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

Elizabeth Baptist Church was on fire around 6 pm on Monday, December 13, 1954. (I Watched the smoke over the trees from my back yard less than a mile away.-Larry Simpson)

Sanborn Maps for Shelby North Carolina from 1885 to 1921

Sanborn Maps for Shelby North Carolina from 1885 to 1921

Pictures and history of the Dummy Railroad that ran from Cleveland Mils to Shelby North Carolina.

A makeship stage and curtain for an end-of-school program at this turn of the century one-room, one-teacher photo of the first Elizabeth school. The Elizabeth Church now occupies that site.

A makeship stage and curtain for an end-of-school program at this turn of the century one-room, one-teacher photo of the first Elizabeth school. The Elizabeth Church now occupies that site.

Pictures and history of the Dummy Railroad that ran from Cleveland Mils to Shelby North Carolina.

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

Sanborn Maps for Shelby North Carolina from 1885 to 1921

Sanborn Maps for Shelby North Carolina from 1885 to 1921

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

Elizabeth Baptist Church interior. The one that burned down.

Elizabeth Baptist Church was on fire around 6 pm on Monday, December 13, 1954. (I Watched the smoke over the trees from my back yard less than a mile away.-Larry Simpson)

The second of four church buildings located where the cemetery is now.

A makeship stage and curtain for an end-of-school program at this turn of the century one-room, one-teacher photo of the first Elizabeth school. The Elizabeth Church now occupies that site.

Pictures and history of the Dummy Railroad that ran from Cleveland Mils to Shelby North Carolina.