This marker is in front of a mixed-use building that has some retail at the ground floor and…read moreapartments/condos on the upper floors. There are some street parking spaces and the Gold Line goes past. The marker reads, "D.A Tompkins. 1851-1914. Crusader for southern industrial development, manufacturer, engineer, author, and publisher. Grave is 1/2 mile north." There is more information online. "Daniel Augustus Tompkins, industrialist and newspaper editor, was born in Edgefield District, South Carolina, on October 12, 1851 to Dewitt and Virginia Tompkins. Interested in engineering since his boyhood, Daniel entered the University of South Carolina in 1867, but shortly thereafter transferred to the Renssalear Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, where he graduated in 1873 with an engineering degree. "After graduation, Tompkins became a master machinist with Bethlehem Iron Works in Pennsylvania. The factory head, John Fritz, considered Tompkins one of the finest machinists in the industry, and sent him to Germany in 1877 to oversee the development of the Schwerte Iron Works. Following his return in 1879, Tompkins took a position with the Crystal Plate Glass Company of Crystal City, Missouri. Two years later, Tompkins moved to Charlotte as a machinist for the Westinghouse Machine Company. Soon thereafter, he began his own business, D. A. Tompkins Company, installing steam engines in the numerous cotton mills of western and central North Carolina. "By the late 1880s D. A. Tompkins Company had expanded operations to the construction of various mills and electric plants. By 1910, the organization had developed 250 cotton oil mills, 150 electric plants, and 100 cotton plants. Because of his success in the manufacturing industry, President William McKinley appointed him a member of the United States Industrial Commission. In addition, he served as a member of the board of trustees at what is now North Carolina State University and was instrumental in the development of the university's textile school. He also served as the director of Equitable Life Insurance. "Tompkins also understood the influence of mass media, and how he could use it to give voice to his industrial New South policies. Therefore, he obtained controlling interests in the Charlotte Daily Observer, the Charlotte Evening News, and Greenville (S.C.) News. Under the guise of several ghostwriters, Tompkins also produced a number of pamphlets and books such as Cotton Values in Textile Fabrics and History of Mecklenburg County from 1740 to 1903 (written by Charles Lee Coon). "Tompkins spoke out against compulsory public school, child labor legislation, and wage per hour regulation and sought to maximize profits and retain cheap labor in the southern mills. Tompkins retired from business in 1910, owing to poor health, and moved to his summer home in Montreat. He died of a paralytic condition on October 18, 1914, and was buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Charlotte. After the death of his fiancée in 1884, Tompkins never married and left no children." [Review 2550 of 2024 - 4002 in North Carolina - 23561 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]

I love the markers, Statues, the history I love the city of Charlotte, I want to go back.read more

Many not be aware of the city of Charlotte's history during the Revolutionary War. You know, the…read moreone with the British when we fought for independence? Well, right here in Uptown, a battle was fought with those British and caused the general to write in a letter back to London that Charlotte was "a hornet's nest of rebellion activity." The marker reads: "Cornwallis's army captured Charlotte after a fight here with Davie's troops, Sept. 26, 1780." Much more information is in the link above.

The employee who did our tour was very knowledgeable. And it was only $4. So just do it. I love…read morevisiting different historical places and learning about the times before. It's not a huge place but held a great deal of information. Definitely worth stopping in if you're in the area.

Being from the west coast, I don't get to see many historic places. So I look forward to my annual…read morevisit to the Chartlotte area where I can go a bit further back into US history. On my latest visit, I made my way to the James K. Polk State Historic Site. The site on which it is believed that President Polk was born. There is a museum inside and recreations of period cabins outside. Also a garden and interpretive signs telling a bit about the plants that can be seen around the museum grounds. This is a free site for the most part though you can opt for a guided tour that takes you into the buildings if you are so inclined. I was there late in the day and not long before closing so the tour was no longer being offered. It was still cool to walk around and see the grounds. History doesn't quite come alive here but it becomes more tangible.

