On a quiet country road in rural North Carolina, this marker stands with the kind of unhurried…read moredignity that suits its subject. The landscape around it is open and still, the sort of place where history feels close enough to touch. It honors a 19th century politician whose influence reached far beyond these fields, yet whose beginnings were rooted in this very stretch of countryside. The marker offers a brief pause in the drive, inviting you to step out, read a few lines, and imagine how someone from such a quiet corner of the state rose to shape public life on a much larger stage. The marker has the same text on both sides. It reads, "Congressman, 1791-1815. Speaker of U.S. House, 1801-1807. Later U.S. Senator. His home site and grave, 4 miles Northwest." It is marker number E-2 and it was erected in 2016 by the North Carolina Office of Archives and History. There is more information online. Macon was known for championing the agricultural and social priorities of his home state. His long career included service in the State Senate, twenty-four years in the U.S. House with a term as Speaker, and more than a decade in the U.S. Senate, all shaped by his strict anti‑federalist views and defense of states' rights and slavery. After retiring to his Warren County plantation, Buck Spring, he remained admired by contemporaries such as Jefferson, Jackson, and Monroe for his blunt and uncompromising political philosophy. He was an outspoken critic against the Alien and Sedition acts of 1798. His legacy endures in the places named for him and in the imprint he left on Southern political thought. Fort Macon; Macon County; Macon, Georgia; and Virginia's Randolph-Macon College were named in his honor. [Review 56 of 2026 - 4535 in North Carolina - 25246 overall]

This marker is located along US-158 between Oxford and Roxboro. It points out the namesake of North…read moreCarolina's Person County. There is room to stop here to read the marker. It has the same text on both sides. It reads, "Leader of popular movements: Regulation, Revolution, and Antifederalism. His home in Goshen stood five miles north." Online, there is more information. "Thomas Person, a North Carolina political leader from Granville County, was born in Virginia in 1733. His father, William Person, was the first sheriff of Granville County after moving his family to North Carolina around 1740. Person is best known for his involvement in three integral parts of North Carolina history: the Regulator Movement, the American Revolution, and North Carolina's admission to the United States of America. "Person acted as both justice of the peace and sheriff before representing Granville County in the North Carolina General Assembly in 1764. At the outbreak of the Regulator Movement, Governor William Tryon ordered Person to be jailed in Hillsborough, despite his absence from the Battle of Alamance. Person was considered a high powered and influential figure within the movement, and was charged but exonerated due to lack of evidence. Person was called upon during the Third Provincial Congress to persuade former Regulators to join the Revolutionary cause. "Remaining actively involved in politics before the Revolutionary War, Person represented Granville County in each of the five North Carolina Provincial Congresses. He played a vital role in the Congresses, sitting on most important committees, including the committee that drafted the Halifax Resolves in April 1776. Person also contributed to the planning of the state constitution of 1776. After the Halifax Resolves were adopted and North Carolina declared its independence from Great Britain, Thomas Person was elected brigadier general of the Hillsborough district militia, but returned to state government as the "radical" faction leader after 1776. "Following the Patriot victory in the Revolutionary War, Person continued his representation in the North Carolina House of Commons, acting as an Anti-Federalist leader. Person strongly opposed the ratification of the federal constitution, voting against it in the Hillsborough convention of 1788 and the Fayetteville convention of 1789. He fought for equality and justice in government, fearing the effects on the poor of federal taxes. "At the time of his death, Person owned over 65,000 acres in ten counties in North Carolina and an additional 16,000 acres in Tennessee. Additionally, in present-day Halifax County, Person operated a tavern and inn, Person's Ordinary, which existed from around 1700. Person lived at "Goshen" plantation in Granville County until his old age, at which time he moved to another house in Warren County where he was buried after his death in 1800." This is marker number G-17. It was erected in 1972 by the State Department of Archives and History. [Review 2473 of 2024 - 3927 in North Carolina - 23485 overall]

Carrying Virginia Route 58 over Buggs Lake, the John W. Tisdale Memorial Bridge spans 4900 feet. It…read moreis 60 feet over the water (depending on how low they have drained the lake). Completed in 2005 and dedicated by the Virginia Department of Transportation under Governor Mark R. Warner, it is named for Judge John W. Tisdale who served as Mecklenburg County court judge for more than 40 years as well as the longest-tenured mayor in Clarksville town history and devoted area historian. The bridge is part of the 5.5 mile long Clarksville Bypass which is a four-lane highway that carries traffic just south of the town of Clarksville, with interchanges at U.S. 15 just east and south of town. The bridge is a great addition to the area though it's a little boring and without any fancy features. There is no toll. [Review 2142 of 2024 - 1453 in Virginia - 23161 overall]

