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:
World War I Rosters & Stories
The Mitchell County Historical Society is pleased to provide the following information following our 100th Anniversary of the end of World War I special Veterans Day program.
Roster of World War I Soldiers from Mitchell County
Stories About World War I in Mitchell County
- A Monumental July 4 at Gillespie Gap
- One Hundred Years Ago: Mitchell County and the Great War
- World War I Cannon Sat Beside the Spruce Pine Depot
- Veterans of the Great War
Share Your World War I Memories
The Mitchell County Historical Society is working to preserve information about World War Ialso known as the Great War). If you have stories or photos to share, please contact us and we will be in touch to get more information.
2018 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 $20 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
The Mountain Springhouse – An Absolute Necessity
Before the days when water was piped into homes, mountain folks were often able to take advantage of fresh water running down the mountainside or bubbling up from the earth. A section of running water might be diverted into a channel lined with rocks; it was cleared...
read more
The Story of the Spruce Pine Depots
With all the excitement of the exterior renovation of the Spruce Pine Depot, we thought we would take a look back at the history behind the two depots that have existed in Spruce Pine. The South & Western Railroad, the forerunner of the Clinchfield Railroad, arrived...
read morePeople
Significant Individuals
The Height of Fashion
Young ladies have always enjoyed dressing in their finest when they go out with friends. Hats may not be the height of fashion these days, but they were just that a century or so ago! Also stylish were the high-necked, long-sleeved white shirtwaists (blouses) three...
read more
Hernando DeSoto Visited Mitchell County in May of 1540
Hernando De Soto is believed to have been the first European to have traveled into the interior of what is now the United States. Seeking gold, his journey began in Florida in 1539 with over 600 men, 200 horses, many dogs, and several hundred pigs. In 1540 he came...
read moreHistory
Happenings of note
The Mountain Springhouse – An Absolute Necessity
Before the days when water was piped into homes, mountain folks were often able to take advantage of fresh water running down the mountainside or bubbling up from the earth. A section of running water might be diverted into a channel lined with rocks; it was cleared...
read more
The Story of the Spruce Pine Depots
With all the excitement of the exterior renovation of the Spruce Pine Depot, we thought we would take a look back at the history behind the two depots that have existed in Spruce Pine. The South & Western Railroad, the forerunner of the Clinchfield Railroad, arrived...
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...
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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
The Story of the Spruce Pine Depots
With all the excitement of the exterior renovation of the Spruce Pine Depot, we thought we would take a look back at the history behind the two depots that have existed in Spruce Pine. The South & Western Railroad, the forerunner of the Clinchfield Railroad, arrived...
read more
Penland Post Office and General Store
The building which houses the Penland Post Office and, for many years, a general mercantile, was constructed in 1902 by Isaac Bailey, a Confederate Colonel and later NC Senator from Mitchell County. Two years later, Bailey and his wife, Louisa Penland, donated land...
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 |
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| October 29, 2018 | October 30, 2018 | October 31, 2018 | November 1, 2018 | November 2, 2018 | November 3, 2018 | November 4, 2018 |
| November 5, 2018 | November 6, 2018 | November 7, 2018 | November 8, 2018 | November 9, 2018 | November 10, 2018 | November 11, 2018 |
| November 12, 2018 | November 13, 2018 | November 14, 2018 | November 15, 2018 | November 16, 2018 | November 17, 2018 | November 18, 2018 |
| November 19, 2018 | November 20, 2018 | November 21, 2018 | November 22, 2018 | November 23, 2018 | November 24, 2018 | November 25, 2018 |
| November 26, 2018 | November 27, 2018 | November 28, 2018 | November 29, 2018 | November 30, 2018 | December 1, 2018 | December 2, 2018 |