This marker is at a bend in the US Highway 29 and points out some postal history. Everything had to…read morebe first, this first happened here in China Grove. The marker reads, "Rural Free Delivery. The first mail over an R.F.D. route in N.C. was carried out of China Grove, October 23, 1896." The online essay has more information. It reads, "In 1896, following the initiatives of Postmaster General William L. Wilson, North Carolina developed a Rural Free Delivery (RFD) route for mail. Postal service via RFD included the delivery of all postal items, free of charge, to citizens at their homes, eliminating the need to visit the local post office. The first such route in North Carolina operated from China Grove in Rowan County on October 23, 1896. "Mail service began in North Carolina in the 1730s as the colonial government extended postal routes through the Carolinas to Charleston. Following the Revolutionary War, there were only four post offices in North Carolina, in the major port cities. By 1851, the number of post offices had increased to nearly 800. North Carolinians had become accustomed to regular postal services, which were operated by the local postmaster who established an office, either in a local public building or in a house, and from there local citizens regularly collected their mail. "Following Wilson's proposal during the second administration of President Grover Cleveland, China Grove, a small community near Salisbury, began experimenting with the development of a mail delivery route. Salisbury politician John S. Henderson, a Congressman who served as chairman of the Committee on Post Offices and Postroads during the late 1890s, pushed for the experiment in Rowan County. Under the direction of J. Bruner Goodnight, China Grove's postmaster, a Rural Free Delivery route was established. Goodnight was discouraged at the lack of public interest and commitment to the project, and resigned shortly thereafter. "In 1896 a new Postmaster, J.C. Deaton, developed two test routes from the China Grove office. Initially only two citizens, C. A. Linn of Landis and Martin Blackwelder of Kannapolis, were willing to accept the service. Local skepticism for the mail delivery stemmed from concerns about theft and reliability. Deaton, with two assistants, canvassed the area around China Grove, pleading for local residents to try the system. The new routes covered approximately eighteen miles in Rowan County, and were slowly expanded as citizen began to trust the RFD system. Although development was slow, today's postal system derives from the scheme first tested out in North Carolina in China Grove in 1896." This is marker number L-17. There isn't much for parking nearby. [Review 1144 of 2024 - 3639 in North Carolina - 22168 overall]

Catawba County was formed in 1842 from Lincoln County and this Justice Center was completed in 1979…read morewith later expansions in 2018/2019. It is a two-story structure of gray concrete and glass in a modern style. This minimalist, functional design contrasts sharply with the county's earlier Neo-Classical courthouse from 1924. In recent years, the Justice Center underwent a significant expansion, adding wings to the north, east, and south sides while preserving the original structure at its core. Inside, the building houses both Superior and District Courts for the 25th Judicial District, serving Catawba, Burke, and Caldwell counties. They have a massive parking lot and I found plenty of space this afternoon. [Review 1195 of 2025 - 4380 in North Carolina - 24747 overall]

In a commercial district of Kannapolis and in front of a Wells Fargo branch, this marker points out…read morethe earliest history of "North Carolina" before it was even settled. The marker reads, "Granville Grant. Formed northern half of colony of North Carolina. Southern boundary surveyed to a point near here in the fall of 1746." The online essay has more information. "On March 24, 1663, King Charles II granted eight men, the Lord Proprietors, the charter for a tract of land called Carolina in the American colonies. The charter was renewed in 1665. By 1729, seven of the eight Proprietors (or their heirs) had sold their interests back to the English government. The eighth Proprietor, John Lord Carteret, inherited from his grandfather the title of Earl Granville and one-eighth of the Carolina territory, which ranged from modern-day Virginia to Florida and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Granville refused to sell his territory back to King George II, and his one-eighth of Carolina became the Granville District." This is marker number L-13 and you can park in the bank lot to read it. [Review 1145 of 2024 - 3640 in North Carolina - 22169 overall]

I concur w/ other reviewers about the disturbing noise w/i the library on Main Street…read more I even spoke to the library manager and she shrugged it off basically saying that times change, which I suppose means throw out the good and keep most of the bad. Children learn quickly how not to behave in this library, just like the ee's. Like others, I found it difficult to find a place to read or study, which is a big part of what a library is for--or used to be. Also, whoever keeps up the 'historian's' office, needs some organization skills. What a plush, seemingly do-nothing job. The next time you are there take a peek....

