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.

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.

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

Engine Number 4 of the Lawndale Railway along side of Cleveland Mill

Sanborn Maps for Shelby North Carolina from 1885 to 1921

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.

Engine Number 4 of the Lawndale Railway along side of Cleveland Mill

Sanborn Maps for Shelby North Carolina from 1885 to 1921

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.

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

Engine Number 4 of the Lawndale Railway along side of Cleveland Mill

Lawndale Dummy locomotive sitting on the ground.

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

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.

Engine Number 4 of the Lawndale Railway along side of Cleveland Mill

Lawndale Dummy locomotive sitting on the ground.

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.

1920s Arey Oil Company selling Texaco products. This was located is at the railroad on South Morgan Street.

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