students of all ages....
People
Significant Individuals
The Sea Claimed Petty Officer Billy Joe McKinney, But His Heart Is Still in the Mountains
Billy Joe McKinney was born Sept. 27, 1931 in Mitchell County, the son of James Nathan McKinney (1905-1983) and Vergie Mae Masters McKinney (1906-2993). His paternal...
Patrolman Charles L. Radcliffe
Charles Lewis Radcliffe was born 10/30/1926 in Roanoke Rapids, Halifax County, NC. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Radcliffe; his father worked as an electrician at...
Miss Dorothy and her Books
Dorothy Lee Anderson was born in Bakersville on November 15, 1929. She was the youngest daughter of Lee and Dora Masters Greene. She grew up in Bakersville and was a graduate of...
History
Happenings of note
The Sea Claimed Petty Officer Billy Joe McKinney, But His Heart Is Still in the Mountains
Billy Joe McKinney was born Sept. 27, 1931 in Mitchell County, the son of James Nathan McKinney (1905-1983) and Vergie Mae Masters McKinney (1906-2993). His paternal...
The Road to Peppers Creek
Ruth Lawrence, state supervisor of Negro Elementary Schools, reported, after a visit to Mitchell County in 1950, that she observed 7 boys and girls “learning their lessons” in a...
“Crest of the Blue Ridge Highway” ~ The Parkway before the Parkway
In the early 1900’s, Americans were gaining great mobility with the invention of the automobile. In 1906, North Carolina’s State Geological and Economic Director, Joseph Hyde...
Communities
Unique locales in Mitchell County
November Rain: Remembering the Flood of 1977
On November 6, 1977, the mountains of North Carolina saw one of the worst natural disasters to hit the area in nearly sixty-one years. On Friday, the 4th, heavy rain began to...
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...
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...
Icons
These define Mitchell County
The Road to Peppers Creek
Ruth Lawrence, state supervisor of Negro Elementary Schools, reported, after a visit to Mitchell County in 1950, that she observed 7 boys and girls “learning their lessons” in a...
Miss Dorothy and her Books
Dorothy Lee Anderson was born in Bakersville on November 15, 1929. She was the youngest daughter of Lee and Dora Masters Greene. She grew up in Bakersville and was a graduate of...
Roy Williams: Western North Carolina Legend
The legendary basketball coach announced his retirement on April 1, after 48 years of coaching. Roy Williams was born on August 1, 1950. His family lived in Spruce Pine at the...
Economics
Making a living in Mitchell County
“Crest of the Blue Ridge Highway” ~ The Parkway before the Parkway
In the early 1900’s, Americans were gaining great mobility with the invention of the automobile. In 1906, North Carolina’s State Geological and Economic Director, Joseph Hyde...
Cleaning Our Toes
According to the Cherokee, a river is referred to as the Long Man with his head in the mountains and his feet in the sea. The North Toe River’s head is at Sugar Gap in the...
Tragedy at Berry Gap
The coming of the Clinchfield Railroad to the region in the early 1900s was a boon for the area and opened up the isolated mountain region to the outside world. The building of...
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.
Events in January 2022
| SunSunday | MonMonday | TueTuesday | WedWednesday | ThuThursday | FriFriday | SatSaturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 26, 2021 | December 27, 2021 | December 28, 2021 | December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2021 | December 31, 2021 | January 1, 2022 |
| January 2, 2022 | January 3, 2022 | January 4, 2022 | January 5, 2022 | January 6, 2022 | January 7, 2022 | January 8, 2022 |
| January 9, 2022 | January 10, 2022 | January 11, 2022 | January 12, 2022 | January 13, 2022 | January 14, 2022 | January 15, 2022 |
| January 16, 2022 | January 17, 2022 | January 18, 2022 | January 19, 2022 | January 20, 2022 | January 21, 2022 | January 22, 2022 |
| January 23, 2022 | January 24, 2022 | January 25, 2022 | January 26, 2022 | January 27, 2022 | January 28, 2022 | January 29, 2022 |
| January 30, 2022 | January 31, 2022 | February 1, 2022 | February 2, 2022 | February 3, 2022 | February 4, 2022 | February 5, 2022 |