Richmond County takes its name from Charles Lennox, 3rd Duke of Richmond--a staunch advocate for…read morethe American colonists during the Revolutionary era. Lennox was notable for his vocal opposition to British military presence in the colonies and his support for colonial self-governance. The county itself was formally established in 1779, and by 1780, Rockingham had been designated as the first county seat, anchoring the region's civic identity in a time of profound transformation. The current Richmond County Judicial Center presents a distinctly modern architectural profile, blending red brick, glass, and concrete in a clean, contemporary composition. Its most visually commanding feature is the northeast corner entrance, where vertical glass panels soar uninterrupted to the fourth story, creating a dramatic sense of openness and institutional transparency. Along the east elevation, a series of projecting sections add depth and rhythm to the façade, while the flat roofline is crisply defined by two horizontal belt courses that lend a subtle visual punctuation to the building's silhouette. These design choices reflect a deliberate shift toward clarity and accessibility in civic architecture. Inside, the Judicial Center serves as the home of the County Superior Court and County District Court for North Carolina's 16th Judicial District, which encompasses Richmond, Anson, Robeson, and Scotland counties. Its construction marked a pivotal moment in the county's legal infrastructure, replacing the historic courthouse across the street with a facility designed to meet contemporary needs while honoring the region's legal and architectural heritage. The transition from classical revival to modernist design underscores Richmond County's commitment to progress, even as it continues to respect and preserve its historical foundations. [Review 1332 of 2025 - 4451 in North Carolina - 24884 overall]

Scotland County, named for the country of Scotland in the British Isles, was established in 1889…read morewith Laurinburg chosen as its county seat. The original courthouse, completed in 1901, stood as a symbol of civic pride until its demolition in 1964, when it was replaced by the current structure. The design is a reflection of mid-century architectural sensibilities. It is a one-story building constructed of buff-colored brick and concrete, embodying the mid-20th-century emphasis on functionality, simplicity, and accessibility. Its west-facing entrance is defined by a tall canopy supported by two square brick pillars, offering a sheltered, processional approach. Large square projecting corners and broad arched windows lend visual rhythm and soften the building's otherwise rectilinear form, balancing utility with understated grace. Inside, the courthouse serves as home to the County Superior Court and County District Court of North Carolina's 16th Judicial District, which includes Scotland, Anson, and Richmond counties. The main courtroom, located on the east side, features a spacious and practical layout consistent with the era's preference for clarity over ornamentation. Though modest in scale, the building continues to anchor Laurinburg's civic landscape, quietly affirming the county's commitment to accessible justice and public service. I found street parking nearby. This was a quick visit - it's not a very fancy or refined structure. [Review 1336 of 2025 - 4455 in North Carolina - 24888 overall]

Anson County is named for George, Lord Anson, who was a celebrated English admiral and who…read morecircumnavigated the globe in 1740 to 1744. The county was created in 1749, and Mount Pleasant was selected as the county seat in 1750. In 1785, the county seat was moved to Wadesboro. This building was completed in 1913 and is the fifth to serve as the county courthouse. It is a two-story buff-colored brick and concrete structure. The front is a monumental Doric portico, with four fluted columns supporting a wide entablature and frieze. The second-story windows are recessed and arched, and a projecting cornice runs beneath the roofline, giving the building a stately, balanced appearance. It is a Classical Revival architecture and conveys order and permanence. Half of the original Confederal Soldiers monument remains with the soldier having been removed. The other inscriptions point to the Confederate cause, listing the specific regiments and companies from Anson County that served in the war. There is also a non-Civil War memorial listing names of those lost from Anson County who served in World War I, World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Two plaques next to the entrance, one listing "the negro men of Anson County who went forth at the call of their country" and the other with just "the men and women of Anson County." So there's that. [Review 1310 of 2025 - 4445 in North Carolina - 24862 overall]

This community was named for Blenheim Palace in England, home of the Duke of Marlborough, for whom…read moreMarlboro County is said to have been named. Formerly called Mineral Spring or Spring Hill for the mineral springs 1/2 mile east, Blenheim traces its origin to wealthy planters who built summer homes in this healthy locality during the ante-bellum period.

