References to “Fallston” began appearing in newspapers about 1886. The town was named for John Zemri Falls and was first incorporated in 1893. It was reincorporated in 1971 following restructuring legislation passed by the NC General Assembly.
Fallston’s Beginnings
Early in Cleveland County’s history, there was a stagecoach route from Lincolnton to Rutherfordton. The route ran through the area that would become upper Cleveland County. The easternmost stop was at what was then called “Kitchen Corner” at the intersection of the Lincolnton-Rutherfordton road and the Burke County-South Carolina road. This was the beginning of the town that would be called Fallston.
John Zemri Falls was the town’s namesake. He built the first corn mill, first saw mill, and first store.
Thomas Dixon Falls was the son of John Zemri and Elizabeth Carpenter Bingham Falls. Known as T. D. Falls, he served the Confederate Army at the Battle of Gettysburg where he earned the distinction of advancing the farthest in that battle. He was Fallston’s first mayor.
In 1890, brothers Thomas and Clarence Stamey began operating a store in Fallston. Over the years the store became so successful it attracted customers from all over the region. Their slogan became, “Everything needed from the cradle to the grave.” Indeed–in the 1940s, Stamey’s went from just selling caskets to operating a complete funeral home. The funeral home is now known as the Stamey-Tysinger Funeral Home.
Fallston Schools
Fallston historian, Frankie Dickson, stated in Our Heritage that a school was operating in the area prior to the Civil War. Another she knew as “District 45” began in about the same time frame. In 1887 a brick boarding school began operating with the Rev. L. A. Falls as its principal. It came under the management of the Methodist Protestant Church about 1893. S. C. Thompson served as its principal until about 1900.
In 1907 Fallston Institute, as it was also known, became Fallston High School.
Bayard T. Falls, Superintendent of Cleveland County Schools, summarized the status of Fallston area schools in his 1905-1906 annual report to the school board:
Fallston Churches
Kays Gary grew up in Fallston, NC. He was a columnist for The Charlotte Observer from 1956 until 1987. He was well known and well loved for his work.
Fallston Tragedies
On December 12, 1911 married couple, John and Clayton Cline Dixon, were brutally murdered in their home near Fallston.
John Ross and Frank Gladden were charged with first degree murder. Ross was found guilty and given the death penalty; his sentence was commuted to life in prison. Frank Gladden was acquitted. Read news coverage here.
| Additional Information on Fallston |
| Town of Fallston Facebook page |
| Fallston, NC Wikipedia entry |
| National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, Stamey Building |
Cleveland County History 