NOTICE: The MCHS Office has re-opened.
Visitors are welcome to stop by our office, but we would appreciate a phone call (828-688-4371) before your visit.
Social distancing and other suggested measures by the State of North Carolina are in effect.
Office hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.
The Corona Times
MCHS Documents the
Corona Virus Pandemic
Inez McRae
Memorial Scholarship
Emma Carpenter is the
2020 recipient.
Vendor Applications
Now Being Taken
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 2020 Christmas Ornament
The 2020 Mitchell County Historical Society Christmas Ornament honors the Good Will Free Library, constructed by Dr. Charles H. Wing who retired to Mitchell County after a distinguished academic career. He made it his mission to bring education to residents, providing vocational training and opening a library filled with many of his own books that he loaned throughout the county. It was during its time the largest public library in North Carolina.
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
Charlie B. and Margaret Willis Norman and Their Large Family
Recently discovered in the news clippings collection at the office of Mitchell County Historical Society was this photo from the Tri-County News of 2/28/1974. The family was likely photographed 1905-1910 based on the number and ages of the children. The article’s...
History
Happenings of note
The First Electric Lights for Bakersville and Toecane
Bill Masters is credited with bringing the first electric lights to Toecane and Bakersville from energy generated by his water wheel in a 3-story mill in Toecane. According to living relatives, Bill was a voracious reader with a table in his home piled with stacks of...
Communities
Unique locales in Mitchell County
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 the Toe River, the folks in what’s now Mitchell County also had to deal with high water....
Icons
These define Mitchell County
Mrs. Ruby Sisk Gouge
Ruby Juanita Sisk was born December 18, 1898 in Franklin, North Carolina to Ray Dean and Emma Lou Guy Sisk. Her father was a successful attorney, state senator, and highly respected community citizen.She was an honor graduate from Woman’s College, UNC, which is now...
Economics
Making a living in Mitchell County
Wellborns and McCalls Anchored Spruce Pine’s Lower Street for Almost a Century
Two of the oldest stores in Spruce Pine shared an intertwined history during their existence. Robert Shell (R.S.) along with his wife Annie McCall opened his first store in 1914, moving to several locations before settling downtown in the Peterson Building. In 1928,...
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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| July 26, 2020 | July 27, 2020 | July 28, 2020 | July 29, 2020 | July 30, 2020 | July 31, 2020 | August 1, 2020 |
| August 2, 2020 | August 3, 2020 | August 4, 2020 | August 5, 2020 | August 6, 2020 | August 7, 2020 | August 8, 2020 |
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| August 23, 2020 | August 24, 2020 | August 25, 2020 | August 26, 2020 | August 27, 2020 | August 28, 2020 | August 29, 2020 |
| August 30, 2020 | August 31, 2020 | September 1, 2020 | September 2, 2020 | September 3, 2020 | September 4, 2020 | September 5, 2020 |