Isaac Shelby : revolutionary patriot and border hero by Henderson, Archibald, 1877-1963

Song and video by Larry Simpson about how Cleveland County and Shelby came to be and why Shelby's location. The importance of Cleveland Springs (formally Wilson Springs)

The story of the founding of Cleveland County and Shelby NC

Song and video by Larry Simpson about Catherine Babington who was the only woman mason ever! She lived in Cleveland County and is buried in Sunset cemetery.

Born in 1811 he was a surveyor, lawyer, preacher, doctor and a philosopher. He was of great stature among men in the county. He wrote "A History of the Broad River Baptist Association" He was clerk of the association for many years. He was on the six man committee to plan the city of Shelby.

First sheriff in Cleveland County. married Judith Hamrick. Father of Burwell Banton

1872 marked the arrival of the first railroad and this was the first engine. They were wood burners that started Shelby's growth. Farmers were hired to haul wood to platforms along the tracks where crewmen would transfer the wood to the engines tender.

Song and video by Larry Simpson about Catherine Babington who was the only woman mason ever! She lived in Cleveland County and is buried in Sunset cemetery.

The family of the pioneer Baptist preacher Rev. Thomas Dixon. Left to right Tom Dixon. author and playwright. Rev. A. C. Dixon. known for his ministry: Frank Dixon. minister and lecturer: Mrs. Addie Dixon Thacker, author: Dr. Delia Dixon Carroll, one of the State's first woman physicians.

Born in 1811 he was a surveyor, lawyer, preacher, doctor and a philosopher. He was of great stature among men in the county. He wrote "A History of the Broad River Baptist Association" He was clerk of the association for many years. He was on the six man committee to plan the city of Shelby.

A photograph made in the 1890s of couple on a buggy ride in front of the1841 courthouse. The old Central Methodist is on the far right.

Burwell Blanton is pictured in this 1870s picture of a gristmill located on Brushy Creek west of Shelby. He was a successful farmer, miller and businessman. He is best known as a founding member of J. Jenkins and Company, Cleveland County's first bank that was formed in 1874. It would evolve into First National Bank.

Postcard showing the second courthouse

The Shelby Military would later be the first Shelby Grade School. Later Shelby High School was build there. There is a memorial monument there. A tennis court later occupied the spot.

An adverting booklet describing Shelby in 1889 with many engravings of landmarks. Also descriptions of businesses, agriculture, advertisements ,schools, minerals, climate, mineral springs and more to attract visitors and investors.

1890parade at the intersection of Washing and Warren streets. The building on the right is the brick courthouse and the First National bank can be seen in the left background. Sheriff on horseback.

Shelby's main business in the 1890s A bar was in the corner (became First National Bank) and in the next building too.(Cohen's later)

Eskridge Livery was located at Marion and Morgan Streets by the railroad tracks. The second floor served as a hotel and boarding house for train passengers.

This 1910 Postcard shows the Central Hotel (later Charles Hotel) and First National Bank on the corner of Lafayette and Warren Streets. The bank occupied an office inside the lobby at the time.

The second courthouse in Cleveland County built in 1874 There was one before this in Shelby but the details are unclear.

Baptist pastor, Bible expositor, and evangelist With R.A. Torrey, he edited an influential series of essays, published as The Fundamentals (1910–15), which gave Christian fundamentalism its name. Brother of Thomas Dixon Jr.

Charles C. Blanton Industrialist and Banker

Photo of the Cleveland Hotel (formally College Hotel) on the corner of Washington and Graham streets. It was demolished and replaced by City Hall. This building had been the first female academy and the first hospital in Shelby

The Wilson home is shown on the far left. The wing was added in 1888. Before the wing was added it was a female academy during the school season and a resort in the summer months. Likely one of the first photographs of this hotel.

1880s photo of likely tourists at Cleveland Springs. The old Wilson house can be barely seen in the upper left corner. The L shaped wing was added in the late 1880s. This was the "Gay Nineties"

Clyde R. Hoey was a Shelby attorney who served in the House of Representees, Senate and Governor. He purchased the Shelby Review (Cleveland Star) and was editor and publisher.

