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:
William Ritter Headlines August Presentation
We hope you will make plans to join us Monday, August 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the Historic Courthouse in Bakersville and join us for Mitchell County’s own William Ritter as he presents Saving Songs and Seeds. It will be an evening of traditional mountain music and talk about the old mountain tradition of “seed-savin,” where families would save seeds from their gardens and pass down the old mountain crop strains from generation to generation. Plus, Will welcomes anyone who has seeds to share to bring them to the presentation.
William is a native of Bakersville and an alum of Western Carolina University. He graduated with a degree in Technical Theatre, but spent most of his time in school studying the musical folk traditions of Western North Carolina. Recently, William received his Master of Arts in Appalachian Culture and Music from Appalachian State University. William plays banjo, fiddle, guitar, and other “string-ed things.” He is particularly interested in old apple trees and mountain humor–ever eager to swap lies, half-truths, jokes, and seeds.
You can learn more about William and his wife Sarah Ogletree at their website.
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
Sunday Go-To-Meeting Best
This notable photograph of the congregation of Liberty Hill Baptist Church was taken on April 12, 1908. The church was officially chartered in 1866, but had been meeting since the 1840’s. A log building with dirt floors was erected in the Estatoe Community near the...
read more
“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 morePeople
Significant Individuals
Isaac Hollifield – The Iconic Mountaineer
This classic photograph portrays the hardy mountain settlers who created a community out of the wilderness that was the Blue Ridge Mountains. Isaac Hollifield was a descendent of one of five Hollifield brothers who moved into the area that is now McDowell and Mitchell...
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Harris High Football Stars
Sometime in the early 1970s, standout football players from Harris High School in Spruce Pine gathered to share tales of past glory on the field and be honored for their prowess on the field. Those honored included the Blue Devils shown here, who have been identified...
read moreHistory
Happenings of note
Sunday Go-To-Meeting Best
This notable photograph of the congregation of Liberty Hill Baptist Church was taken on April 12, 1908. The church was officially chartered in 1866, but had been meeting since the 1840’s. A log building with dirt floors was erected in the Estatoe Community near the...
read more
Isaac Hollifield – The Iconic Mountaineer
This classic photograph portrays the hardy mountain settlers who created a community out of the wilderness that was the Blue Ridge Mountains. Isaac Hollifield was a descendent of one of five Hollifield brothers who moved into the area that is now McDowell and Mitchell...
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
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...
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Peterson Store in Huntdale
The tiny town of Huntdale, NC, became a thriving community after the Clinchfield Railroad made its way through the Nolichucky Gorge in the early 1900s. In 1890, the Clinchfield tracks reached Erwin, TN, which was less than 20 miles away from Huntdale. Many Western...
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2018 | October 2, 2018 | October 3, 2018 | October 4, 2018 | October 5, 2018 | October 6, 2018 | October 7, 2018 |
| October 8, 2018 | October 9, 2018 | October 10, 2018 | October 11, 2018 | October 12, 2018 | October 13, 2018
10:00 am: Apple Butter Festival |
October 14, 2018 |
| October 15, 2018 | October 16, 2018 | October 17, 2018 | October 18, 2018 | October 19, 2018 | October 20, 2018 | October 21, 2018 |
| October 22, 2018 | October 23, 2018 | October 24, 2018 | October 25, 2018 | October 26, 2018 | October 27, 2018 | October 28, 2018 |
| October 29, 2018 | October 30, 2018 | October 31, 2018 | November 1, 2018 | November 2, 2018 | November 3, 2018 | November 4, 2018 |
10:00 am: Apple Butter Festival