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Rhodhiss traces its origins to the early 20th century as an intentional mill village built along the upper Catawba River. The town's name is a portmanteau honoring John Melancthon Rhodes and George B. Hiss, who partnered to build a cotton mill, dam, and related infrastructure in the region. The founding vision included not just a mill, but a village with worker housing, a general store, and a horseshoe-shaped dam supplying hydroelectric power, laying the foundation of community life. In 1902, the Rhodhiss Manufacturing Company began operations, and the town was incorporated in 1903, soon expanding across both Caldwell and Burke counties.

In its first decade, Rhodhiss invested heavily in infrastructure and industrial capacity. A two-room school was built, and a steel bridge was erected across the Catawba River to connect the divided halves of the community. As textile demand grew, the mills became the core economic engine. Later on, hydropower development further strengthened the town's role in regional industrial networks. By the mid-1920s, the original dam was rebuilt and expanded, and the Rhodhiss hydroelectric station was commissioned, enabling the town to generate its own power and support broader operations.

Throughout the 20th century, textile manufacturing remained central to Rhodhiss life, but the town also evolved socially and economically. The mill village model sustained a tight community rhythm: housing, schooling, churches, and commerce all revolved around mill life. Over time, as regional economies evolved, the hydro station and its power output became equally significant. Local mills were part of broader corporate consolidations, and their products included technical fabrics, even contributing materials for national projects. The interplay of industry and local identity shaped daily life in Rhodhiss.

In later decades, as the textile sector contracted in many parts of the Southeast, Rhodhiss adapted. Some mill operations were shuttered or restructured, but the hydro station and dam continued to play critical roles—providing power, managing water, and anchoring the local landscape. Today, the legacy of its industrial origin is visible in the town's layout, the dam and water features, and the ongoing efforts to revitalize disused mill properties. The hydro station and lake attract recreation, water access, and aesthetic value, bringing new dimensions to community life.

Modern Rhodhiss balances its historic character with evolving utility. Its residential areas retain mill-era housing and a close-knit feel, while new development clusters near bridge access, creek banks, and lakefront zones. Lake Rhodhiss provides boating, fishing, and scenic appeal, and the hydro facilities remain integral into the 21st century. Locals often celebrate Rhodhiss's unique claim of having contributed fabric to the U.S. flag planted on the moon, a point of civic pride and symbolism. The community now looks forward toward adaptive reuse of industrial sites, reinvestment in riverfront spaces, and a sustainable blend of heritage and opportunity.