Next stop was Columbus, a first time visit for me, and the county seat for Polk County. The city is also home to the American Legion World Series each summer. Washington Street has magnificent older homes, the most famous being Webbley, built in 1852 and once home to NC Governor O. Not currently a hotel, a study is currently underway to possibly restore it again. It caught fire in 1928, just ahead of the depression but was able to reopen in 1929. The next most dominating building is the Charles Hotel, first built in the 1890s. Court activities are now held in the Law Enforcement Building, while the restored courthouse also houses a museum. Gibson has an active musical theatre and Scruggs has an ongoing exhibit located in another magnificent and restored courthouse, the centerpiece of Shelby that was built in 1907.

Considered a textile boom town, Shelby mills paid among the highest wages in the south.Īmong the famous locals were singer Don Gibson, bluegrass banjo picker Earl Scruggs and NFL star Bobby Bell. The city was chartered in 1843 and was named for Revolutionary War Hero Isaac Shelby.

Back on 150, the next stop was Shelby, seat of Cleveland County.

Surface book 1832