The Bechtler House
Hours:
130 W 6th St, Rutherfordton NC 28139
Hours
From The Bechtler House
North Carolina was home to the first Gold Rush in American history. The Bechtler House Heritage Center tells the story of Christopher Bechtler who came to Rutherfordton in 1830 and began minting gold in 1832. He minted the first one dollar gold coin 17 years before the U.S. Mint. He would go on to mint more than $2.24 million dollars in gold coins, stimulating commerce in the Southeast, leaving a permanent legacy to both Rutherford County and American history. The Bechtler House is open to the public and showcases period artifacts and exhibits that transport visitors back to the 1830s to tell the Bechtler story. The house also serves as the headquarters of the NC Gold Trail, which connects 30 counties. Open Fridays other times by appt.
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Rutherfordton, North Carolina
