NC 190 appeared 1930 as new primary routing running from NC 19 (now US 221) near Marion southeast to NC 182 (now NC 10) near Polkville.
In 1931, NC 190 was extended south replacing some of NC 182 to end at NC 18 in Shelby.

NC 190 Marion to Polkville

NC 190 extended to Shelby

Between 1931-36, NC 190 was removed from Golden Valley Church Rd in Rutherford County to use today's NC 226.
About 1937, NC 190 was extended south with NC 18 through Shelby, then southwest as new routing to end at US 29 Grover.
In 1940, NC 190 was renumbered as part of NC 26.
Today it is NC 226 except around US 64 near Dysartville it used Fortune Road to US 64, then multiplexed on US 64 EB into Burke County, then south along Bolden Gap Rd. Also, in Shelby it used Grover St over to NC 18.

NC 190 extended to Grover

NC 26 replaces NC 190