Burke County Public Library

Picture Burke

Selected Historical Photographs of Burke County North Carolina

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Connelly Mineral Springs Hotel
Connelly Springs, NC.

Built beside the railroad in 1886 by Thomas J. and Philip J. Meroney of Salisbury. It had 100 guest rooms, a large dining room, and a  ballroom. Dismantled in 1944. 

Source:

Wendell Hildebrand

2005-12-29-004

Hildebran School
Hildebran, NC

When the school was built in 1917, it had five classrooms and an auditorium. There was one stove in each classroom and two in the auditorium. There was no electricity or  running water.  There were two outdoor privies.    

Source:

Wendell Hildebrand

2006-01-11-001

Lake James under Construction: 1916-19

    Burke County, NC

 Generators in Powerhouse 

 Source:

Historic Burke Foundation,   

R M Lineberger Collection

2003-05-28-004

Linville Dam and Powerhouse under Construction: 1916-1919

Lake James
Burke County, NC

Source:

Historic Burke Foundation,

R M Lineberger Collection

2003-05-28-002

Piedmont Springs Hotel
ca 1890

Was located on Upper Creek, Burke County, NC.  The hotel started ca 1850. It had a laundry house, a harness house, and spring house.  Each guest room had a bed, dresser and chairs. There was an elaborate dining room. The hotel was destroyed in the Flood of 1916. Julia Crites and her children are seated on the steps.

Source:

Historic Burke Foundation

R M Lineberger Collection

2003-07-14-013

Western North Carolina Insane Asylum (State / Broughton Hospital)
ca 1886

The south wing of the center building was constructed first and was completed in 1883. The center building and the north wing were completed in 1886.

Source:

R. Douglas  Walker, Jr.

2002-09-26-001

Caldwell Hotel
1930

Was located on the southeast corner of South Green and East Union Streets. Was built on the site of the 1813 house built by John Caldwell that was razed in 1921.  The hotel was completed in 1922 and remained in operation for over forty years.  Sigmon Service Station was located next door for a few years.   The hotel was razed in 1965.  Marquee Cinema Movie Theater is on the site today (2008).

Photography by Greene Studio

Source: 

NC Room,
Burke County Public Library

2002-09-27-004

Hunt House
1890

Faced South Sterling Street on the southwest corner of South Sterling and West Union Streets. The hotel was known as the McEntire House (Inn), then the Walton House, and lastly the Hunt House.  It and many other buildings in downtown Morganton were destroyed in a fire in 1893.  Wells Fargo Bank is on the site today. 

Source:

Burke County Historical Society
(Dr. I. M. Taylor)

2002-09-27-009

Iron Bridge over the Catawba River

Was located near the present bridge over the Catawba River on Highway 181 at Morganton, NC. Destroyed in the flood of 1916.  An abutment on the south side of the river may be found on the Greenway today.  

Photographer:  F. W. Tyler

Source: 

Burke County
Historical Society
(Dr. I. M. Taylor)

2002-09-27-013

Grace Hospital
Was located at 401 College Street, Morganton, NC

Completed in September 1929 at a cost of $150,000.  It was no longer used after a new hospital on South Sterling Street was completed in 1973.  The City of Morganton purchased the building in 1979. It was razed in 1982.  CoMMA (City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium) is on the site today.

NC Room,
Burke County 
Public Library

2002-10-01-002