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]

This marker is located in the downtown core of Newton NC and recalls a Civil War resident. The…read moremarker is in excellent condition and there is street parking nearby. The marker reads, "M. L. McCorkcle, 1817-1899. Superior Court judge; a founder of Catawba College; state senator & Confederate colonel. His home stood here." Online, there is more information. " Matthew L. McCorkle, judge and community leader, was born in 1817 in a section of Lincoln County that had been annexed to become part of the new Catawba County in 1842. McCorkle's family had long lived in the region and his grandfather was a distinguished Revolutionary War hero. McCorkle was first educated at home and graduated from Davidson College in 1843. After graduation, McCorkle studied law under Chief Justice Richmond Pearson and was licensed to practice in 1844. He then moved to Catawba as the county's first lawyer and was elected Clerk of Superior Court from 1846-1850. McCorkle was instrumental in the creation of Newton as the new county seat of Catawba and served as mayor and town commissioner at various times." "As soon as the Civil War began, McCorkle volunteered and organized a company of troops for the Confederacy, becoming the unit's captain. They traveled to Virginia to fight in many of the campaigns in that state. His health failed him and he was forced to return home and then organized a local guard, in which he attained the rank of colonel. After the war, he was elected multiple times to represent Catawba County in the legislature as both a representative and senator. He was appointed a Superior Court judge in 1890 and served in that position until his death." "One of his principal achievements was his involvement in the creation of Catawba College in Newton through his activity within the Reformed Church. He served the school's chairman of the trustees board until his death. The school had been chartered in 1852. McCorkle is credited as the driving force behind the creation of the school through his fundraising efforts and political connections. The school remained in Newton until 1923 when it moved to its present location in Salisbury. McCorkle died in 1899 and was buried at East View https://www.yelp.com/biz/eastview-cemetery-newton?hrid=1315Z10tFjAqwtP5jYX1DQ cemetery in Newton." [Review 15898 overall - 3114 in North Carolina - 1403 of 2021.]

This black historical marker stands in front of the elementary school but it points out what was…read morehere before it was that. The marker reads, "Startown School. Founded 1904. First graded school in what is now City of Newton. From 1914 to 1931 was site of Startown Farm Life School, an innovative state-supported high school integrating agriculture and home economics in curriculum. Continues as an elementary school." There is plenty of information on the current elementary school. There is very little information on the old Startown school. [Review 15925 overall - 3140 in North Carolina - 1430 of 2021.]

This historical marker was installed by the city rather than the state. It reads, "Central High…read moreSchool. African-American high school grew out of an 1899 one-room schoolhouse. In 1924 the school was enlarged and named Snow Hill Graded School. Grades 8 & 9 were added in 1934, and it became a full high school in 1936, renamed Central High School. In addition to Newton, it served students from all areas of Catawba County except Hickory. In 1967 Central High School merged with Newton-Conover High School. Located 1/4 mile north." Interesting. [Review 12721 overall, 33 of 2020.]

The current Burke County Justice Center is a modern judicial facility designed with contemporary…read morefunction and completed in 1975. It is a single story buff-colored brick building in the center of Morganton on grounds that have a number of veterans and war memorials. This is the third courthouse to serve the county. Burke County was created in 1777 and Morganton has been the county seat ever since. The county was named for Thomas Burke, who was a member of the Continental Congress and governor of North Carolina. Morganton was named for Brigadier General Daniel Morgan, a hero of the American Revolutionary War. The justice center has street parking in front and it is located a short walk from the historic 1835 courthouse. [Review 543 of 2026 - 4638 in North Carolina - 25725 overall]

The Charters of Freedom monument is located on the north side of the Historic Burke County…read moreCourthouse in Downtown Morganton, NC. The Morganton Charters of Freedom were the first of many placed outside of Washington, D.C. The three limestone and concrete pedestals hold the bronze life-size replicas of the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Burke County residents Vance and Mary Jo Patterson gifted this to the community with their non-profit Foundation Forward. They wanted to duplicate what they experienced seeing and reading the documents in Washington, D.C., for their community, knowing that most people wouldn't get an opportunity to see the documents in Washington, D.C., but still could get to learn about them and see them in person. Having the documents near the Sam J Ervin Jr. Memorial is fitting, as "Senator Sam" spent his entire legal and congressional life defending the Constitution. He was the go-to authority in the Senate whenever a complex constitutional question came up. The Charters of Freedom also hold a time capsule that will be opened on the 300th Anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution, September 17, 2087. They put letters from government officials, historians, educators and the Pattersons, among other tributes America is the land of the free and the home of the brave as long as the words contained in the documents are understood and upheld.

"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]

This marker was installed by the City of Newton rather than the State of North Carolina so it looks…read moredifferent. It reads, "Wilson Warlick. 1892-1978. Judge of United States District Court, 1949-1978, NC Superior Court Judge, 1931-1949, first chairman of NC Probation Commission and WWI veteran. Home stands 100 yards east." Online, there is more information. Judge Warlick was born here in Newton NC and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Catawba College in 1911 and a Backelow of Laws from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1913. He was in private practice of law in Newton from 1913 to 1930. He was a Judge of the Superior Court for the 16th Judicial District of North Carolina from 1931 to 1949. Warlick was nominated by President Harry S. Truman on January 13, 1949, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina vacated by Judge David Ezekiel Henderson. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 31, 1949, and received his commission on February 2, 1949. He served as Chief Judge from 1961 to 1962 and from 1966 to 1968. Warlick assumed senior status on June 24, 1968 and served in that status until his death on January 30, 1978. The marker is in front of the Catawba County Government Center. [Review 12719 overall, 31 of 2020.]

This roadside marker recalls the early days of the American Revolution. There is a small spot to…read morestop at the side of the road, and nearby is the restored house. The marker reads, "Rendezvous for "Over-Mountain Men" prior to Battle of Kings Mountain, 1780. Home to Joseph & Charles McDowell, military & political leaders." Online there is more information. "Joseph and Margaret O'Neil McDowell moved from Winchester, Virginia, to the North Carolina backcountry about 1765, settling on land that that had long been called Quaker Meadows. West of modern Morganton, Quaker Meadows was in Rowan County (Burke after 1777). The name "Quaker Meadows" appears in the writings of Moravian Bishop August Gottlieb Spangenberg in 1752 and is believed to be an allusion to the camp of a Quaker fur trader." "At the resulting Battle of Kings Mountain, Charles consigned his troops to his brother, who played a decisive role. Joseph McDowell also took part in the Battle of Cowpens in January 1781. Both brothers went on to serve their state in the political arena--both serving in the state legislature and the Constitutional Conventions, and Joseph serving two terms in Congress as well." [Review 13447 overall, 766 of 2020.]