Ellenboro, a small, rural town located in the eastern section of Rutherford County, is located on the highest point of highway between Charlotte and the mountains. It consists of an elementary school, a convenience store, service stations, game room, volunteer fire department, cafe, cotton gin, post office, bank, and a variety of other small businesses. Its churches and civic organizations are well-known throughout the county.

Much of Ellenboro's history has died along with its citizenry. Very little has been recorded, and few remain who can recall exact details.

Prior to the mid 1800s, the township was nothing more than an area with one store, four or five houses, Bethel Church, and a log school near Sandy Run Creek. During this time, people traveled by foot or horse and buggy. Until the invention of the automobile, there were no paved roads; a trip to Shelby would be an all-day journey.

A turning point for the area was in 1874 when the railroad was built in Rutherford County. This was an exciting time for the people in the community. Visitors would come from miles around just to watch the passenger trains and freight cars come through.

During this time, Ellenboro was becoming the shipping center for a mineral called monazite. Trains were making regular stops, and it became necessary to give the place a name and build a depot.

The engineer of the first train, Mr Robinson, from Hamlet, NC, heard of the community's need for a name. He offered the residents a brass bell if they would name their town after his terminally ill daughter, Ellen. The citizenry agreed.

The suffix "boro" meaning "small village" was added to "Ellen" making the name was now know as Ellenboro. The brass bell, as promised by Mr Robinson, was given to the town. Inscribed on the bell were these words: "Given to the town of Ellenboro in loving memory of Ellen Robinson by her father. 1874"

The bell was placed in the most prominent building, the school. During the years that followed, the bell was moved several times because the location of the school changed. However, the bell eventually disappeared, and some residents speculate that it was sold in the early 1940s as scrap metal for use in World War II.

On the 28th day of February, 1889, the General Assembly of North Carolina enacted legislation to incorporate the town of Ellenboro. The corporate limits were set at one-half mile in each and every direction from the Carolina Central Depot. (The name was later changed to the Old Seaboard Railroad Depot.)

The law stated that the town have a mayor, four commissioners, and a marshal. For some reason, on 11 Oct 1913, the town charter was amended and an additional commissioner was added. Until an election could be held, temporary officers were appointed. Elections have taken place in Ellenboro since that time.

In 1906, the production of monazite began to decline, and in 1910, it ceased. This factor, along with the invention of the automobile several years later, caused the decreased importance of the railroad in the town.

At one time, there were two boarding houses in Ellenboro which were built to accommodate the railroad personnel and passengers. One such structure was a four-storied building owned by the county sheriff, Mr McFarland. It stood near the site presently occupied by Needmore's convenience store. When it was dismantled in the late 1940s, three houses were constructed, from the wood, on Cherry Mountain Street.

The other boarding house, The Piedmont House, was a very prominent building. It was built across the road from the depot. In 1976, it was purchased by the town from the John Martin family. The town hall, which was first occupied in Jan 1980 no stands on that site.

There was once a large water tank near the railroad which supplied water from a nearby creek to the steam engines. It was no longer needed when the steam engines were replaced by the diesel engines.

The first telephone company in Rutherford County was loacted in Ellenboro, in the home of Miss Zuda Harrill. The switchboard was operated by both Miss Harrill and her sister. Southern Bell purchased the company in the late 1950s.

At one time, Ellenboro had several doctors. Dr Gold's office was in his home. Dr King had an office in the back of the drugstore. Dr Buchanan had an office over the bank, and Dr Wilson, whose office was also over the bank, came to fit glasses by appointment.

There have been a variety of businesses in Ellenboro. Several cotton gins have been in operation at one time. One gin stood int he area where Jones' Barber Shop is now. Also there were a saw mill, a lumber yard, a blacksmith shop and a hat shop. McKinney and Turner Hardware also sold caskets. A roller mill located near the McDaniel Gin closed in

Nineteen Churches

Since transportation was limited, most people had to walk to church. Some have been known to walk as far as five miles to attend services. Although there were few churches then, the three that are best remembered are Bethel Baptist, Concord Baptist and Oak Grove Methodist. Today, there are approximately 19 churches in the vicinity of Ellenboro.

The bank of Ellenboro was one of three in the county to survive the Great Depression.

The fourth of July was once an exciting time for the residents of Ellenboro. This festive occasion, called "Big Day", provided contests, games and entertainment for people from all parts of the county. Even medicine men would be there to perform. On one special occasion, a man was sent up in a hot air balloon.

Early Schools

first one was held in a house where the Lewis family now lives. It served grades 1-9, and employed two or three teachers. The three rooms were heated by a wood stove. Each student was expected to bring a stick of wood each day for the fire. Those who failed to do so were asked to sit at the back of the room where it was coldest. There were no restrooms nor running water.

Since there were no lunchrooms in the earliest schools, students brought their lunch from home. A typical lunch might consist of ham or sausage biscuits, peanut butter sandwiches, and cold, baked, sweet potatoes. Students drank water from a dipper.

In the early 19000s, school was in session four months a year. Teachers' salaries were about $25.00 a month.

During World War II, some of the war efforts filtered down to the schools. Professor J J Tarlton led the county schools in cooperating in many phases of the war. School children aided in the salvage drives, collecting scrap paper, scrap iron, and other essential metals and materials.

With the changing times, advancing technology, and decreasing popularity of the railroads, the center of activity and interest moved from the depot to the school. One very special event was the annual fair. From its beginning in 1926, it was called the Colfax Free Fair, and offered to the people an opportunity to display their garden, farm and home-made goods. There were contests of all kinds. Nearby counties brought exhibits to be added to those displayed by local people. School students competed for prizes. Beauty contests were also held. The baby contest selected the "best developed baby", the "prettiest baby" and the "fattest baby". A Miss Colfax Free Fair

The Colfax Free fair, organized by an Ellenboro teacher, Mr A B Bushong, operated under that name until 1970. Since that time, it has been known as the Ellenboro Fair.

One interesting note about the fair is that Lee Rides has been coming to the annual fair since its beginning, over fifty years ago.

The present school structure was built in 1924, and contained a limited amount of space. A small addition was built four years later. In 1932, the auditorium was added, and ten years later, in 1942, the section near the gymnasium was constructed. A new cafeteria was built in 1957. Twenty years later, in 1977, the old gym was torn down and the present gymnasium was built in its new location.

Ellenboro is still a small town, and has not grown as rapidly as local, nearby towns. The opening of the 74 by-pass has left Ellenboro with mostly local traffic. However, the community spirit has accelerated and remains strong.

Wayne York, Principal of Ellenboro School, perhaps summarizes it best. "Ellenboro is a friendly society of people who think critically and work cooperatively to influence the welfare of others. Each individual is characterized by a sense of dignity and by a sense of loyalty to American democratic ideals. Ellenboro is a friendly society of people who cleave to the best of the past and who temper the present with the future. Ellenboro's citizens are sharing and caring people who work cooperatively for the betterment of mankind. The hub of this community is the church; the wisdom of this community is its elders; and the pride of this community is its youth."

We, the Ellenboro Tigers, have many things for which to be proud. Let us strive to become better leaders for tomorrow and endeavor to keep up the traditions set before us. --Students Jeff Cabaniss, Dawn Delk, and Denise Martin; Teacher: Peggy Wells

Submitted to the Rutherford County Heritage Book