This marker is located just east of the city of Rockingham on US-1 opposite a gas station. It…read morepoints out some Civil War history that happened here. The marker reads, "Sherman's March. Kilpatrick's Cavalry, a part of Sherman's Army, marching from Savannah to Goldsboro, passed through Rockingham on March 7-8, 1865." Online, there is more information. "In late 1864, Union General William T. Sherman began moving his forces, some 60,000 battle-hardened soldiers strong, northward from Atlanta to "divide the Confederacy in two." The plan was to march the Union forces through Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina in order to squeeze Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee in Virginia between Sherman's men to the south and those of General Ulysses S. Grant to the north. Along the way, Sherman hoped to disrupt Confederate supply lines and break the will of southerners on the home front. This "total war" assault on civilians - women and children included - by Union forces was a break from traditional warfare that had, up until this time, focused largely on military targets." "In Georgia and South Carolina Sherman's men freely plundered their surroundings as they marched, leaving whole towns in ashes. As they approached North Carolina, Sherman's forces were divided into separate divisions or corps. They traveled across the state to protect each other's flanks, forage for supplies and to spread their influence throughout the state." "Sherman's army entered North Carolina in stages, with one contingent entering the state in modern-day Richmond County. A portion of General Judson Kilpatrick's cavalry unit entered Richmond County on the March 7 and engaged Confederate troops under the command of Matthew Butler in Rockingham. Kilpatrick's troops returned the next day and destroyed a cotton factory and a shipment of firearms before destroying track, rails and other equipment of the nearby Wilmington, Charlotte, and Rutherfordton Railroad." [Review 15461 overall, 965 of 2021, number 3005 in North Carolina.]

Everybody had to be born somewhere, so who would have guessed that jazz great John Coltrane was…read moreborn here in Hamlet NC? This marker reads, "John Coltrane, 1926-1967. Jazz saxophonist and composer; influential stylist. Work spanned bebop to avant garde. Born one block southwest." Online, the essay provides more information. "In his book The Making of Jazz: A Comprehensive History, James Lincoln Collier wrote that "the history of jazz is filled with names of musicians who have been extravagantly admired. . . . But no jazz musician has ever received the extreme adulation visited on John Coltrane."" "John Coltrane was born on Bridges Street in Hamlet. The building has recently been restored and now houses the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and several businesses. It bears a small cornerstone noting the fact of his birth." "After high school Coltrane moved to Philadelphia where he attended music school. He made his professional debut in 1945 and collaborated with Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, and Miles Davis in milestone recordings before forming his own group in 1960. In the years before his death at age forty, he "achieved the rare feat of establishing avant garde jazz, temporarily, as popular music," according to critic Martin Williams. One measure of Coltrane's significance is the fact that he has been the subject of at least four biographies." If you haven't heard John Coltrane lately, https://youtu.be/UlFNy9iWrpE and https://youtu.be/r594pxUjcz4. [Review 13958 overall, 1280 of 2020, round number 2600 in North Carolina.]

Thankfully, the Confederate Monument was removed from the entrance to the Anson County Courthouse…read morein Wadesboro, NC back in 2020. What remains is a granite monument to the Confederate flag. I'm not sure why that was kept. In front of the Courthouse is a memorial to WWI; WWII; Korean War and Vietnam Veterans. The courthouse has two bronze plaques on the outside of the courthouse one for African American soldiers and another for the white men and women who served in WWI. Pinwheels were in the lawn for child abuse prevention.

Anson County doubles down on the Confederate Memorial debate by having not one, but two memorials…read moreon the grounds of the Anson County Courthouse in Wadesboro. Wadesboro is the county seat of Anson County and the largest city in the county. Anson County was formed in 1750 as part of Bladen County. It is named for Baron George Anson, a British admiral, who circumnavigated the globe from 1740 to 1744, and later became First Lord of the Admiralty and purchased land in the state. The first monument was installed in 1906 and is a all, multi-tiered white granite base and column which used to support a bronze Confederate Common Soldier that was removed in 2020. An ornate, darker granite section rests on top of the first three tiers of the base, and the four sides of this darker granite face are inscribed. Each corner of this section is framed by a Roman-style column, capped with acanthus leaves. "By this monument we / translate our homage / for the soldiers of / Anson County / who served in the war / between the government / and the Confederate / states." Means business there. The second monument is lower and stands to the right. More of a memorial than a tribute, it has the Confederate flag at the top and a long poem. "Not long ago, unfurled was I known for fate was against me but I flashed over a pure cause and on land and sea, so fired the hearts of men unto heroism the the world honors me, within my folds, the dead who died under them, lie nobly shrouded and my tattered colors crowded with a thousand shining victories have become the people who loved me, a glorified memory." Welcome to the South, y'all! [Review 15455 overall, 959 of 2021, number 2999 in North Carolina.]

I learned about this gem at the Hamlet Depot and was even provided driving directions. It could be…read moreeasy to miss if you aren't looking for it as it is on the back of a building. It is at the intersection of Vance and Raleigh Streets. I did spot it driving by but had to go turn around to find somewhere to park. Coltrane was born in Hamlet, NC and later moved to High Point, NC. This large mural was created to honor him in 2020. The artist Scott Nurkin did an amazing job with the black and white mural. It is huge at 60 feet by 27 feet. The mural is fitting to pay tribute to the jazz legend.