Historical marker N-8 is located across the street from the Historic Burke County Courthouse and…read morepoints out the history of a local politician who went on to lead the state of North Carolina through challenging times. The marker reads, "Governor, 1870-1874, during Reconstruction, member State Convention of 1865. His home stood here." It was erected in 1939 by the North Carolina Department of Conservation and Development. Tod Robinson Caldwell rose from a standout Morganton‑born attorney to a central figure in North Carolina's turbulent Reconstruction politics. Trained by leading educators and known for sharp courtroom skill, he entered public life early and remained a committed Unionist even as most state Whigs shifted course during the Civil War. Afterward he helped build the state's Republican Party and became a key architect of its postwar government. As governor he pushed for financial stability, stronger public schools, legal protections for Black citizens, and accountability in major bond scandals, though an unfriendly legislature blocked much of his agenda. Known for moderation during a volatile era, he won a narrow reelection before dying suddenly in 1874, with his body returned to the community that shaped his early career. There is street parking here and it's an easy stop as you're exploring the historic district of Morganton. [Review 545 of 2026 - 4640 in North Carolina - 25727 overall]

This marker recalls an important local hero and citizen, responsible for much of what we have today…read morein Charlotte. The marker is not from the state marker database. It reads, "Richard Barry, 1726-1801), Tanner, Legislator, Signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. Co-founder of Hopewell Presbyterian Church, City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Superior Court. He recovered General William L. Davidson's body after the Cowan's Ford Battle and brought him to Hopewell Church for burial. Family homesite approximately 0.2 miles east." He is listed as one of Mecklenburg County's first magistrates. On February 6, 1764, he was sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives from Mecklenburg County. On November 7, 1768, by an Act of the General Assembly, Richard Barry was appointed as a member of a group of trustees and directors who were charged with the responsibilty of planning and building the town of Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition to his community and business life, Barry was an active member of the Hopewell Presbyterian Church and is buried in its cemetery. [Review 13394 overall, 713 of 2020.]

This roadside marker recalls Colonial Times and has an adjacent stone marker…read more The historical marker reads, "Formed 1768, named for Governor William Tryon. Divided in 1779 into Lincoln and Rutherford Counties. Courthouse stood here." Online, there is more information. "In 1768, the Colonial Assembly acted upon the entreaties of Mecklenburg County citizens who complained about having to travel long distances to the county court as a result of the county's immense size. The decision was made to divide Mecklenburg County into two separate counties: Mecklenburg and Tryon. In 1779, the General Assembly voted to do away with Tryon County, dividing the land into Lincoln and Rutherford Counties. Tryon was serving as a British officer at the time, and citizens desperately wanted the county name changed to reflect their Patriotic sentiments. Lincoln County was named for Major General Benjamin Lincoln of the Continental Army while Rutherford was named for North Carolina militia leader Griffith Rutherford." The stone marker notes, "Here in August 1775 was formulated and signed the Tryon County Declaration of Rights and Independence from British Tyranny. The following were signers..." and there is a list of 50 patriots below. On the opposite side, "Home of Christian Mauney. Pioneer and Patriarch, 1770. Site of Tryon Court House, 1774 to 1783. Camp of Lord Cornwallis and British Army, January 23 1781. Erected by descendants of Christian Mauney and their friends, 1919 W.A. Mauney Chairman." The Tryonota Volunteer Fire Department structure is nearby. I do not see any signs of the former courthouse from the roadside. [Review 13734 overall, 1054 of 2020, number 2511 in North Carolina.]

