Before refrigeration there was the ice man. Updates on the Yoder Family, the origin of Plank Road, four new board members, a Battle of Ramsour’s Mill 2023 recap in pictures, and Miss Jessie delivers Western Union on her bicycle. Plus two upcoming events, and the latest accessions.   Download here.

Learn about the gravestones as produced by McLean and Co., of Lincolnton, our recent windows restoration workshop with Foothills Historic Conservation, many upcoming events, plus the latest accessions.   Download here.

Paid by the column inch, Gladys Childs is lovingly remembered as the woman who chronicled everyday life in our small town. She is remembered here for her contributions for Women in History Month. What was the “Log Cabin and Hard Cider” Presidential campaign, and what was its relation to Lincoln County? Learn facts about Lincoln County’s unique foundation in tin and spodumene and how tin mining was part of Lincoln County’s past. Plus the latest accessions.   Download here.

Following his defeat at Cowpens, General Charles Earl Cornwallis made his way to Ramsour’s Mill in pursuit of Nathanial Greene. Moving too slowly, he chose to destroy most of his wagons and supplies. Learn about that event of January 1781 here. In “Letters,” learn about the area we used to call “Goodsonville.” Preservation work begins at the Butt-Brown-Presley house, and find out what kind of resources are available at the Lincoln County Library and at the LCHA office.  Download here.

The John Hoke House, also known as the Inverness Hotel, once filled the large blank space on Court Square. Learn about its history here. In “Letters,” the Catawba Valley Chapter  of the NCSAR lays a new stone at the grave of William Alexander Graham . III. Learn more about the types of artifacts we collect and the history of the healing waters of McDaniel spring. Much more. Download here.

The Porter Family has graciously given this historic home on West Main Street to the LCHA for preservation. Read about its history here. Also, learn more about a visit by New York Times Bestselling author Sharyn McCrumb, and the 50-year history of Lincolnton’s annual Apple Festival. Much more.  Download Here.

Campmeeting is an August tradition in these parts of Lincoln County. Read about the history of campmeeting at Rock Spring Campground and how one attempt to abolish campmeeting nearly ended that tradition forever. Also, who was Richard “Tomahawk Dick” Perkins and what is his claim to fame in Lincolnton. Photos from the Reep family visit to the LCHA and much more. Download Here.

First Presbyterian Church on West Main Street has been a fixture for more than 100 years. Learn about its history and how it’s gaining a new life as an event venue. Explore information on the Wacaser family of Lincoln County and the connection to Dalton, GA. Visit North Brook Elementary with the LCHA for a little basket weaving demonstration. Learn about To The End of the World by author Andrew Waters, and much more. Download Here.

Beginning in the 1920s, deteriorating conditions in the South brought African Americans northward from Georgia in what was called “the Great Migration.” From Putnam County, GA, many came to western Lincoln County to establish neighborhoods and churches. This is their story. Also, scenes from LCHA’s first Burning of the Baggage event at Battleground Park, and for Women’s History Month, meet Dr. Connie Guion, truly a pioneer in care for the poor, born right here in Lincoln County. Download Here.

In the early 1900s, Lincoln County schools were one and two-room affairs supported by their communities. As superintendent of schools, Berge Beam began a building program to consolidate smaller schools with Union High School in west Lincoln County the first. Plus a feature on the history of Newbold High School in Lincolnton which operated as the only high school for African-American students until 1968. Download here.

“Wanna see some Christmas boogers?” Memories remain of the tradition of Christmas boogering in this article by Ramona Ramsey. Earl Scronce remembers his days of visiting neighbors in disguise and singing for treats. Learn how to collect your family stories during the holidays, and the latest additions to our library and collection files. Download here.

While Lincoln County’s newest court house nears completion, we take a look at the court houses of the past. How many have there been? We track down members of the Houser and Dellinger families, Wood Family genealogies now available for purchase. Guest article by Michael Ottinger on Lincoln County’s William Alexander Graham and accomplishments as U.S. Secretary of the Navy. The latest additions to our library and collection files, and upcoming events. Download here.

Following the completion of the Duke Power’s Cowan’s Ford Dam some 60 years ago, Lake Norman began to fill. But what happened to all of the homes, churches, businesses, and people who lived along the Catawba River? What lies beneath its waves? Who was the little girl in the photo that was part of an examination of child labor in the early 1900s? New and exciting additions to our collection, plus photos from the June 20 commemoration of the Battle of Ramsour’s Mill. Download here.

“Thunder Over Carolina,” first performed in 1955, was an effort that brought the community together and how a new play, “Prelude to Victory” in 1982 came to be. How DNA testing connected an out-of-state cousin with Lincoln County relatives. Information we found on the family of Seth W. Stubbs and Elbridge Stubbs and their relation to the courthouse clock. Plus, the latest exciting accessions in the LCHA collection. Download here.

Who was Jean Laffite? A pirate or an imposter? Learn more about the elusive Laffite and his ties to Lincolnton from this author-mother-daughter team of sleuths. Remembering summers at Lake Sylvia, Edgar Love, and Betty Gabriel Ross. Download here.

Gary Ray of High Shoals made his mark in music history; Wise Tourist Court; Black History Month: the Story of Adam Miller Moore; David Deitz House Razed; Pandemic: The Scourge of Polio and David Lowe’s Story. Download here.

John Reynolds of Lincolnton destroyed the dynamite that saved the bridge at Remagen; Hallman Family; Presbyterian Manse; Train wreck on Indian Creek; Medal of Honor recipients have Lincoln County connections; Medal of Honor recipients honored; Lincoln County’s Quilt Trail. Download here.

James McLean: NC Artist and Lincolnton Native; Alba Twine Mill; First Methodist Church history; Election Thoughts by Leroy Magness; A County Divided: Steamy Politics in the 1840s; and LCHA Welcomes Four New Board Members. Download here.

Baseball of Yesterday in Lincoln County, German Migration to Cape Girardeau, Lincoln County’s Sports Hall of Fame, Ingleside Plantation and What if Forney had Killed Cornwallis? Download here.

The Battle of Ramsour’s Mill, Lincolnton County and the Pandemic of 1918, Memories of the County Home Download here.

Haynes Dairy, Wallace Alexander House, Alda Crowe Download here.

Howard’s Creek Mill Renovations, Capt. George French, Larry Craig Remembered, Shelton-Lowe Farmstead, Dr. James Haney “Stumbling Toward Zion: A Mosteller Chronicle, Robert Mosteller’s memories of Howard’s Creek Mill Download here.