The counties of North Carolina evolved from the original British colonies, where the concept of “shires” (similar to counties) was adopted and implemented as a way to organize and govern newly established settlements. The boundaries of these counties were adjusted often over time based on population growth and geographic needs. After the American Revolution when the colonies became states, the existing colonial administrative divisions became the foundation for county structures within the newly formed states.
The number of counties in North Carolina has grown from two to 100. In the interim, some early counties became extinct, while others were absorbed, ceded, or created from existing counties of the time. The later is how Cleveland County came to be. In 1841, Cleveland County was created from portions of eastern Rutherford County and western Lincoln County.
Watch this video to see how the NC map of counties evolved over a two hundred year span of time.
1700 – 1912
For more information, click on the book cover below to visit The Internet Archive. This link provides free access to David Leroy Corbitt’s book on the formation of NC counties.
For additional information:
Cleveland County History 