I just love the library. I needed to print a copy of something and how can you complain about .10…read morecents for a copy and color no doubt. I needed a temporary card as I was not a library card holder and they gave me a pass. How simple was this? I was impressed and grateful for the polite and courteous staff today. This is a cool library with lots of pumpkins on display right now for a contest. Check it out. And they are adding a new location opening soon on Brawley School road.

This place is amazing. The library is perfectly sized and stocked with everything needed for…read moretoddlers all thw way up to seniors. The active living space is a pleasant surprise. The gym has all the equipment and weights for all fitness levels. The separate fitness space is perfect for classes which they have an established schedule for. Yet, it is typically open for anyone to use. They also have a pool room, activity room, and flex space with kitchen minus an oven.

I have been coming here since May, and I'm consistently impressed with the Afton Ridge Public…read moreLibrary. I haven't ventured into the active living area, but I hear it's quite nice. The team here is outstanding - they're always ready to assist, genuinely attentive and very helpful. Beyond the wonderful staff, the library itself is always immaculately kept. You can print color/BW pages here for .25 cents each, and you can also reserve a conference room. Having said that, what truly sets this branch apart are the programs that they regularly host. They are great for encouraging patrons to explore more books, while making reading a part of your everyday routine. While I've patronized the downtown Concord Library for 13 years, Afton Ridge has become my new preferred spot. It seems like kismet that my 450th review is exploring one of my new favorite places :-)

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 marker on the side of the road recalls a battle of the American Revolution. Not one of the…read morebetter performances by the Colonials but they did eventually win the way. The marker reads, "British cavalry led by Colonel Tarleton routed a force of American militia, Feb. 2, 1781, at Torrence's Tavern, which stood nearby." As is usual with North Carolina's markers, there is more information online: 'The British wasted little time getting organized after defeating the small militia force of William Lee Davidson at the Battle of Cowan's Ford on February 1, 1781. Rain began falling again, slowing Cornwallis's progress, but the British army managed to reunite and made a wet camp six miles from Beattie's Ford during the evening hours of February 1. Before setting out from Cowan's Ford, Cornwallis dispatched Tarleton with the 23rd Foot and his Legion dragoons to discover Greene's location, seemingly unaware that the Continentals had fallen back to Salisbury." "Several postwar accounts claim that Tarleton found the militia in complete distress, many of them drunk, and completely incapable of fighting back. Joseph Graham, who did not witness the event firsthand, stated "The wagons of many of the movers with their property mixed in the lane, the armed men all out of order, and mixed with the wagons and people, so that the lane could scarcely be passed, when the sound of alarm was given from the west end of the lane." The British won the engagement. "Although Tarleton had destroyed the small militia force, the Whigs had bought precious time for Greene's army to continue its escape through Salisbury. Cornwallis would be halted again at the Trading Ford, kept at bay by the constant rain and swollen banks of the Yadkin River." [Review 13219 overall, 536 of 2020.]

This review is for the vehicle license office 186 N. Broad St in Mooresville,…read more I arrived at the NC vehicle registration office in Mooresville about 10 am on 12/04/2025 and expected to be there for a while. I was immediately greeted by a nice lady behind the counter and called to the counter. She processed my paperwork for the title and registration quickly and efficiently and in a friendly manner. I hope everyone that goes here can find the same pleasant serice as I did.

I brought my son to the Mooresville DMV for his permit test since the appointment date was sooner…read morethan the DMV's closer to my house. This location is extremely small but it's ran like a well oiled machine. The lady at the check in desk had the right amount of professionalism mixed with a little "I don't take no, mess so don't try me," and I can respect that! On the outside, this location has the appearance of a small dress shop but once you get inside there's a small seating area to the right and a checkin station straight ahead. Things seem to move quickly, we waited about 20 minutes before they called my son to the back to take his test. I would definitely return to this location in the future.