1885 Shelby Map
Shelby Ice & Fuel
Cleveland Springs Hotel Dining
1921 SHelby Map Pt10
1890s Eskridge Livery
M.P. Coley Insurance parade float in 1919
Cleveland County Post Offices
 Hotel & First Nat Bank.jpg)
1910 Postcard of Central Hotel
1910 Cleveland County Courthouse and square
1916 Shelby Map Pt5
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?
“Freezing Ice in July!”
When artificial ice was first discussed, many people could not believe it was possible. Mamie Jones records an old Black man’s reaction when someone suggested showing him through an ice-manufacturing plant:
“What! Freezing ice in July! Why de good God himself can’t do that.”
Artificial ice was first manufactured in New Orleans about 1866, but no satisfactory method for commercial use was found until 1880–1885. Long before man-made ice was common, people managed without it for centuries by using spring-houses built beside flowing water or by lowering food into wells to keep it cool.
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