I've got a penchant for small town post offices. Generally speaking, I'm not a big fan of our USPS…read more There's just something about this one. It's neither ancient or new. The parking is almost nonexistent. There's two parking spaces out front and a few more on the side. Upon entry, the customer service section is on the left, post office boxes in front and on the right. I only saw one customer. Nice sized post office for a town with a population of 808!

Unfortunately we have no other choice for the mail and the post office knows this! Their customer…read moreservice is one of the worst, they aren't eager to help and when you have questions or opinions about their service they speak to you as if they had better things to do. The hours are inconvenient and as quickly as Landrum is growing you would think it's time to go back to normal business hours and/or hire more people if you need to close down to catch up on your work! Also, if you have a question, don't try to call because they almost never answer the phone! I have had to drive there several times just to get answers that could have easily been answered over the phone!

I mailed a package yesterday and a mail and my PostOffice Lady was such a help. She was very…read moreefficient but always friendly and supportive which in these days is not always how service people act. It's a sad commentary on contemporary life , but at least my local PostOffice still acts with a welcome to customers! Laurel

This address is the Town Hall. Code enforcement, zoning, pay utility bills and Of course, Mayors…read moreoffice. Friendly people and very approachable people willing to answer questions.

The McDowell Chamber of Commerce is a clean, organized space and the event itself was run…read moreprofessionally. Funny enough, most of the reviews in Google seem to focus on the rest area side of the building rather than the Chamber itself. That said, I don't see the value in the membership cost for what is essentially basic local networking. Most of what is being offered can be done for free within the community. There are already free, effective ways to build local business connections, including community events and markets, Facebook groups, volunteering, and directly introducing yourself to nearby businesses. In my opinion, people should be aware that membership is not required to build strong local relationships, and in many cases the same connections can be made without paying for access.

I stopped in late at night, so the Chamber of Commerce visitor center was closed and the gift shop…read morewas closed, but the restrooms were open and that's really the main reason I stopped in. This is a very useful rest area along US 221. The highway itself is massive, stretching from North Florida to Virginia but here in North Carolina it's quite twisty and windy. And that's why this rest area is particularly helpful. Unlike Interstate rest areas, there are some turns and stop signs involved. Easy enough even if you're driving an RV but still a bit of a challenge. Rest room was clean and well lit. And even though the chamber offices were closed, they had a selection of brochures and local information on display. [Review 12712 overall, 24 of 2020.]

Its nice and clean, but the workers talk so loud and constantly that I cant concentrate on my own…read morebook. Used to be my get away in the past.

The public library. Local, accessible and best of all, free!! Since my studying days are pretty…read moremuch over (no more research or term papers for me), I come here mostly for my kids. The children's section is huge and quite awesome. They check out about 20 books every two weeks and we use them for bedtime stories. During the summer months, when kids are out of school they have story hour and different presentations. Last summer the children's museum in Rutherford came and did a bunch of kid friendly hands on experiments. This library is about much more than books; it's a part of the community and a great supporter of education. Check their website for program times and dates.

Located in front of the Cleveland County Courthouse (now the Earl Scruggs Center) is this memorial…read moreto those who fought on the side of the Confederacy. As we all know, the Union ended up the victors of the war but the statue was still installed and remains in 2021. On top a granite base with engravings on multiple sides, "In honor of the Confederate Heroes of Cleveland County, 1861-1865. Lest we forget." and "Erected by the Daughters of the Confederacy, November 21, 1906" with a plaque below it, "Restored by the Cleveland Guards, Chapter #443 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, September 15, 1991." The statue is in excellent condition, depicting a moustached Confederate soldier in uniform, holding his rifle in ready position. Below him, "C.S.A." and a battle flag. [Review 14928 overall, 430 of 2021, number 2828 in North Carolina.]

Cute little house as the Board of Elections building. Not much parking. Great and friendly staff!…read moreSuper eager to assist.

This historical marker is located along busy US-74 Business but is accessible. It recalls a former…read moregovernor of North Carolina. It reads, "O. Max Gardner. 1882-1947. Governor, 1929-33; Under Secretary of U.S. Treasury; appointed Ambassador to Great Britain, 1946. Birthplace stands here, grave 300 yards north." Online, there is more information. "Oliver Max Gardner, whose political organization dominated state politics for a generation, took office only months before the stock market crash of 1929 and responded to the economic crisis with retrenchment and centralization of governmental functions. Like his brother-in-law Clyde R. Hoey part of the "Shelby Dynasty" (a term Gardner disliked), the future governor was born on March 22, 1882 in the Cleveland County town." "In 1900 Max Gardner enrolled at the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (present North Carolina State University) and in 1906 he studied law at the University of North Carolina. At both schools he captained the football team." "In 1910 Gardner was elected to the state senate and four years later was returned for a second term, during which he served as president pro tem. In 1916, the year Thomas W. Bickett was elected governor, Gardner was elected lieutenant governor. In 1920 Gardner entered the race to be Bickett's successor. In the first primary Robert N. Page was eliminated but in the second Cameron Morrison, with the backing of the political machine of Senator Furnifold Simmons, defeated Gardner. The Shelby attorney returned to his law practice and to his farm. With partner O. M. Mull he founded Cleveland Cloth Mill. Gardner remained active in party politics and in 1928 was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. He defeated Republican Herbert F. Seawell handily in the fall." "For eight years, under the administrations of Cameron Morrison and Angus W. McLean, the state had witnessed relative prosperity. The onset of the Depression presented Governor Gardner with unforeseen challenges. In 1930 he authorized a study of state government by the Brookings Institution which recommended a massive shift of power from county courthouses to Raleigh with the state taking responsibility for all secondary road maintenance and public school costs. Other reforms included reduction of property taxes, limits on local bond issues, and creation of a central purchasing agency. With the governor's support, the legislature approved workmen's compensation, the secret ballot, and abolition of the chain gang system." "On racial matters, Gardner was perhaps the most progressive Democratic governor to date. While his record on race is imperfect, he seemed to genuinely care about the plight facing Black North Carolinians and championed continued improvements in education, social services, and public health." [Review 14966 overall, 468 of 2021, number 2846 in North Carolina.]