Located just around the corner from the historic Iredell County Courthouse, this marker points out…read morea business that no longer stands in Statesville. Marker M-57 reads, "Wallace Brothers Herbarium. World renowned supplier of medicinal herbs, barks, berries & roots. Est. by Jewish immigrants, 1871. One block NW until 1942." David and Isaac Wallace, German Jewish immigrants, built a thriving mercantile and herb-trading enterprise in Statesville beginning in 1859, eventually creating what became the world's largest herbarium. Their success was fueled by botanist Mordecai Hyams, whose Appalachian expeditions and training of rural pickers supplied thousands of plant varieties to distilleries, pharmaceutical companies and international markets. The Wallace Brothers gained national and international acclaim, earning gold medals at major exhibitions in Philadelphia and Paris and later appearing at the Chicago and Saint Louis World's Fairs. Their herb trade provided crucial income for struggling North Carolinians during the 1870s, though the company's bankruptcy in 1895 ended the family's dominance even as descendants carried the business into the mid-twentieth century. Despite the decline of herbal medicine, the legacy of the Wallaces and the Hyams endures through their contributions to botany, the founding of Statesville's Jewish congregation, and the preservation of thousands of plant specimens now held in major institutions. It is marker number M-57 and it was erected by the North Carolina Office of Archives and History in 2023. There is limited parking nearby. [Review 589 of 2026 - 4678 in North Carolina - 25770 overall]

Who is Sam J. Ervin, Jr and why were a historical marker, a bronze statue and plaques on the…read moresidewalk placed outside of the historic Burke County Courthouse in his honor? Sam J. Ervin Jr is considered a "Native Son" in Morganton, NC because he was born, raised, worked, and buried in the area. He was born in 1896 to a prominent attorney, Samuel James Ervin and Laura Theresa Powe. Long before the nation affectionately came to know him as "Senator Sam," he volunteered to serve in World War I a month before graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1917. Erwin faced intense combat, serving on the front lines in France. He was wounded twice and earned two Purple Hearts. He also received the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism and the Silver Star for gallantry in action during the capture and defense of Cantigny, and the French Fourragère, awarded by France for his unit's collective valor. Ervin Jr, considered himself a "country lawyer" even after graduating from Harvard Law School with honors. He also did law school backward, starting with Year 3 classes and finishing with Year 1 classes. "Senator Sam" is best known for presiding over the Watergate Hearings in 1973-1974 to protect American democracy from executive overreach, as he was a Constitutional Genius. When he retired from the Senate in 1974, Ervin moved back to Morganton, NC, so that he could practice law, write books, and live his life in the mountains with the community he loved. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served as a Deacon and Elder. When visiting downtown Morganton, take a few minutes to read the marker, study the statue, and read the engravings.

This marker is located directly in front of the Burke County Courthouse and points out this local…read morewho was a lawyer here and went on to represent the state in Washington. It is marker number N-49 and it reads, "U.S. Senator, 1954-1974; led Senate Watergate Committee, 1973-1974; judge. His law office was one block west." It was erected in 2011 by the North Carolina Office of Archives an History. There is more information online. Ervin's career bridged the era when powerful Southern politicians shaped national politics. After service in World War I and years as a legislator and judge, he entered Congress twice by appointment, ultimately winning three full Senate terms. Ervin became nationally known for chairing the Watergate Committee in 1973‑74. A prolific speaker and writer on North Carolina history, he left behind an extensive body of work now housed at UNC‑Chapel Hill. His legacy, as described by historian Karl Campbell, reflects both his resistance to civil rights and the Equal Rights Amendment and his celebrated defense of civil liberties. [Review 544 of 2026 - 4639 in North Carolina - 25726 overall]

Downtown Statesville provide you with a small town feel even though Statesville keep expanding. It…read morestill feels historic and North Carolina unlike Mooresville. Not a lot of shops or good restaurants. Mostly pawn shop and coffee shop from what I am seeing. More are coming though with more people moving into town. Free parking, always a plus. There are seasonal events from time to time to boost tourism in downtown. It

Downtown Statesville has improved dramatically over the past 5-10 years. Many new businesses and…read morenew parking is underway. There are festivals and activities regularly scheduled. Fun for the family during the day and for the adults in nightlife around downtown. I enjoy visiting the new places and patronizing those familiar places for local shopping. Downtown Statesville has a lot to offer for the young and old!

