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]

This marker stands near the original site where the event took place. It has the same text on both…read moresides, reading , "Four black student-teachers from Unity High School led integration efforts at Woolworth's lunch counter, here, on March 15, 1960." It is marker number 41 and it was erected in 2025 by the NC African American Heritage Commission, William G. Pomeroy Foundation. In early 1960, downtown Statesville, like many cities in the South, still had segregated lunch counters, including the one inside Woolworth's on West Broad Street. Students at the black high school here in Statesville has been following the Greensboro sit-ins* closely. They walked into Woolworth's, sat down at the whites-only counter and asked to be served. They were refused, as expected, but they remained seated, calm, and orderly. Store management closed the counter rather than serve them, which was a common tactic used across the South. The students stayed long enough to make their point, then left without incident. No arrests were made, and the protest remained peaceful. [Review 591 of 2026 - 4680 in North Carolina - 25772 overall] * That lunch counter is on display at the Smithsonian in Washington!

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]

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 Bunker Hill Covered Bridge, was built in 1895, it is one of the last covered bridges in the…read morestate and the only one still in its original spot. The construction is using a unique lattice pattern made of wooden beams. Stretching 85 feet across Lyle Creek, its red, weathered look makes it a beautiful and peaceful place to visit. It is worth a stop if you are in the area, but it is very unfortunate that people have taken something historical to tag it with graffiti over the years.

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!

"We the People..."…read more These three words hit a little harder when you're standing in front of the Charters of Freedom installation at the Historic Burke County Courthouse in Morganton. They're the opening to the document that defines who we are as a country and seeing them displayed right here in front of a courthouse where laws were once interpreted and enforced feels exactly right. These installations always impress me, but this one has an extra layer of meaning because of the setting. This two-century-old courthouse has that solid, dignified presence and the replicas of the Declaration, Constitution and Bill of Rights fits the space like they were meant to be here from the beginning. I've visited a handful of these Charters of Freedom sites and every time I am struck by how accessible and respectful they are. You can walk right up, read the text, and take a moment to appreciate the ideas that make America America. And even though the current judicial center is a few blocks away, the symbolism still works. Maybe it works even better. This is the historic courthouse, the one that watched generations of life unfold, and having the founding documents here feels like a bridge between the past and the principles that still guide us. It also creates an interesting counterpoint to the nearby Confederate soldier monument. The two pieces sit within sight of each other, but they tell very different stories. One is about the nation's founding ideals and the rights guaranteed to everyone. The other reflects a specific chapter of Southern memory and the complicated history that comes with it. Standing between them, you can feel the conversation of how public spaces hold multiple layers of history at once. And that's part of what makes this installation worth stopping for. [Review 547 of 2026 - 4642 in North Carolina - 25729 overall]

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!