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Volume 138 • Issue 7
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
75¢
Historic Kings Mtn. John Wells log cabin moving to town By Alan Hodge What has been called Cleveland County’s oldest standing home structure will, figuratively speaking, be growing legs and moving to a new location on Battleground Ave. The 246-year-old John Wells log cabin is located just off Dixon School Rd. near Kings Mountain. The cabin is a stone’s throw from former Kings Mountain Herald editor Gary Stewart’s house on property his family has owned for over a century. Stewart has gifted the cabin to Gilbert Patrick who plans to move it to his mother’s house in town. Patrick intends to restore the structure and use it for family events as well as historic programs. Stewart talked about the cabin and its place in his family over the decades. “My grandfather John Stewart bought several hundred acres from the Wells family in the early 1900s,” he said. “The cabin was on the property, and he lived in it until he died in 1950.” It should be noted that when John Stewart and subsequent Stewarts, including Gary’s parents and his sister, fellow Herald journal-
ist the late Lib Stewart, lived in the house where the original log cabin formed a “core” with updated siding and additions altering its exterior appearance. “If you went in the attic, you could still see some log construction,” Gary said. “The logs looked like new.” Gary lived in the house until he and his wife were married in 1971, then he moved into their current brick house next door. The last occupants of the “cabin” were his mother Letha and Lib who moved about twenty years ago across Stewart Rd. into another frame house. The cabin was vacant for many years, and Gary decided to give it to Gilbert Patrick who, in exchange, will clean up the property after its removal and seed grass. “I know Gilbert will do what’s right,” Gary said. “I’m a little sad, but it was time for it to go.” Gilbert Patrick and his family have a long-time Kings Mountain and Cleveland County connection and for him the cabin is an architectural icon, hence his desire to see it live on. See CABIN, Page 7A
Kings Mountain Gateway Trail 5K & 10-mile runs to be held March 28 Kings Mountain Gateway Trail announced its 5K and 10-mile runs for March 28 this year at 807 S. Battleground Ave. in Kings Mountain. Runners can sign up at www.runsignup.com. The runs are professionally managed on the day of the run, on Facebook, and at the website www.runsignup. com. 2026 marks the Kings Mountain Gateway Trail’s 17th year. There is a gun start and chip finish for both the 5K and 10 Miler. The start times have changed this year so those wanting extra miles are now able to run both the 5K and the 10 Miler. There is no designated kid's fun run but they are more than welcome and encouraged to participate in the 5K. Packet pick up will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026 from 3pm until 6pm at the Trail Office. Awards will be posted online and trophies awarded on site. There will be a waters/aid station at the 5K and 10 mile turn around. Water will also be provided at the finish. The race will begin on Quarry Road, as the runners spread out, the course turns onto a 10 foot wide gravel trail.
The 5K course: Start at the first gate on Quarry Road, run through parking lot and enter the trail, take the first right, then take the next right onto the Foote Trail, go to the turn around (clearly marked), exit the Foote Trail by turning right to go to the Plateau trail, do the circle on top, go back down, take the immediate right down the rail trail back to the finish line to complete the 3.1 miles. The 10 mile course, which is out and back entirely on the Foote Trail, a gravel surface road skirting the perimeter of an inactive mine with views of scenic lakes and a private bridge over Interstate 85. Registration is $20 for both the 5K and 10M (no t-shirt), $25 for both the 5K and 10M (with t-shirt). T-shirts are only guaranteed through March 18, 2026. Trophies will be awarded to the top three male and female runners in both the 5K and 10M. Overall age groups: U-14, See RUNS, Page 2A
Former Herald editor Gary Stewart at the Wells cabin on his property. The cabin dates to circa 1780. (Photo by Alan Hodge )
Kevin Osborne resigns his YMCA positions After 16 years of dedicated service to the Cleveland County Family YMCA, Kevin Osborne has accepted the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Anderson Area YMCA in South Carolina. While we will certainly miss Kevin’s leadership here, we are incredibly proud of him and excited to see him take this next step in his YMCA journey. Over the past 16 years, Kevin has been a steady, mission-driven leader who embodied the YMCA’s values of faith, caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. His commitment to strengthening community,
KEVIN OSBORNE supporting staff and volunteers, and expanding access to programs that serve people of all ages and backgrounds has left a lasting impact on our organization
and the community we serve. Most recently, Kevin has served as Vice President and Senior Executive for the Kings Mountain and Ruby C. Hunt YMCAs. His more than 25-year YMCA career has also included leadership roles in Statesville and Hickory. Because of Kevin’s leadership, and the unwavering support of our volunteers, donors, and community partners, the Cleveland County Family YMCA has continued to grow as a place where people feel welcomed, supported, and connected. That shared impact is something
we are deeply proud of and grateful for. Cam Corder, YMCA Chief Executive Officer shared this important update with both gratitude and pride. Corder said, “Please join us in congratulating Kevin and wishing him every success as he begins this exciting new chapter at the Anderson Area YMCA. In the weeks ahead, we will create several opportunities to visit with Kevin and thank him for his years of service to our YMCA and our community.”
KM Historical Museum and Mauney Memorial Public Library present Women at the Edge of War The Kings Mountain Historical Museum is proud to announce a compelling new exhibit, “Women at the Edge of War: Carolina Piedmont’s Heroines of the American Revolution,” The exhibi† is now open and runs through May 30, from 10:00am to 4:00pm. This dynamic exhibit shines a long-overdue spotlight on the courageous women of the Carolina Piedmont whose bravery, resil-
ience, and quiet heroism shaped the outcome of the American Revolution. While battles raged across the region, women stood at the literal and figurative edge of war – serving as spies, messengers, protectors of homesteads, caregivers to soldiers, and guardians of family survival amid chaos and danger. Through rare artifacts, immersive storytelling, and local historical records, visitors will discover the lives of remarkable women whose stories have often remained in the margins of history. The exhibit highlights how ordi-
nary women became extraordinary patriots in the face of British occupation, frontier violence, and wartime uncertainty. “Women at the Edge of War” offers an engaging, educational experience for families, students, history enthusiasts, and community members alike. Guests will walk away with a deeper appreciation for the critical role women played in sustaining the Patriot cause in the Carolina backcountry – particularly in the communities surrounding Kings Mountain, where the Revolutionary War
left an indelible mark. “These women were not bystanders to history – they were active participants whose courage helped shape our nation’s story,” said a museum board member. “This exhibit honors their legacy and ensures their voices are finally heard.” The exhibit is located at the Kings Mountain Historical Museum, 100 East Mountain Street, Kings Mountain, NC 28086, and will be open to the public during regular museum hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm.
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