Dropped hubby off to head home. Clean, cool station with benches and a clean bathroom. Station is…read morenot manned. You have to buy your tickets on line here. Open hours limited.

When I come to North Carolina I can't help but think of vinegar and pepper, split pig and fire…read moreunderneath a glistening of pure mountain air, with whiskey and twilight where men still living pass the bottle and barbecue pigs under tin-roofed sheds with embers. Ahhh yes that's the Carolina I know and love, I have family here but most have passed away and have become a blue smoke in my memory. As I stepped out of my rented SUV after crossing the state line I couldn't help but think of the recent passing of my Uncle Al at 94 years - he was a man among men and bigger than life to all who knew him, he alone is North Carolina to me. This stop was solemn and sobering as I made my way to the interior of the welcome center for a moment of reflection and to warm my hands near the flickering fire burning against the far wall. The roped off stanchions guided me along the social distancing stickers plastered to the floor that appears to be everywhere in these times of uncertainty. The room was silence and bare since most don't dare venture into areas proclaimed to be of risk by those that govern us in fear of being exposed to a phantom virus that steals the souls of our loved ones like a thief in the night. A friendly voice breaks the silence, asking if I'd mind providing her with some information regarding my travel, her mask hid her welcoming smile as she typed my name on her electronic pad that replaced the pen and paper that I would of normally left my mark. It would of been so impersonal if it hadn't been for the joy in her eyes that peeped above the cloth that covered her face proving it's impossible to suppress the southern hospitality. Nothing can replace the face to face interactions of friends or strangers even from six feet apart...

Really nice welcome center. Lots of history and in on the TarHeel State…read more Stop and take a look around

Columbus County, named for the explorer Christopher Columbus, was established in 1808 with…read moreWhiteville chosen as the county seat. The first courthouse, a modest wood-frame structure, was built in 1809. It was replaced in 1852 by a two story brick building, which stood until the early twentieth century. The current courthouse, completed in 1914, is the third to occupy the same central location within Courthouse Circle. Each iteration has marked a step forward in the county's civic development, with the present building reflecting a more permanent and dignified architectural vision. The courthouse is designed in the Classical Revival style, with a commanding portico supported by four white Doric columns that rise to a triangular pediment at the roof. This central feature is flanked on both sides by matching extensions, each with four additional white Doric columns rising to horizontal headers. The windows are framed in white-painted wood, and vertical white bands run beneath the eaves, adding rhythm and contrast to the red brick façade. The hipped roof and symmetrical layout reinforce the building's sense of order and stability. It continues to serve as the County Superior Court and County District Court of the 13th Judicial District, maintaining its role as a cornerstone of civic life. Although there is no parking directly on the courthouse grounds, several lots are available around the outer perimeter of the circle. I had no trouble finding a spot and crossing to walk the grounds and take in the building's details. Through the front doors, I could see the familiar magnetometer and posted rules. No phones, no weapons. All as expected. The building still feels active and respected, a place where history and function meet. [Review 1342 of 2025 - 4461 in North Carolina - 24894 overall]

Bladen County is named for Martin Bladen, who was a member of the Board of Trade. The county was…read morecreated in 1739 and Elizabeth was selected as the county seat. The first courthouse was a wood structure built at Elizabeth on the Cape Fear River in 1738. The county seat became Elizabethtown in 1773. The courthouse burned in 1800 and the second courthouse was built in 1802. That courthouse burned in 1893. The third courthouse was built in 1893 and enlarged in 1925. The fourth and present courthouse was completed in 1966. The design reflects the clean lines and functional simplicity typical of mid-20th-century Modernism. The building features red brick and concrete construction, a flat roofline, and a white concrete façade at the central entrance. Narrow vertical windows line the second story, and the east and west wings are slightly lower than the central block, creating a balanced but understated profile. The courthouse grounds include memorials to veterans and eagles as symbolic guardians of justice as well as the Charters of Freedom display and one for Patriot spy Sallie Salter who was instrumental in the 1781 Battle of Elizabethtown during the American Revolution. There was easy parking this afternoon and while the courthouse itself was closed, it was easy to walk the grounds and appreciate this lovely structure. [Review 1341 of 2025 - 4460 in North Carolina - 24893 overall]

Okay first off- south of the border has a lot of billboard hype. We get our kids all pumped for our…read moretrips going in that direction. With that being said, it looks old and run down. This pantry is a great spot to grab snacks and drinks, go to the restroom and fill up on gas. It's the perfect quick stop to get what you need.

I know South of the Border is dated and everywhere looks like it has not seen cleaning products in…read moredecades but I think this shop is the worst that I have been into on the property. I have been in this particular store on the property several times throughout my visits to South of the Border. Almost every time I visited this store, there were at least ten people on line, waiting to pay. You can pay for gas, get snacks and drinks, souvenirs, and I believe lotto and cigarettes. The store is really not that enticing. It is dirty. The flooring is super old. There is dust on many of the items. The freezer items have like an inch of ice on them. The most recent visit into this store, I was looking for ice cream. It was after midnight and not much was open. I thought maybe they would have something decent in the freezer but I was wrong. I browsed a little and saw nothing that caught my eye so I left. If you are looking for decent quality, I would head to another store on the property.

