This marker is located adjacent to the new Union County Courthouse building and is in very good…read morecondition. There is street parking nearby. The marker reads, "David F. Houston. Secretary of Agriculture and later of the Treasury under Wilson. College president and author. His birthplace stood 60 yards north." Online, there is more information. "Author, university administrator, U.S. cabinet official, and businessman David Franklin Houston had his beginnings in Union County. Houston was born in Monroe on February 17, 1866, the youngest child of William Henry and Cornelia Anne Stevens Houston. His family left North Carolina for Darlington, South Carolina, in 1872. He graduated from the College of South Carolina in 1887 and after a year of graduate school, served as superintendent of public schools in Spartanburg, South Carolina. From there he went on to receive a Masters of Arts from Harvard University in 1892." "Woodrow Wilson appointed Houston to the post of Secretary of Agriculture in 1913. The legacy he created while serving in that position derived from his work to change the department of agriculture's emphasis on bolstering production to one of improving marketing, prices, and distribution of products. He served as Secretary of the Treasury from February 1920 to March 1921 and then was elected chairman of the Federal Reserve Board. In 1924 he was mentioned as a potential Democratic candidate; however, Houston was ready to end his political career." "Out of politics Houston stayed involved in the corporate world and in education. He was president of Bell Telephone Securities Company and financial vice-president of American Telephone & Telegraph Company from 1921 to 1927. From 1927 to 1940 he was president of Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. Meanwhile he served as a member of the Board of Overseers of Harvard and as a trustee of Columbia University. David Franklin Houston died on September 2, 1940, and was buried in New York's Cold Spring Harbor Memorial Cemetery. [Review 15440 overall, 944 of 2021, number 2987 in North Carolina.]

This marker is located along Charlotte Ave near the Gateway Park. The marker points out the nearby…read morebirthplace of an important jurist. The marker reads, "John J. Parker, 1885-1958. Chief judge, United States Fourth Circuit, 1931-58; alternate member, Nuremberg tribunal, 1945-46. He was born one block southeast." Online, there is more information. "John Johnston Parker, jurist, was born in Monroe to John and Frances Parker. His brother Samuel I. Parker was a decorated hero of World War I. At the University of North Carolina (B.A., 1907; law degree, 1908), young Parker was a student government leader and prize-winning orator. After one year of practice in Greensboro, he returned to his hometown where he married Maria Moffitt in 1910. In that same year, at age twenty-four, Republican Parker ran for a U.S. House seat." "In 1925 Parker was appointed judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, comprising North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. During his thirty-two years as an appellate judge, Parker heard over 4,000 arguments and wrote opinions in approximately 1,500 cases." "In 1945, Parker was named the alternate judge for the United States in the Nuremberg war crimes trials. (Each of four nations--the U.S., the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union--sent a judge, an alternate, and a prosecutor.) Parker believed that his role at Nuremberg was to insure that the trial was conducted in a manner acceptable to members of the American bar." "Judge Parker was long active in professional organizations. In addition, he was the recipient of several honorary degrees, a UNC trustee from 1921 to 1958, and a member of state constitutional conventions in 1931 and 1958. A devout Episcopalian, he was chairman of Billy Graham's 1957 Charlotte Crusade. At his death he was the senior appellate judge in the nation. He is buried in Charlotte." [Review 15448 overall, 952 of 2021, number 2995 in North Carolina.]

Union County was carved from Mecklenburg and Anson counties in 1842, its name chosen as a political…read morecompromise. Democrats favored Andrew Jackson, Whigs leaned toward Henry Clay, and so they settled on 'Union' to reflect cooperation. Two years later, Monroe was incorporated as the county seat and named in honor of President James Monroe. The historic courthouse, completed in 1886, is a fine example of Late Victorian civic architecture. Its symmetrical two-story brick façade features a five-bay central block flanked by two-bay wings, all topped by a low hip roof and a commanding cupola that still defines the skyline of downtown Monroe. In 1922, two three-bay wings were added to the north and south, carefully designed to preserve the building's original balance and style. More than just a handsome structure, the courthouse has stood witness to pivotal chapters in Union County's story from Reconstruction-era governance to civil rights-era legal battles. It remains a proud and enduring symbol of the county's civic life. [Review 1307 of 2025 - 4442 in North Carolina - 24859 overall]

Professional court facility and staff. One of the best in North Carolina.read more

