Engine Number 4 of the Lawndale Railway
Shelby National Bank Building
1916 Shelby Map Pt5
Shelby Printing Company Interior
1872 Seaboard first engine to arrive in Shelby
1921 SHelby Map Pt14
1923 Postcard showing the new Cleveland Springs Hotel
Old Kings Mountain Graded School
1916 Shelby Map Pt11
Huggins-Curtis Building
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?
The Man with 22 Children Who Fought at Kings Mountain
Colonel Frederick Hambright was one of the best-known Revolutionary War soldiers associated with what later became Cleveland County. He was born in Germany and moved from Virginia to the Tryon County area in 1760 with his wife, Sarah Hardin, and several of her brothers. Sarah bore him twelve children, and after her death he married Mary Dover, who bore him ten more — a total of twenty-two children. Hambright served as a captain in the Tryon County militia, signed the Tryon Resolves in 1775, and fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain. He was badly wounded near the end of the battle but refused to leave the field and continued directing his men. He later died in 1817 at his home on Kings Creek.
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