Historic Landmarks

Cleveland County is home to numerous private homes, churches, and commercial buildings that have withstood the ravages of time. There are currently 30 places listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are two in Boiling Springs, one in Double Shoals, one in Grover, nine in Kings Mountain, one in Polkville, and 16 in Shelby. Cleveland County Historic Places, also National Register of Historic Places.

Below are a few of Cleveland County’s beautiful old homes and other old landmarks.

  • Double Shoals Cotton Mill
  • Cleveland Training School
  • Central School, KM
  • Southern Railway Overhead Bridge, KM
  • Rebel Statue given by UDC
  • Stamey Store, Fallston
  • Monument to John Teeter Beam; in the graveyard of New Prospect Baptist Church.
  • Capt. W. T. R. Bell Monument

The Shelby City Park is home to a Herschell Spillman carrousel. The carrousel was manufactured in North Tonawanda, NY in 1919. In 1951 it was found available for sale through the efforts of J. S. Dorton and Joe Goforth. First National and Union Trust Banks donated the funds to buy it and have it brought to Shelby.

After decades of use and weathering, the decision was made to take it out of operation and have it restored. The carrousel was disassembled and moved to the Shelby National Guard Armory. The restoration of it was spearheaded by Tom Forney. Numerous wood crafters and artists worked on it for 10 years. It was put back into operation in October of 1998. Tar Heel Traveler video.

  • Webbley
  • James Heyward Hull House
  • The Banker’s House
  • Joshua Beam House
  • El Nido
  • George Sperling House
  • Irvin-Hamrick Log Cabin
  • Joseph Lattimore House
  • Dr. Victor McBrayer House

Sadly, so many old homeplaces are now gone. This one was built about 1880 by Rufus Pinkney Hoyle. It was a beautiful Italianate home located about four miles south of Fallston on Clark Circle.

Nettie Greenway Hoyle, wife of Rush C. Hoyle and an unknown friend. The house was built about 1880 by Rush’s parents, Rufus Pinkney and Eliza Hord Hoyle. It was located on Clark Circle. It is no longer standing.
Historical Markers

The North Carolina Highway Historical Marker program has been operated jointly with the Department of Transportation to share concise accounts of North Carolina’s history since 1935. North Carolina’s is one of the oldest of similar programs in continuous operation in the United States. See all of the markers located in Cleveland County here.