Standing in front of the courthouse, this marker points out a World War I instance of note. Like…read moremost North Carolina markers, the text is brief but there is more information online. It has the same text on both sides. It reads, "Ferdinand Foch. Commander-In-Chief of Allied armies, 1918, made a speech at the Union County Courthouse, on December 9, 1921." In the speech, he praised America's role in the war and was joined by Governor Cameron Morrison and former Governor Thomas Bickett. Foch had recently participated in the groundbreaking of the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City alongside Vice President Calvin Coolidge. Known for his prophetic criticism of the Treaty of Versailles, Foch returned to Europe in 1922 and was later buried at Les Invalides in Paris beside Napoleon Bonaparte. [Review 1308 of 2025 - 4443 in North Carolina - 24860 overall]

This marker in downtown Monroe is located close to the courthouse. There is some street parking…read morenearby. The marker is in excellent condition. It reads, "T. Walter Bickett. Governor, 1917-21, first in state nominated by a Democratic primary. N.C. Attorney General, state legislator. Birthplace was 50 feet north." Online, there is more information. "To Thomas W. Bickett, the first North Carolina governor to reach the office by way of a statewide party primary, fell the task of leading the state through World War I. The "War Governor" (one of several Tar Heel Chief Executives to share that nickname) was born on February 28, 1869, in Monroe to druggist Thomas Winchester Bickett and his wife, the former Mary Covington." "In 1906, Bickett was elected to represent Franklin County in the state House. In his single term he made his mark as the sponsor of the "Bickett Bill," which set aside a half-million dollars to fund land purchases and building construction to facilitate care for the mentally handicapped. At the Democratic convention in Charlotte in 1908 Bickett drew acclaim for his speech nominating Ashley Horne for governor and was himself nominated for attorney general." "In his inaugural address in 1917 Bickett laid out a set of recommendations with attention given to moving farmers from tenancy to land ownership, to the importance of agricultural education, to the need for telephones in all rural homes, to an increase of the school term from four to six months, to the need for increased spending on public health, and to prison and hospital reform. Bickett's initiatives met remarkable success with the legislature adopting forty of forty-eight proposals during his term." [Review 15438 overall, 942 of 2021, number 2985 in North Carolina.]

Del Webb library is cozy and quaint, in other words, it's small but the librarians give their heart…read moreand soul into their work. You can see the passion they have for this library and the many patron who come here. When you're here it seems like a vestige back in time, no it's not modern, no there's not a big selection of books but it suits the patrons who tend to be seniors. Del Webb library is located near Sun City in Indian Land, which makes sense. There is a nice adult section, history section, young adult and children's section. Another thing I love about this library is you can purchase gently used books that others have donated. The price range is 25 cents to 4 dollars. If you take the time to browse, you'll likely find a great book to add to your collection. Also if there's a book you're looking for and they don't have it, they'll order from Amazon for you. Again, the staff here is wonderful and they more than make up for any short comings there may be.

Very nice library, the building is new, big, like the shopping center where it's situated. It has…read moreample parking, it's big inside, it has all you need, a great selection of books, movies on DVD-s, computers. It's quiet, clean, well organized. I love the small bookstore located inside, they sell gently used books, various genres, in good shape, prices are cheap. You can find a great bargain in here. I also like the Indian hand made baskets and pottery they have on display, great little exhibit. If you're in the area and you love books and movies, this is a great place, worth checking out.

My first time visiting any library in Union County, I previously lived in Meck county, and I was…read morepleasantly surprised. The staff was very courteous and the location was very nice and well stocked. They have tons of events for both kids and adults and a large selection of books and other media.

Cute, cozy library with a friendly and helpful staff. Has story time for the children as well as a…read morelittle corner for them to read and play. DVD and audiobooks are available as well as a marker section of newer books. Thankful to have a library in Indian Trail area!

I absolutely recommend!!! And I'm so glad we have a library back on the Southside…read more Ahem...Pineville!!! Just right across from my neighborhood. It's been a long time coming to see that area being put to great use. The library is huge, colorful and bright. It houses with the electric company as well. The library staff is nice and helpful; there's also monthly activities for the children. I did get me a new membership library card, there's also computers for us to use. This library was my tax dollars put to good use and I'm loving it!!!

I really enjoy the space here at the Pineville library not only is it convenient and in walking…read moredistance to downtown where you can explore different shops and restaurants but the Pineville library offers options for all ages. They have a great selection of books as well as enough private rooms that you can book. The people that work here are always so friendly and that goes a long way too.