This marker is easy to spot and located at an intersection so there is room to stop to read it…read more Once you've done that, you can continue just to the east to check out the church itself if you prefer. The marker reads, "Lutheran. Organized prior to 1798. J.G. Arends was first pastor. Building, the fourth on site, is 1/4 mile east." Originally built as a log church on land deeded by Henry Pope, it evolved through several reconstructions - most notably a brick sanctuary in 1883, a 1948 expansion, and a 1951 rebuild after a fire. Another fire in 2001 led to the current sanctuary, dedicated in 2003. The church became affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in 1895, and its first pastor was J. G. Arends, a German native. Over time, the Lutherans acquired full ownership of the property, and the church has remained a significant religious and historical site in the region. This is marker number O-64 and it was erected in 2008 by the North Carolina Division of Archives and History. [Review 1198 of 2025 - 4383 in North Carolina - 24750 overall]

Fort Dobbs Historic site is undoubtedly one of the best sites in the NC historic site system! From…read morea modern visitor center to a detailed guided tour, Fort Dobbs has everything to keep you interested. Fort Dobbs provides tons of history concerning the French and Indian War, as it is the only NC historic site concerning that period. There are several points of interest for you to explore, a .5 mile nature trail, a new visitor center with an exhibit opening soon, and a fort for you to explore! If you want to see the inside of the fort, you HAVE to take the guided tour. There are 4 tour times, with cheap prices! Our tour lasted about an hour and 45 minutes, and was extremely detailed! Our tour guide (the site manager) has studied history in college for nearly 12 years!! He constantly had more information and detailed history to tell us about, never ending for 105 minutes! Everyone in our group was impressed, and were thankful to have such a great tour guide. The guided tour is worth it! If you're in the area, you should stop by! It's a great way to get some fresh air and expand your knowledge concerning the 7 Years War (French and Indian War).

Fort Dobbs is such a cool, low-key stop if you're into history. It's a reconstruction of the…read moreoriginal 1756 fort (finished in 2019), and you can only go inside with a guided tour every 45 minutes--totally worth it. Our tour was about 45 minutes, super educational, and took us through different rooms while explaining what happened here. It's also really affordable ($5 adults, $1 kids). There's an older visitor center with a small gift shop (new one coming soon), plus a picnic shelter, restrooms, and a short walking trail. Great quick visit for families.

You might drive right past this pedestrian bridge and not think much about it. But this relic from…read morethe past built in 1928 once carried Highway 70 over the Stones River, one of America's longest roads designated in 1926 connecting Arizona to the Atlantic Ocean! It's also one of the world's last surviving fusions of a K-truss design (at the center) and a Parker truss design (outer panels). The k-truss, debuting in 1918, is exceptionally strong and supports tremendous weight, even fully loaded trains! This design features a framework that branches off a central vertical post, connected to the top and bottom in a pattern that resembles the letter "K." The Parker truss, first patented in 1870, features the top of a bridge sloping upward to its central pinnacle instead of approaching it perpendicular to the street below.

The Bob Sheehan Memorial Bridge sits alongside Lebanon Pike and is now part of the Stones River…read moreGreenway, and is easily accessible via Lebanon Pike or the Kohl's Greenway entrance. What once was an iconic bridge for travelers is now a historic pedestrian bridge that passes over top of Stones River and connects portions of the ever expanding Greenway. The bridge is small, but mighty with the large steel overhead and wide pathway. On one side you have river views and the other is Lebanon Pike, so one is definitely nicer than the other! The bridge is kept clean and for the most part is kept up by the city. It's a nice landmark, and a great part of the Greenway!

Great venue, organizers did a fantastic job reenactor did a great job portraying local militia and…read morethe burning of the baggage shows how desperate the British were.

Revolutionary War battle site featuring original cabins, a mass grave and a beautiful .3 mile loop…read morewalking trail. Very peaceful and educational.

Large public library that serves Catawba County, this is the main branch. Free wifi, power outlets,…read morea quiet spot to study or work. And of course, lots of books. Fiction, non-fiction, periodicals and reference materials. I spent about an hour here charging up my phone and laptop, plus figuring out what I was doing next. It's peaceful and roomy. Plenty of tables and [Review 12720 overall, 32 of 2020.]

The website is a joke. Their online catalog search doesn't work, it just hangs until it eventually…read moretimes out.