I came to Rural Hill for the Amazing Maize Maze. Rural Hill is a beautiful place tucked away in…read moreHuntersville. The Maze had a high production value! Not only are you trying to navigate through the large twisting and turning space, but you're also trying to find a series of clues that have a theme. This was definitely one of the more difficult mazes that I've ever done. I went on Halloween and was also pleasantly surprised by the buckets of candy placed throughout the maze During COVID, they did a good job at managing crowds by having people buy tickets for certain time slots. The staff was wearing masks and asked people to wear masks during the beginning and end of the maze.

Whether it's from the maddening crowds of an expansive metropolis, or the pressures of a career,…read moreRural Hill is a pleasant place in which to escape. It's a quaint, restored throwback to the era when the Scots and the Davidsons timbered forests, tilling them into fields and farms. Eventually, the area was established and is known by their name. The Davidson family cemetery is prominently lined with a beautiful stone wall and is open most days. Trails exists for walking but not many use them (which is why I like going). There is an old dirt road that eventaually dead ends at a small shelter overlooking a pond--I think it leaves many disappointed. There's not much to see once you arrive and ALL the land is a County preserve with trespassing not allowed (yep, they got trail cams so if fishing is your plan, you've been warned). The magic, really, is the road itself. It winds through the woodlands for a couple miles with little traffic. I often park and walk portions with my binoculars. I grew up on such a road in Upstate New York. Fond memories rekindle. I am reminded of how happy was my childhood. Sometimes I see turkeys, deer, ospreys, and coyotes. Looking for a leisurely way to spend some time away? I say "give it a whirl." Breath it all in!

Being born and raised in SoCal this was a cool place to stop. My friend who recently moved nearby…read morefrom California had seen the sign to this place but hadn't had the chance to visit yet. So off to the bridge we go. It was not far from the freeway. We were the only ones in the park on this overcast, hot and humid day. We weren't sure how far we had to hike to the bridge and the map at the kiosk was a bit faded so it made it difficult to figure out. After doing one loop we looked at the map and went the opposite direction. Thankfully there wasn't much bug activity going on. Not sure if it's because put on bug repellent on before our trek. Anyway, we found it! It wasn't even a mile to the bridge. We were glad we didn't give up and made it to this cool bridge. It's historic and also one of the last covered bridges in NC. It's beautiful here, plenty of lush trees. The have signs and info along the path. My friend said that schools plan field trips to visit here. The bridge is sadly covered with graffiti but if you can look past that you will see the beauty of the bridge and imagine yourself in the time it was built. There is quite a few parking spaces and a covered seating area. It's worth stopping to check out.

Has to make a trek out to Bunker Hills Covered Bridge one afternoon recently, to enjoy the fall day…read moreand see on of the last and few remaining covered truss bridges left. Built in 1894 and covered in 1900, this one hundred plus year old landmark sits quietly off in the distance on an off beaten path. There is paved parking close but you must walk in a short distance to see the actual structure. Its covered in graffiti now but still standing, strong timbers and heavy wood beams with a heavy wooden two runner lane path. Its not in service any longer but is still walkable. We stopped and admired this century plus old bridge and then took a slow stroll across it, thinking about all the people from eras long ago that had walked before where we were walking. A Solid 4 Stars - Worth the effort and journey, if you like history, old bridges or unique structures and architecture 01171

The Senator Sam J. Ervin, Jr. Library and Museum is located within the library at Western Piedmont…read moreCommunity College in Morganton, NC. The library is inside Phifer Hall; there is a book return in front of the building. It was challenging to find the library as I missed the sign that said upper level; I just saw the arrow to the left. But then didn't see another sign. I went into a faculty office and asked for directions. The library is on the second floor, and the museum is inside the library. It is a small museum, but it is mighty and full of history with 7,500 items from the Senator's home. When you arrive, check in with the library staff, and someone will let you into the museum and give you an overview. I arrived later than expected, so I didn't have as much time as I would have liked, but I still feel I learned a lot, and I even managed to fit in the 30-minute video of Sam Ervin and the Watergate hearings. I highly recommend watching or at least listening to the video as you go through that room to get a feel for who Sam J. Ervin, Jr. was and why he is so beloved. He had a sense of humor and seemed personable, but he also went to Harvard Law School and graduated with honors. Ervin had passed the NC State Bar before entering Harvard Law School. He did it by just reading the law. He even did law school backwards, starting with year three classes, then year two and finishing with year one. Upon graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1917, his diploma actually had to be mailed to him because he had already left for basic training. (WWI) After returning from combat, he worried that his hometown sweetheart, Margaret Bruce Bell, might not wait for him to finish three years of law school. Because he already had his law license, he originally intended to stay at Harvard for only one year, so he took the advanced third-year classes that interested him the most first, just in case he had to leave early. When he found out she was willing to wait, he decided to stay and finish the rest of the degree. (She waited, and they were happily married for over 50 years.) Ervin described himself as "just a country lawyer," but he was a well-known and respected United States Senator, and he exposed the Nixon Administration's abuse of the Democratic process. Constitutional law was a subject matter he knew well. "Senator Sam" chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee's subcommittees on Constitutional Rights, Revision and Codification of the Laws, and Separation of Powers. Defending the Constitution was important to the Senator. Ervin's desk is what you first see when you start your visit. It confused me at first, as there were file drawers on both sides, but it was explained to me that one side was for whoever he was working with at the time. There is a collection of Mark Twain items in a case behind the desk. You can see the gavel he used during the Select Committee Hearings on Watergate that was given to him by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. One of the rooms has political cartoons, awards, mementos, photos, even Watergate-based board games and a chess set. The replica of Ervin's home library and study is stunning. I was told they did everything exactly how it was, so if a book was tipped or backward, that is how it is here. His collection of books was preserved, along with the furniture, doors, windows, rugs, books and mementos. It makes you feel like you are inside his house. While exploring the museum, I kept wondering who will be the Sam J. Ervin, Jr. of our generation. Sadly, I'm not sure we have anyone today with the backbone to stand and protect our institutions and preserve American democracy the way "Senator Sam" stood up to Nixon. If you are deeply interested in our nation, how it was founded, and what it takes to defend it, this mighty little hidden gem belongs at the top of your North Carolina travel itinerary!

This marker by the side of the road next to a condo development reminds us of North Carolina's…read moreslave days. The marker is in good condition but there isn't much space here to stop and read. It says, "W.T. Alexander Plantation (1824-1865) Slave Cemetery. Mecklenburg County's largest known surviving slave cemetery including the graves of Solomon and Violet Alexander who lived and worked on Alexander's 19th century cotton plantation. Located approximately 800 feet south." I'm not sure where the referenced cemetery is located - it's all houses around here. [Review 12975 overall, 291 of 2020.]

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Amazing tour!!! Wonderful history! I highly recommend coming here to learn THE TRUTH!read more

Extremely interesting and educational exhibit in Valdese! My family has a distant connection to…read morethe Waldensian faith, so we took a field trip to the Trail of Faith to learn more about it. The staff was very sweet and helpful. The layout of the trail is interactive and engaging. They have an amphitheater for their outdoor drama which shows in August. There is Christmas light display, but we have yet to see it. Every time we drive over to drive through, it's been closed!