History of

Polk & Rutherford Counties, NC

New! 53 Page Illustrated Booklet!

Early days in Polk County and Rutherford County in south-western North Carolina, are recalled through a mixture of colorful tales and factual data in this new 53-page spiral-bound booklet, comprised of excerpts from several vintage books. These source materials include John Hill Wheeler's 1851 Historical Sketches of North Carolina; North Carolina, A Guide to the Old North State, a product of the WPA, first published in 1939; and A New Geography of North Carolina, a project started in the 1950s.

The tri-color front cover is printed on 80# card stock and has been protected with a vinyl sheet. The text is printed single-sided on 60# opaque paper, with the print enlarged to fit the 8.5" x 11" paper and improve readability.

Towns mentioned in the booklet include: Polk County -- Columbus (county seat), Tryon, and Saluda, . Rutherford County --Rutherfordton (county Seat), Forest City (formerly Burnt Chimney), Spindale, Ellenboro, Ruth, Cliffside, Alexander, Caroleen, Henrietta, Harris, Westminster, Sunshine, Golden Valley, Union Mills, Logan, Thermal City and Ayr (a ghost town).

Among the many subjects included are: Geological and Physical features, Chimney Rock in Hickory Nut Gorge, Lake Lure and Lake Adger, Devil's Head, Pearson Falls, and Bat Cave; Members of the General Assembly from Rutherford County before 1851; Early notables -- John Paxton, Joshua Foreman, Felix Walker, Gen. John Gray Bynum, Dr. Ben E. Washburn, Rumulus Z. Linney, the Mills family, ; Transportation -- a road through the Blue Ridge and railroads; Civil War and Recovery; Minerals, including Gold and Monazite; Schools and Churches, including strange doings during the Great Revival and a congregation of Dunkers; General Griffith Rutherford's Raid on the Cherokee Indians in 1776; Warrior's Gap and a raid by Capt. Thomas Howard; Green Rivert Plantation; Agriculture, and Thermal Belts; Industry and Recreation; Horseback Riding and Equestrian Sports; Bechtler's private gold mint; Harris Tavern; where Aaron Burr lost out, how a poem won an election, ghost legends, land schemes, an unlucky plaintiff, and other curious bits of history and trivia.

The WPA section offers a nostalgic glimpse of the area from a 1939 vantage point, offering historical notes and sightseeing possibilities.

Our North Carolina booklets are a good resource for learning about the history, geography and social climate of places where you or your ancestors have lived or places you plan to visit.

Wouldn't this make a unique gift?