First Elizabeth School Names
1907 Camping after the Fire at the Cleveland Springs Hotel
Cleveland Springs Hotel in 1924
1916 Shelby Map Pt2
1916 Shelby Map Pt1
Court View Hotel
First Elizabeth School
1916 Shelby Map Pt4
1928 Bank collapse
Major R.F. Schenck
Contact Us
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We welcome contributions of photographs, documents, and stories related to Cleveland County history.
Welcome
Welcome to the Cleveland County History Project! Step back in time and discover the people, places, and stories that shaped our county. From the early settlers before 1841 through the Golden Age of the 1920s, our history comes alive here. Whether you're researching family roots, exploring local landmarks, or just curious about the past, you'll find something meaningful in these pages.
Did You Know?
The First Doctor in Shelby to Use an Automobile Was Considered Radical
Around the turn of the century, Dr. T. Evans McBrayer became the first doctor in Shelby to use an automobile for making house calls. At a time when most physicians still traveled by horse and buggy, this was seen as highly unusual and even risky. McBrayer was also the first doctor in Shelby to use a fever thermometer, another innovation that set him apart from older practitioners. His methods marked a shift from traditional 19th-century medicine to more modern medical practice in Cleveland County.
Source: Mamie Jones
Features
- Browse by category: Towns, Institutions, Businesses, Hotels, People, and more
- Search by tags and categories
- Historical eras: Pre-1841 through the Golden Age (1900-1930)
- Full-screen zoom viewer: Click any image to pan and zoom in detail
- High-resolution images available for most items
- Detailed descriptions and historical context
- Designed to be approachable, not intimidating like traditional archives
Announcements
- January 2026: Project launched with initial collection
- We're actively seeking contributions from community members
- Check back for new additions