This marker is located at the very center of Uptown Charlotte. It's easily accessible if you're on…read morefoot but there is limited parking near here. The marker points out an important hero of the American Revolution. It reads, "Nathanael Greene. 1742-1786. Replaced Horatio Gates as leader of American army opposing Lord Cornwallis. He assumed command in Charlotte, Dec. 3, 1780." It is marker number L-19 and it was erected in 1987 by the 1987 by Division of Archives and History. Major General Nathanael Greene, known as the Fighting Quaker, played a pivotal role in the American Revolution and has a direct connection to Charlotte. After General Horatio Gates suffered a devastating defeat at Camden in August 1780, Greene was appointed by George Washington to lead the Southern Army. He officially assumed command in Charlotte on December 3, 1780, where he found a struggling force of militia and Continental soldiers camped near what is now Camp New Providence*. Greene's leadership marked a turning point in the Southern campaign, and his strategic persistence helped drive British forces out of the Carolinas. His legacy is honored in North Carolina through sites like Camp Greene** in Charlotte and the city of Greensboro, both named in his memory. * Camp New Providence Historical Marker: https://www.yelp.com/biz/camp-new-providence-historical-marker-weddington?hrid=zYYZKedqE7ffaCLpA9OfXA ** Camp Greene Memorial https://www.yelp.com/biz/camp-greene-memorial-charlotte?hrid=9IWHxUmRQU90o774VJyGPA [Review 1424 of 2025 - 4495 in North Carolina - 24975 overall]

Camp Green was a US Army training camp here. In 1917, both the 3rd Infantry Division and the 4th…read moreInfantry Divisions were first organized and assembled at this camp. It was named for Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Green. Major General Greene was the Continental Army major general who forced the British out of the Carolinas. Charlotte was selected over other cities due to the land, weather, and infrastructure to accommodate a camp, as well as a location on a major rail line, giving the city a logistical edge in transporting soldiers and munitions to New York City for the eventual trip abroad. Camp Greene is a massive facility by early 20th-century standards. Its 2,500 acres of forest and cotton fields, bought from families like James Dowd, are eventually expanded to 6,000 acres, which stretch from the cusp of downtown, on what is now Wilkinson Boulevard, west to the Catawba River and Gaston County. There is plenty of room to dig five miles of trenches, to simulate the preferred method of ground combat in Europe. At its peak, more than 60,000 soldiers live on base. The 41st Infantry Division, which trains for 16 weeks, is the first to ship off to France as part of the American Expeditionary Force, followed by the 3rd and 4th Divisions. Today, the only camp remnants that survive are the Dowd family's farmhouse -- now designated as a historic site -- and a couple of rectangular barracks that are converted into permanent housing. And this marker at the corner of Wilkinson and Monument Street. The marker was erected by the Mecklenburg Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. It lists the names of the different brigades trained her and the dates, July 12 1917 to June 30, 1919. [Review 16684 overall - 3189 in North Carolina - 196 of 2022.]

Located in front of the Cleveland County Courthouse (now the Earl Scruggs Center) is this memorial…read moreto those who fought on the side of the Confederacy. As we all know, the Union ended up the victors of the war but the statue was still installed and remains in 2021. On top a granite base with engravings on multiple sides, "In honor of the Confederate Heroes of Cleveland County, 1861-1865. Lest we forget." and "Erected by the Daughters of the Confederacy, November 21, 1906" with a plaque below it, "Restored by the Cleveland Guards, Chapter #443 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, September 15, 1991." The statue is in excellent condition, depicting a moustached Confederate soldier in uniform, holding his rifle in ready position. Below him, "C.S.A." and a battle flag. [Review 14928 overall, 430 of 2021, number 2828 in North Carolina.]

A super interesting spot and I've had it bookmarked for years. I finally had enough time to stop…read morehere during normal hours on my way between Charlotte and Atlanta. Sadly, the museum is ONLY OPEN FOR INN GUESTS. So if you are wanting a tour of the Presidential Culinary Museum, you can book a stay on any of the various hoteling sites or direct with them. They were very polite when they turned me away today. [Review 670 of 2025 - 4153 in North Carolina - 24231 overall]

Disappointed that this venue is only open to people who stay there at the Inn…read more We just learned about it and though the gentleman was nice on the phone, he was firm in the fact that you have to be staying at his Inn. He has scheduled tours for guests. Maybe that is why he hasn't claimed the business. The one review here was 3 years ago, and now mine.