Postcard showing College Hotel (later Cleveland Hotel). It was first a female academy then Shelby's first hospital then a hotel. Site is now where city hall is. Corner of Washing and Graham Streets.

One of several tobacco companies in Shelby. Later moved from Shelby

Physician, civic leader and deacon. He married ester Suttle. He build the McBrayer house at 507 North Morgan Street in1893. Father-inlaw to Otis Mull.

The family of the pioneer Baptist preacher Rev. Thomas Dixon. Left to right Tom Dixon. author and playwright. Rev. A. C. Dixon. known for his ministry: Frank Dixon. minister and lecturer: Mrs. Addie Dixon Thacker, author: Dr. Delia Dixon Carroll, one of the State's first woman physicians.

1890s "gay Ninety's" is the way they dressed and took rides. In a day when caps and bonnets and bows were the style. Likely going the Cleveland Springs Hotel for the ball.

Hotel Charles after being refurbished from the fire in 1928. The name was changed from Central Hotel to The Charles Hotel, named for Charles Blanton.

Hotel Charles after being refurbished from the fire in 1928. The name was changed from Central Hotel to The Charles Hotel, named for Charles Blanton. This historic Hotel Charles is located on Warren Street in uptown Shelby, NC.

Early photograph of Lafayette street. The Baptist church and parsonage is on the left.

Early photograph showing North Morgan street.

Sanborn Maps for Shelby North Carolina from 1885 to 1921

Shelby Cigar Company =, makers of Colonel Shelby Cigars.

Young Paul Wellmon stands next to his Shelby Ice and Fuel wagon with a block of ice in his hand. The small wheels in the front of the wagon makes it easy to make sharp turnes.

Suttles's Potato House was located on Lee Street. It stored produce through the winter. Note the chimneys and vent windows to control the temperature.

Shelby's main business in the 1890s A bar was in the corner (became First National Bank) and in the next building too.(Cohen's later)

Mary Jane Austell and James Petty Austell are among the participants in the uptown Shelby parade. Note the horse drawn float.

The new Shelby Grade School building which was constructed at a cost of $30,000 in 1905 and was opened around January 1. The name change to Shelby High School came about in 1927-1928 when only grades 8 to 10 remained.

After the second Cleveland Springs burned down many still came for the mineral springs and recreation at the park like surroundings. It was a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors alike..

A 1907 postcard of the 1907 courthouse showing the springhouse.

Postcard showing courthouse and confederate monument.

Shelby's Baptist female college, chartered in 1883, struggled with debt from the start and closed by 1889-1890. The building later became a boarding house and hotel.

This is a history of the Charles Hotel (formally Centra Hotel) from the 1887 to 1930

Catherine Babington was the only female in history. This is her biography. Written by J.P. Babington her son and Mason as well. "She was bright in the First Three Degrees of Masonry, up to the time of her death."

Central Hotel (later Charles Hotel) notice showing rates and amenities and rules

Over 100 historical tidbits compiled by Larry Simpson from Mamie Jones' 'In Cleveland County's Early Days' column in the Shelby Daily Star (1947-1955). Each piece captures a specific moment, person, or event from Cleveland County's early history, based on interviews with eyewitnesses who lived through that era

Court View Hotel (previously the Commercial Hotel) across from the courthouse on the corner of Marion and Lafyette streets.

The history of the First National Bank of Shelby North Carolina from 1874 - 1930

1969 History of the First Baptist Church of Shelby NC, Mrs. C. Rush Hamrick, Jr., Editor R. Hubbard Hamrick, Historian

Photo of the interior of the Princess Theatre

The Royster Building is a historic commercial building located at 101-106 E. Warren St., Shelby, NC 28150. It was built in 1910 and designed by the prominent architect James M. McMichael.

Historical article about The Cleveland Star/Shelby Daily Star newspaper, covering its founding, ownership, operations, and influence in Shelby, North Carolina from 1870 to 1930, compiled from multiple historical sources.

Shelby streets named after revolutionary war heros.

1890s View of South Washington Street when unpaved.

A detailed history of Cleveland Springs hotel and resort.