Ona corner in front of a gas station and Pizza Hut, this marker points out the success of a former…read moreslave who definitely went on to do great things. And let's keep in mind - this is the South! The marker reads, "Henry P. Cheatham. 1857-1935. Born into slavery. U.S. Congressman, 1889-1893. Superintendent of Colored Orphanage of N.C., 1907-1935. Grave 8/10 mi. northeast" Online, there is more information. "Born into slavery, Henry Plummer Cheatham represented North Carolina in Congress during the late nineteenth century and helped establish and lead the Colored Orphan Asylum in Oxford. A mulatto, Cheatham--the son of a house slave and her master--was born on December 27, 1857. His father appears to have shielded the young man from slavery and saw to his education. After the death of his father, Cheatham was encouraged by another white man, Robert A. Jenkins, to attend Shaw University in Raleigh. He graduated in 1882 with honors. Although he read law in the office of Robert E. Hancock Jr., Cheatham never practiced. Upon graduation he was appointed principal of the Plymouth Normal School, but his career in education was diverted by the call to politics. "In 1884 Henry Cheatham was elected Vance County Register of Deeds. Rising to prominence in the Republican Party, he became the party's nominee for Congress from the Second District in 1888. In that capacity Cheatham defeated the white incumbent Furnifold M. Simmons. He was reelected to the seat in 1890, but subsequent attempts were not successful. In 1896, in a bitter internal Republican Party race, he was defeated by his brother-in-law, George White. "President William McKinley appointed Henry Cheatham recorder of deeds for the District of Columbia, an office which he held from 1897 until 1901. Cheatham returned to his native North Carolina and, in 1907, became superintendent of the orphanage that he had helped to establish years earlier. Under his leadership the institution dramatically expanded and improved its facilities and programs. He served the orphanage until his death in 1935. Cheatham was married twice, to Louise Cherry who died in 1889, and to Laura Joyner. He had five children. Henry Cheatham is buried in Harrisburg Cemetery in Oxford." You can stop at the gas station to view the marker. [Review 2412 of 2024 - 3868 in North Carolina - 23425 overall]

Along a quiet stretch of US Highway 158 in front of a regal looking home, this marker points out…read morethe person after whom this city and another county were named. The marker reads, "Congressman. A State legislator and political leader. Died in 1828 at the age of 42. His home and grave are here." Online, there is more information. "Bartlett Yancey of Caswell County served as a Congressman and legislator before dying at the early age of forty-two. Yancey's goal was to be a United States Senator but was never realized. However, his skill as a lawyer and as a Congressman ensured his position in both the state and national political arena. Despite his death at a young age, Yancey contributed significantly to both his own Caswell County and to other parts of North Carolina, leading to the renaming of Yanceyville and the naming of Yancey County, both in 1833." This is marker G-18. It was erected in 1974 by the North Carolina Division of Archives and History. [Review 2479 of 2024 - 3933 in North Carolina - 23491 overall]

A fun roadside attraction! It's much bigger than I expected…read moreit to be but also don't expect a full-blown village. Lots of structures to look at with significant detail. Take your time and enjoy this special roadside attraction. Don't forget to sign the guest book in the mailbox.

Shangri-La Stone Village is in Prospect Hill, NC. It is near the volunteer fire department, so if…read moreyou can find that, you will see Shangri-La. Admission is free and there was not anywhere to leave a donation but they do have a notebook that you can sign in and share your thoughts. The notebook in the box was from April and there have been many visitors since then. The Village was created with stone from a local quarry. He quarried the stone himself. Henry Warren created this village when he was 72 back in 1968. He was battling cancer at the time. He was a retired tobacco farmer and created 27 buildings that are pretty tall, I'd guess 4-6 feet tall, out of stone. He selected each piece and constructed it all himself. He used white flint rock, quartz, brick, and cement to create this masterpiece. I like that he used other items in his work like door knobs, table legs, ceramic and glass. The art in the designs is remarkable. His workmanship needs to be applauded as his work is still standing after decades. The Village has a mill with water wheel, a school, a church, a theater, a water tower, a farmhouse, a doghouse, an outhouse, a motel, a general store, a jail, a library, a liquor store, and City Hall. He was working on the hospital when he died and his family completed that for him. He finished in 1972 and put up a plaque in the front that says, "Let me live in the house by the side of the road and be a friend to man." Visitors are welcome to tour his creation at any time and for free. Children who came to visit would leave toys to enjoy the village so it was fun to see who was living in the village. Warren died at 84 years old back in 1977 but left behind his work of love for all of us to still enjoy. So if you get a chance, stop by and enjoy his work and take in the whimsy and feel the magic.

