Remember Cliffside

Why this Website?

In the southeastern corner of Rutherford County, North Carolina, along the Second Broad River, snug up against the Cleveland County line is the village of Cliffside. Or more accurately, what's left of the village of Cliffside. It was established about a hundred years ago and, like many other small textile mill towns of the time, was built and totally owned by “the company.” All land, homes and commercial buildings were the property of the mill owner. Although workers weren't required to live in these “mill houses,” many did, both for convenience and for economic reasons. (Rents were in the range of 25¢ per room, per month. Do the math. A four room house rented for $12.00 a year!)

In the 60's and '70s Cliffside was razed. Only the mill, the churches and the school were left standing. The homes that had housed generations of millworkers were torn down, most too substandard to save. Many of the streets were plowed up and closed. The sights and places that shaped our early lives are gone.

This website is dedicated to preserving the memories and lore of the Cliffside we once knew. We welcome your participation. If you have documents, articles, artifacts, photographs or memories that you would like to share, we urge you to contribute them.

If you're not a native, and haven't a clue where Cliffside is: