This marker recalls an important local hero and citizen, responsible for much of what we have today…read morein Charlotte. The marker is not from the state marker database. It reads, "Richard Barry, 1726-1801), Tanner, Legislator, Signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. Co-founder of Hopewell Presbyterian Church, City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Superior Court. He recovered General William L. Davidson's body after the Cowan's Ford Battle and brought him to Hopewell Church for burial. Family homesite approximately 0.2 miles east." He is listed as one of Mecklenburg County's first magistrates. On February 6, 1764, he was sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives from Mecklenburg County. On November 7, 1768, by an Act of the General Assembly, Richard Barry was appointed as a member of a group of trustees and directors who were charged with the responsibilty of planning and building the town of Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition to his community and business life, Barry was an active member of the Hopewell Presbyterian Church and is buried in its cemetery. [Review 13394 overall, 713 of 2020.]

This large bronze artwork is located across from the Mecklenburg County Courthouse. It is a hand…read moreand for being such a simple sculpture, there is much to it. The hand is located in a small plaza that is outfitted with covered picnic tables and next to the parking deck. The Little Village Grill is also here. The sculpture is my Asheville-based artist Hoss Haley. The caption at the base reads, "The hand symbolizes exchange, agreement, fairness, compassion - all of which reference our judicial system and its many responsibilities to the community. Integrity refers to the state of being complete and undivided." I also found a statement online, "A challenge for Haley was positioning the hand so that is appeared neither begging nor oppressive. The result is a neutral hand, 'as if to say I'm simply offering my hand without judgment.'" That's a powerful message, quite appropriate for the location. [Review 18908 overall - 3392 in North Carolina - 2431 of 2022.]

Located along Cabarrus Avenue and in front of the college that is still standing, this marker gives…read moresome background on the founding of this educational institution. The marker reads, "Presbyterian. Est. 1867 by Luke Dorland to educate Negro women, Scotia Seminary merged in 1930 with Barber Memorial Institute. Coed since 1954." It is marker number L-102 and it was erected in 2001 by the North Carolina Office of Archives and History. The institution that became Barber-Scotia College began as a parochial school modeled on Mount Holyoke and dedicated to training Black women as teachers and social workers. It grew steadily after its 1870 charter, adding land, buildings, and enrollment, evolved into a women's college in the early twentieth century, merged with Barber Memorial Institute in 1930, achieved junior-college accreditation in 1934, advanced to a four-year college with its first bachelor's degrees awarded in 1945, and later opened its doors to all students while maintaining its historic church affiliation despite significant financial and accreditation challenges in recent decades. There is parking across the street and of course, you can park on the campus too. [Review 670 of 2026 - 4756 in North Carolina - 25851 overall]

This marker stands at the street in front of the Fish School and provides some context. There is…read moreeasy parking here though I would not recommend visiting when school is letting out or in the morning when students are arriving. The front reads, "This was the site of Fort Mill's longest operating school dedicated to African Americans. Built on a 4-acre parcel acquired in 1925, the brick school opened in 1926 and cost $12,200, a portion of which was paid by the Julius Rosenwald Fund. The school was named for George Fish (1868-1933), a white mill manager who supported its construction. African Americans were previously taught at the old Fort Mill Academy building 1 mi. SW." And the reverse, "The design of the George Fish school followed the Rosenwald Fund's six teacher floor plan and included six classrooms, an auditorium stage, and library. By the 1930s, the school enrolled grades 1-8 before adding a ninth grade and, by 1941, a high school. It remained a segregated school for African Americans until 1968, when it integrated and became Fort Mill Jr. High. The school was sold in 1986 and later demolished." This is marker number 46-68 and it was erected in 2019 by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, sponsored by Fort Mill School District. [Review 52 of 2025 - 1241 in South Carolina - 23621 overall]

This marker on Union Street in Concord reminds us of the earlier days before there were paved…read moreroads, superhighways and rail networks connecting big and small cities. It reads, "Colonial trading route started in 17th century; extended from southern Va. to land of Catawba & Waxhaw Indians in N.C. Passed near this spot." Online, there is more information. " In North Carolina, the early history of the colony is replete with stories of the reliance by colonists upon Indian trade and trading routes, and the consequent establishment of villages where they engaged in bartering. Such routes were well known, well marked, and well trodden. The Occaneechi Path, stretching from Petersburg, Virginia, to the Waxhaws region, was one of a hundred such trails running throughout the state and the southeast. But the Trading Path was the central highway, the most fabled route, the interstate of its day. (Its course approximates that of Interstate 85.)" [Review 13173 overall, 490 of 2020.]

The marker is on the east side of the Bank of America stadium, inside the gates. You'll be able to…read moresee the marker from outside but probably not read it unless you have a ticket for a game. It points out what was here before it was a ballpark. The marker has the same text on both sides. It reads, "Good Samaritan Hospital. 1891-1961. Site of the first independent private hospital in North Carolina built exclusively for African Americans. Established by Jane Renwick Smedberg Wilkes of St. Peter's Episcopal Church. One of the oldest black hospitals then in operation in the U.S." In 1961, ownership was transferred to the City of Charlotte and the facility was renamed Charlotte Community Hospital. It continued operating until 1982, when it was converted into a rest home. Ultimately, in 1996, the building was demolished to make way for the stadium. [Review 518 of 2025 - 4118 in North Carolina - 24079 overall]

This marker is in Uptown Charlotte and looks like a regular North Carolina historical marker but it…read moreseems to be independent. It simply reads, "Second Ward School. 1923-1969. Site of the first public high school for Blacks in Charlotte-Mecklenburg." At the bottom, it indicates that it was erected by Second Ward School Alumni. Second Ward High School was opened in 1923 in Charlotte, North Carolina, as the city's first public high school for African Americans. During a time of segregation, the school provided respect and safety, and was considered the heart of the neighborhood. The school was subsequently closed in 1969, when the neighborhood was demolished during urban renewal. [Review 516 of 2025 - 4116 in North Carolina - 24077 overall]

My favorite state for hiking, fishing and skiing. There are five cities that bare the true North…read moreCarolina local flavor which include Maggie Valley, Blowing Rock, Boone, Charlotte and Asheville. So many family trips to NC. There are so many historic landmarks but never really visited any. Most of the flights out of Fort Lauderdale or Miami go directly into Asheville airport hub. If you are scared to fly, the drive will be a brutal thirteen hours trek although once you get into the Smokey Mountains you may never want to leave after witnessing the view. There are three major colleges in North Carolina: North Carolina Sate Univ, UNC Charlotte and University of NC Chapel Hill.