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.

1928 Bank collapse famous photo. Many injuries and several deaths.

The collapse of The First National Bank of Shelby. Many injured and several died.

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.

The factory was built by Major H.F. Schenck and a group of stockholders in 1873. It was run by Water power.

Dr. Ben F. Dixon

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.

The factory was built by Major H.F. Schenck and a group of stockholders in 1873. It was run by Water power.

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)

Charles C. Blanton Industrialist and Banker

The Shelby Printing Company was established by C.J. Mabry in 1923 and located on West Marion Street.

Standing in front of his store on Lafyette St across from the courthouse.

A V Wray, Stough Wray, A V Wray Sr., Charles Wray, Harvey Wray, George Wray and Robert Wray.

Charles C. Blanton Industrialist and Banker

Wray-Hudson Company. A.V. Wray and W.H. Hudson were partners in the 1920s. Hudson left Wray before the depression and opened his own store..

Dr. Ben F. Dixon

Patterson Grocery Company in Kings Mountain. Note the bananas and the advertisement for Southern Vaudeville Showes

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

Postcard of a gristmill on Broad River near Piedmont High School

Lawndale Dummy locomotive sitting on the ground.

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.

A detailed history of Lawndale gathered from many sources.

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

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

The story of Shelby's first hospital, established in 1910 by Dr. T.G. Hamrick in a converted hotel building. Despite modern facilities and professional staff, the private hospital operated only until 1913-1914, unable to sustain itself financially after the loss of Cleveland Springs' affluent health tourists.

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)

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

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

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 Cleveland Springs hotel and grounds. You can see the old Wilson home across from the Hotel. Many improvements had been made to the hotel and grounds . The new wing was added in 1888. The small structure behind the hotel seen on the upper right was the kitchen. Lightening struck the transformer above it, in 1907, and the resulting fire destroyed the entire hotel.

1923 Postcard showing the new Cleveland Springs Hotel that opened in 1921.

A 1920s flier promotes the hotel with the claim of being fireproof which it sadly was not. It burned in 1929.

Cleveland Springs Hotel in 1924

Newly opened Cleveland Springs Hotel in 1921. This was the third and last hotel on the property. The previous hotel was destroyed by fire in 1907. That same fate was destined to this hotel.

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.

Dr. Ben F. Dixon

The story of Shelby's first hospital, established in 1910 by Dr. T.G. Hamrick in a converted hotel building. Despite modern facilities and professional staff, the private hospital operated only until 1913-1914, unable to sustain itself financially after the loss of Cleveland Springs' affluent health tourists.

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

Charles C. Blanton Industrialist and Banker

National Bank building on corner of Lafayette and Warren Streets. Messick's Soda Shop later located there. One of three buildings destroyed in 1979 by fire

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

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

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 company was destroyed in the collapse of the building in the 1928 Shelby Disaster.

Advertisement for a flying circus at the Cleveland Springs Airport which was located behind the present day Golf course clubhouse. $2.50 for passenger flights.

1886 Internal Revenue fee for the business of dealership in leaf tobacco paid by Kerr brothers and Poston 9( James Poston).