Gristmill on Broad River
Clyde Roark Hoey (1877-1954)
Texaco Filling Station in 1914
1921 SHelby Map Pt1
1907 Courthouse and Fountain
Patterson Grocery
1905 Shelby High School
Shelby National Bank
Shelby Printing Company Interior
1916 Shelby Map Pt1
Contact Us
Questions? Comments? Want to contribute? Contact us at:
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?
A Calf Was Once Tied to the Courthouse Bell Cord
In the years after the Civil War, schoolboys in Shelby were known for their nighttime pranks. One remembered incident involved tying a calf to the courthouse bell cord. When the bell was rung, the startled animal was pulled into action, turning a routine signal into chaos and amusement. The story was recalled as one of many youthful pranks that took place around the courthouse square during that period.
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