Harmony Hall Plantation is located in White Oak, NC. The main house was built in 1768 by Colonel…read moreJames Richardson. He was a shipper and a Veteran of the French and Indian Wars. It is one of the oldest residences in the state. Local lore claims British General Cornwallis used the house as his headquarters and that Mrs. Richardson eavesdropped on his plans through a hole in the ceiling and sent a warning to General Greene, although historians say that Cornwallis likely stayed on the opposite side of the Cape Fear River. Today, the plantation is run by volunteers and has been made into a historic village. The main house has double porches and exterior stairs to get to the upper levels. The house sits a little higher as the area is prone to flooding and suffered damage from Hurricane Florence in 2018. Inside the house, there are hand-carved fireplaces and mantels. An event was happening while I was there, so it was harder to see the house. But I happened to be there for the birthday of Harmony Hall's Colonel James Richardson. They had volunteers showing trades and crafts from embroidery to wool and flax spinning to carpentry. They even had a Betsy Ross Birthday cake. Currently, only one building is open for viewing, the main house. You can walk the grounds and see several other historic buildings. These were moved to the site for preservation. There is a schoolhouse, a chapel, a country store, a corn crib, and a log cabin. Admission and parking are free, and a restroom is available. The operating hours have changed to 12-4pm on Sundays.

Robeson County is the largest county by land. The County has a large population with a Native…read moreAmerican background, as well as whites and African Americans. Lumberton is the largest city. The Lumbee Tribe is the largest Native American tribe east of the Mississippi River. It took until December 18th, 2025, for the Lumbee Fairness Act to be signed into law, which gave the tribe full federal recognition. In 1958, a large group of Lumbee Indians defeated the Ku Klux Klan in the Battle of Hayes Pond. Henry Berry Lowrie is a legendary figure of the Civil War. He led a group of outlaws against local authorities to protect the community from conscription and abuse by the Confederate Army. The University of North Carolina at Pembroke was founded back in 1887 to train Native American teachers. It was the only state-founded school of its kind in the nation. The Lumber River flows through the county and its parks, providing recreation areas. The river's blackwater is closely tied to the history and traditions of the area. The Lumbee people refer to themselves as the "People of the Dark Water." The Robeson County History Museum is located in a 1908 railway building, where you can learn about the county's history. If you stop by the county courthouse, you will see the controversial Confederate monument. It was dedicated in 1907, but times have changed. Robeson County has a vibrant culture and history of resistance.

Robeson County was established in 1787 and named for Colonel Thomas Robeson, a Revolutionary War…read moreofficer. Lumberton became the county seat the following year. The current courthouse is the fourth in the county's history, replacing earlier structures from 1787, 1828, and 1860. Architect Frank Pierce Milburn designed it. He is renowned for his work on public buildings throughout the Southeast, and I've reviewed several including the Wayne County Courthouse in Goldsboro, the Wise County Courthouse in Virginia, and the Boyd County Courthouse in Kentucky. This building is in the Modern Greek Revival style. It features red-orange course stone at the base, with polished stone and concrete on the upper stories. A remodel in the 1970s introduced a projecting glass bay with four square pillars rising to a pediment, flanked by square entrance sections with peaked roofs. The redesign softened the classical elements while preserving the building's civic presence. A further expansion in 2005 added a new façade and addition on the east side. Today, the courthouse houses the County Superior Court and County District Court for North Carolina's 16th Judicial District, which includes Robeson, Scotland, and Anson counties. It is on a central city block with an approach from 5th Avenue and it gives the building an almost royal approach. And yes, dominating that front step is a Confederate memorial. There is a free municipal lot nearby. [Review 1337 of 2025 - 4456 in North Carolina - 24889 overall]

This marker is on the main street a short distance from the center of Lumberton…read more The marker has the same text on both sides. It reads, "Angus W. McLean. Governor, 1925-1929, Assistant Secretary of the United States Treasury, 1920-1921. Home is 1 mile south, grave 100 yards northwest." It is marker number I-39 and it was erected in 1952 by the Archives, Conservation and Highway Departments. McLean was a North Carolina lawyer, banker, and businessman whose influence extended well beyond politics. Born here in Robeson County to a family of Scottish descent, he studied law at the University of North Carolina and began practicing in Lumberton in 1892. McLean quickly established himself in the legal and business community, serving as counsel for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and helping to found the Bank of Lumberton in 1897, the town's first bank. He also played a central role in developing the region's economy, organizing textile mills and promoting the construction of the Virginia and Carolina Railroad to connect Lumberton with St. Pauls, thereby boosting industrial and agricultural growth. His leadership was recognized in professional circles, and in 1917 he was elected president of the North Carolina Bar Association. Married to Margaret Jane French, with whom he had three children, McLean remained deeply engaged in civic and business affairs throughout his life, leaving a legacy as a builder of institutions and infrastructure in his home county. [Review 1477 of 2025 - 4512 in North Carolina - 25030 overall]