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]

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!

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]

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!

Being born and raised in SoCal this was a cool place to stop. My friend who recently moved nearby…read morefrom California had seen the sign to this place but hadn't had the chance to visit yet. So off to the bridge we go. It was not far from the freeway. We were the only ones in the park on this overcast, hot and humid day. We weren't sure how far we had to hike to the bridge and the map at the kiosk was a bit faded so it made it difficult to figure out. After doing one loop we looked at the map and went the opposite direction. Thankfully there wasn't much bug activity going on. Not sure if it's because put on bug repellent on before our trek. Anyway, we found it! It wasn't even a mile to the bridge. We were glad we didn't give up and made it to this cool bridge. It's historic and also one of the last covered bridges in NC. It's beautiful here, plenty of lush trees. The have signs and info along the path. My friend said that schools plan field trips to visit here. The bridge is sadly covered with graffiti but if you can look past that you will see the beauty of the bridge and imagine yourself in the time it was built. There is quite a few parking spaces and a covered seating area. It's worth stopping to check out.

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

I noticed the historical marker before I spotted this classic historic house and pulled in…read more Unfortunately, the museum was closed today but I did manage to examine the house from a few angles and it is pretty cool. I will need to come back when I can tour the museum properly. The marker reads, "Mundy House. Built between 1850 and 1870 by descendants of a Revolutionary War soldier and Methodist minister Jeremiah Mundy (1760-1835); One of the founding families of the Rock Springs Methodist Camp Meeting grounds in Denver; The R.O. Mundy family owned the property until the 1990s; Gravesites at the Denver Community Cemetery and Bethel United Methodist Church." The Mundy House is one of the few remaining historic houses in eastern Lincoln County, and it stands a local landmark that documents the history of the Mundy family and the development of Denver during the nineteenth century. The Mundy House is a central-hall house that maintains much of its original architectural integrity. It represents a house form that was ubiquitous in the county during the last half of the nineteenth and first decade of the twentieth century, but nearly all of these houses have fallen into disrepair by abandonment and neglect or have been substantially altered with artificial siding, replacement windows, and unsympathetic modern additions. Preservation of the Mundy House is necessary for educating people about local history, historic preservation, and architecture. [Review 15905 overall - 3121 in North Carolina - 1410 of 2021.]

This marker is along the busy roadway and is in front of a car dealer near an intersection. You can…read morepark there to view the marker. It reads, "Mathias Barringer. c. 1730-1776. Militia captain killed during Revolutionary War. First session of Catawba County court, 1843, met in family home nearby." There is no number or information on who erected it. It does not appear in the state's historical marker database. Barringer was a German-born pioneer and militia leader who played a key role in early North Carolina settlement and defense during the Revolutionary War. He was killed in an ambush by Cherokee forces near Morganton, North Carolina, in the summer of 1776. in Stuttgart, Germany, Mathias Barringer immigrated to America in 1748 with his siblings after the death of their parents during the voyage. His brother, John Paul Barringer, had settled earlier in Pennsylvania and later moved to North Carolina, where Mathias joined him. The family initially lived in Cabarrus County before Mathias ventured west of the Catawba River, eventually settling in what is now Burke County. He received a land grant in 1764 for 640 acres that included his homestead improvements, and he built a sturdy log cabin and later a larger home with the help of enslaved labor. Barringer became a respected figure in his community and was elected captain of the local militia. He was also active in the Rowan County Committee of Safety, a group formed in response to British oppression. His leadership extended to frontier defense, particularly during rising tensions with Native American tribes. Barringer's death was deeply felt in the region. His wife, Margaret Bushart Barringer, is said to have sensed his passing from afar, claiming she heard him groan at the moment of the ambush. A monument at the Old Newton Courthouse commemorates Barringer and the others who died in the attack, honoring their sacrifice during a pivotal moment in the Revolutionary War. [Review 1194 of 2025 - 4379 in North Carolina - 24746 overall]

About a week ago I called the MPD to report seeing 2 cars with identical rear license plates on…read morethem. The plates were Texas plates, and Texas requires a plate on the front and the back of any vehicle. The person who took my call and my contact information said someone from MPD would call me back shortly. In a while a "wireless caller" called me, confirmed who I was, and basically had me repeat what I'd told the original person at MPD. He said he would "check it out" and "get back to me with any questions". Never heard another word, and the 2 vehicles are now parked side by side at 107 Chase Water in Mooresville (28117). The picture below shows the 2 cars and the 2 identical plates. MPD was very unprofessional and apparently didn't do anything.

over the several years we've lived around here I've had the opportunity to talk to the police on…read moreseven or twelve occasions and while it hasn't always been fun we've never a bad exchange. we had a couple officers out to dispatch a rabid animal one weekend when animal control wouldn't send a tech in a truck. before that we had officers show up with hands on their holsters asking for names and addresses and what are we doing in stern tones and insisting we move verrry slowly when producing identification after I'd accidently leaned on the alarm button. another time a half dozen vehicles came down the street with all the lights on looking for a fellow who had recently committed an armed robbery; we were told rather abruptly to get inside and stay there until the situation got resolved - not super polite but appropriate to the situation... other interactions include questions about street parking, overtaking liquor-sickles, noise ordinances, other parking, the posting of private property to deter unwanted and unwelcome visitors and stuff like that... so yeah, it's hard enough dealing with the criminal element and the willfully ignorant so how about we all just try to get along..?