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..
Overmountain Men Radio Show & Podcast Wrapping Up
The radio broadcast from WTOE and WKYK of Footsteps for Freedom concluded October 11th with our 30th Episode. Thsnk you for joining us for the series!
BUT WE’RE NOT THROUGH! We have posted a roundtable discussion featuring Jonathan Bennett, David Biddix, and Rhonda Gunter, taking a look at the work behind the scenes to produce the episodes. We discuss the events and people involved with the battle and share opinions on our research and more. The final episode is podcast-only and is now online at our Overmountain Men page.
Speaking of that page, we have updated it with additional resources from the internet along with all 31 podcasts still available. You can listen online or download using the various podcatching software (Apple Music, Google Music, etc.). Check it out and catch up on anything you missed, or listen to the final program.
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
North Carolina Rhododendron Festival: Roots and Twigs
The beautiful Rhododendron flower is celebrated worldwide. These celebrations include festivals in Port Logan, England; Edinburgh, Scotland; Muroji, Japan; Taranaki, a bit south of New Plymouth, New Zealand: Florence, OR; Me, CA; Plymouth, MA; and tad closer to home,...
People
Significant Individuals
Biss Peterson ~ World War II Veteran and Prisoner of War
Biss Peterson was a Prisoner of War in Stalag II B, a work camp west of Hammerstein, a village in Pomerania; it is now the town of CzSarne in Poland. Germany had used the camp for Russian POWs during the First World War and as a concentration camp for German...
History
Happenings of note
The Battle of Kings Mountain ~ The Turn of the Tide of Success
The Battle of King’s Mountain was a crucial American victory in the War for Independence. The British had taken the fighting to the South, confident the large number of Loyalists there would bring a Patriot defeat, and the fall of Charleston in May 1780 had indeed...
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
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...
Economics
Making a living in Mitchell County
1955 – The Museum of North Carolina Minerals is Opened With Great Fanfare at Gillespie Gap
On June 17, 1955, the Museum of NC Minerals was officially opened at Gillespie Gap with North Carolina Governor Luther Hodges presenting the museum to United States National Park Service Director Conrad L. Wirth. The museum was a joint project between the state 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.
| SunSunday | MonMonday | TueTuesday | WedWednesday | ThuThursday | FriFriday | SatSaturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 27, 2019 | October 28, 2019 | October 29, 2019 | October 30, 2019 | October 31, 2019 | November 1, 2019 | November 2, 2019 |
| November 3, 2019 | November 4, 2019 | November 5, 2019 | November 6, 2019 | November 7, 2019 | November 8, 2019 | November 9, 2019 |
| November 10, 2019 | November 11, 2019
4:00 pm: Veterans Day Celebration |
November 12, 2019 | November 13, 2019 | November 14, 2019
6:30 pm: MCHS Board Meeting |
November 15, 2019 | November 16, 2019 |
| November 17, 2019 | November 18, 2019 | November 19, 2019 | November 20, 2019 | November 21, 2019 | November 22, 2019 | November 23, 2019 |
| November 24, 2019 | November 25, 2019 | November 26, 2019 | November 27, 2019 | November 28, 2019 | November 29, 2019 | November 30, 2019 |
4:00 pm: Veterans Day Celebration