This marker is located in front of the Masonic Home for Children and points out the currently…read moreoperating facility. There isn't really room to park but the wide driveway of the orphanage has space for a quick stop and photo. The marker reads, "Opened by Masons, 1873, with John H. Mills first head, in plant of St. Johns College, which they had operated, 1858-1861." Online, there is more information. "The Oxford Orphanage began when the statewide organization of Masons, the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, passed a resolution in 1847 indicating that a seminary of learning should be created to educate children, whether poor or rich, whether orphan or not. The committee assigned to create the school proposed that astronomy, natural philosophy, chemistry, geology, electricity and application to machinery, various processes of manufactures, metallurgy, natural history and engineering be taught. The Masons wanted the students at their school to have as good an education as could be attained anywhere in the nation. On June 24, 1855, the anniversary of the birth of St. John the Baptist, the cornerstone of St. John's College was laid. The building was completed in December 1857 and opened on July 13, 1858. From the outset the school was unsuccessful. The campus was offered to the state for use as a military school, but, during the war years, served only to house squatters or war refugees. "John H. Mills in December 1872 suggested that the school should be turned into an orphanage. Trustees accepted his proposal and the former St. John's College became the first permanent orphanage in North Carolina. Mills moved onto campus and remained in the post until 1884. In February 1873 the first orphans, Robert L. and Nancy Parrish and Isabelle Robertson, took up residence. In the first year of operation, the orphanage welcomed 136 children, 109 of whom remained at the close of the year. The name of the institution was changed in 1923 to Oxford Orphanage and, in 1994, to the Masonic Home for Children. In 2000 the home launched an ambitious campaign to attain state licensing, improve and expand services, and construct a set of new, handicapped-accessible one-story cottages." This is marker number G-7 and it was first cast in 1936. [Review 2129 of 2024 - 3797 in North Carolina - 23148 overall]

Oxford Orphanage gets and deserves a 5 STAR - GREAT rating. Why someone would give it a 3 star…read morerating shows just how low our humanity has sunken. Take my word for it. I grew up there over 40 years ago. I left with a good head on my shoulders and have made myself a wonderful and productive life. I am educated, upper middle class, contribute to the community and world I live in, treat everyone as with dignity and respect. I am an E-level manager in the corporate world as many of my former classmates are. Most importantly, I left there with a sense of purpose and am happy with life and live in the present. I'm 60 now, but will never forget my roots as Oxford Orphanage paved the way for me to live a life that is reflective of it's founders back in 1873. One of contribution, caring for my fellow human beings, and a drive to be the best I can be in this world. I encourage those at the now MHCO to do what I did. Dream the biggest dream you can....and go for it. God bless all the Masons of NC for creating this magnificent place to begin a wonderful journey. I left with 100 dollars and a new suitcase the evening I graduated and have built a rich life full of love and contribute to my church, community, fellow-man, and the world I live in. Yelp, please remove the 3 star rating left by Bruce K. He obviously doesn't have a soul. THANK YOU to all my counselors, teachers, and administrators that taught me the respect for humanity and to have a spine. Kindly, Eric Earle / Class of 1984

Easy access to this visitor center off highway. Nice place for stretch break and clean bathrooms.read more

This is a wonderful visitor center a bit off the highway. Clean restroom and lovely gift shop and…read moregarden- worth the stop!!

I wanted to make sure others got a different perspective of the Henderson, NC SSN office as my…read moreexperience was outstanding. From the security officer who was polite when I walked in to Ms Horne, who walked me through all of my questions. She was also very candid as to what services they can and cannot provide and I believe that is where a lot of frustration as a consumer comes in as they aren't able to assist with the general usage of the online website, which can be very confusing and frustrating to an end-user. As someone who had spent multiple hours on hold with the 800 number, it was refreshing to speak with a helpful, cordial person face-to-face!

Very unprofessional an rude the only person I've encountered here that is pleasent to deal with is…read moreMr Thomas. All his other staff members are VERY VERY VERY RUDE. If they don't like there jobs then they should go elsewhere. This type of business deals with customer service. If you can't deal with it or not a people person then find another profession.

The Teal Street Post Office is my favorite out of all the states and cities I've lived in. I…read moreactually enjoy going there. You walk in and no matter what day, what time the wait is no more than 5 minutes. They are quick, kind, efficient, pleasant, and professional. Breath of fresh air. Love this post office. It needs to be recognized for its fabulous staff! Additionally their carriers are fabulous as well. Delivering with a smile. Our street is one that they have to walk up to the house to deliver and rain, sleet, snow, shine, they are there with bells on. Love my post office!

This post office is right behind IHOP. It's a pretty large facility. They have a pretty extensive…read moreinventory of shipping supplies for sale. They even have greeting cards! There was only one person in line in front of me. There was another person being helped who was purchasing some things. They have a different cashier for that, which is nice. Everyone was very polite, and the place was well stocked, bright, and clean. 5 stars!

Located along Route 58, this marker points out some of the history of this highway from before the…read moreCivil War. There wasn't asphalt and pourable concrete back then so this is how it was done. The marker has the same text on both sides. It reads, "he Boydton and Petersburg Plank Road was built between 1851 and 1853 and was funded by stock bought by the state as well as the public. The all-weather toll road increased the transportation of crops to market and also carried stagecoach traffic between Boydton and Petersburg. The road was constructed of pine and oak planks eight feet long, one foot wide, and three to four inches thick laid across parallel beams, slanted slightly to improve drainage. A ten-foot-wide shoulder let vehicles pass each other. By 1860 the road, except for an 1856 extension to Clarksville, was declared unsafe, due to heavy wear, poorly suited untreated lumber, and the collapse of the Meherrin River Bridge." This is marker number UL-6 and it was erected in 2001 by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. There is room here to pull over to view the marker. [Review 2149 of 2024 - 1459 in Virginia - 23168 overall]