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www.shelbyinfo.com Our 43RD Year • Issue No. 12 • March 26, 2026
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Boiling Springs is a Cleveland County jewel that’s off the beaten path By Alan Hodge Boiling Springs is most often known as the location of GardnerWebb University, but in many ways the town itself has much to offer. Not only is it a great place to live and work, its many amenities and proximity to outdoor activities and attractions makes it a destination town in every sense of the word. Boiling Springs is off the beaten path of US74 about eight miles from Shelby on NC150. With a population of only about 4,700 citizens, it has true small town flavor and feel. Information found on the Town website reveals Boiling Springs takes its name from two underground springs that were a community gathering place around 1843. Back then, Boiling Springs had no railroads, no industries, few stores and no paved streets. However, in the early 20th century, things began to change. The Kings Mountain and Sandy Run Baptist
Boiling Springs Town Manager Zachary Parker runs an efficient and progressive operation. (Photos by Alan Hodge)
Associations began looking for a place to build their denominational high school. Boiling Springs was very interested in Christian education, and town became the site for the school. The school became the Boiling Springs High School, and the boarding institution opened for business in 1905. School authorities felt that neither intoxicating drinks nor cigarettes should be sold near the school, so it was decided to ask the legislature to pass a bill to incorporate for a mile and a half in every direction. A bell tower located on the original school building was the center from which the mile and a half radius was drawn. O. Max Gardner introduced the bill to incorporate the Town. The bill passed and the town was incorporated in 1911. The New sidewalks being built in front of Gardner- population at the Webb University and throughout Main Street. time of incorpora-
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Boiling Springs Police Chief Brian DiYorio accepted that role last October. tion was 250. D.J. Hamrick was the first mayor and D.S. Lovelace, E.B. Hamrick, C.M. Hamrick, J.L. Pruett and J.F. Moore were aldermen. The Baptist boarding school is now Gardner-Webb University. The location of the springs is on Gardner-Webb University’s campus and the area around them was renovated to provide a place for people to meet or sit and reflect. These days, Boiling Springs is a progressive small town where citizens and visitors alike can avail themselves of top-notch recreation,
Police Chief Brian DiYorio reading to kids at the Boiling Springs Public Library.
Summer concerts are a big part of Boiling Springs Parks and Recreation offerings. shopping, dining, and other experiences all in a clean, safe environment. Zachary Parker is the Town Manager in Boiling Springs. He’s an energetic and forward looking professional who grew up there. He’s a perfect fit for the job and a huge cheerleader for his hometown. “We are the biggest little town in the county,” Parker says. “Our motto is ‘one town, one university, one community’,” Parker pointed out some of the things that make Boiling Springs a great example of a small town stay-
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ing on top of things. “We recently approved an Economic Development Plan as well as a Strategic Development Plan,” Parker said. “The Economic Development Plan was done by the International Economic Development Council which is based in Washington.” The introductions for each document concisely state their aim. The Economic Development Plan begins- “The Economic Development Plan for Boiling Springs, North Carolina, presents a comprehensive strategy to foster sustainable See BOILING SPRINGS, Page 2
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