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This year, the annual Gold Coin Event and Silent Auction became the kick off for a well planned year of celebrating Rutherfordton’s 225 years of existence.
The annual fundraiser was held on Saturday, March 23rd, at the Rutherfordton Clubhouse from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Cindy Adair, Rutherford Town Revitalization Event Planner and Coordinator was very pleased with the turnout and discussed the forthcoming events during the 225 year celebration. First off, there will be a birthday party on the Rutherfordton Courthouse lawn beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 14th. On May 5th, the annual Mayfest will take place. New this year will be an old fashioned July 4th celebration. It will include old timey boxcar races, watermelon eating contest, three legged sack race, a car show and two bands. It will also feature an old fashioned walking parade, decorated bikes and a Red Hat ladies promenade. In September the celebration features a free movie on the Bechtler Mint of Rutherfordton.
It will be shown at R-S Central High School. In the 1830’s and 1840’s the Bechtler Mint produced more than $2.25 million dollars in gold coinage. It is credited with producing the nation’s first $1 gold coin. The annual Christmas parade will round out the celebration of a town founded 225 years ago.
Rutherfordton was established in 1787 to serve as the seat of government for Rutherford County. Both the County and Town are namesakes of General Griffith Rutherford, a popular western North Carolina politician and general during the Revolutionary War period. It replaced the small village of Gilbert Town (once located 3 miles north) which served first at the county seat of old Tryon County during the Colonial period and continued to serve in that capacity when Rutherford County was formed in 1779. Because the move from Gilbert Town to Rutherfordton caused no interruption in the official business of the county or local court, Rutherfordton holds the distinction of being home to the oldest continuing body of government in western North Carolina.
Rutherfordton is steeped in history and continues to retain its “old time” charm. Rutherfordton is among the oldest towns in western North Carolina. Also, downtown Rutherfordfton is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district and is a beautiful representation of rural western North Carolina small town.
The 225 birthday celebration is a very special occasion and everyone throughout the county is invited to join in Rutherfortons year long birthday celebration.