This marker is located in front of the Masonic Home for Children and points out the currently…read moreoperating facility. There isn't really room to park but the wide driveway of the orphanage has space for a quick stop and photo. The marker reads, "Opened by Masons, 1873, with John H. Mills first head, in plant of St. Johns College, which they had operated, 1858-1861." Online, there is more information. "The Oxford Orphanage began when the statewide organization of Masons, the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, passed a resolution in 1847 indicating that a seminary of learning should be created to educate children, whether poor or rich, whether orphan or not. The committee assigned to create the school proposed that astronomy, natural philosophy, chemistry, geology, electricity and application to machinery, various processes of manufactures, metallurgy, natural history and engineering be taught. The Masons wanted the students at their school to have as good an education as could be attained anywhere in the nation. On June 24, 1855, the anniversary of the birth of St. John the Baptist, the cornerstone of St. John's College was laid. The building was completed in December 1857 and opened on July 13, 1858. From the outset the school was unsuccessful. The campus was offered to the state for use as a military school, but, during the war years, served only to house squatters or war refugees. "John H. Mills in December 1872 suggested that the school should be turned into an orphanage. Trustees accepted his proposal and the former St. John's College became the first permanent orphanage in North Carolina. Mills moved onto campus and remained in the post until 1884. In February 1873 the first orphans, Robert L. and Nancy Parrish and Isabelle Robertson, took up residence. In the first year of operation, the orphanage welcomed 136 children, 109 of whom remained at the close of the year. The name of the institution was changed in 1923 to Oxford Orphanage and, in 1994, to the Masonic Home for Children. In 2000 the home launched an ambitious campaign to attain state licensing, improve and expand services, and construct a set of new, handicapped-accessible one-story cottages." This is marker number G-7 and it was first cast in 1936. [Review 2129 of 2024 - 3797 in North Carolina - 23148 overall]

Oxford Orphanage gets and deserves a 5 STAR - GREAT rating. Why someone would give it a 3 star…read morerating shows just how low our humanity has sunken. Take my word for it. I grew up there over 40 years ago. I left with a good head on my shoulders and have made myself a wonderful and productive life. I am educated, upper middle class, contribute to the community and world I live in, treat everyone as with dignity and respect. I am an E-level manager in the corporate world as many of my former classmates are. Most importantly, I left there with a sense of purpose and am happy with life and live in the present. I'm 60 now, but will never forget my roots as Oxford Orphanage paved the way for me to live a life that is reflective of it's founders back in 1873. One of contribution, caring for my fellow human beings, and a drive to be the best I can be in this world. I encourage those at the now MHCO to do what I did. Dream the biggest dream you can....and go for it. God bless all the Masons of NC for creating this magnificent place to begin a wonderful journey. I left with 100 dollars and a new suitcase the evening I graduated and have built a rich life full of love and contribute to my church, community, fellow-man, and the world I live in. Yelp, please remove the 3 star rating left by Bruce K. He obviously doesn't have a soul. THANK YOU to all my counselors, teachers, and administrators that taught me the respect for humanity and to have a spine. Kindly, Eric Earle / Class of 1984

Not far from the center of Oxford, this marker points out a name that rang a strong bell in my…read moremind. Of course, everyone is from somewhere and James Webb is from here. The marker reads, "James E. Webb, 1906-1992. Led NASA, 1961 to 1968, during Mercury, Gemini, and early Apollo. He est. Johnson, Kennedy space centers. Lived 1 blk. W." Online, there is more information. "James Webb was born in Tally Ho, Granville County, in 1906. He grew up in Oxford where his father was superintendent of schools. By the time he was asked to run the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), he had gained a reputation as a more than capable administrator. His career to that point included serving as vice- president of the Sperry Gyroscope Company in New York, commander of the First Marine Air Warning Group at Cherry Point during World War II, and director of the Bureau of Budget and undersecretary of state for the Truman administration, in addition to early stints in the offices of North Carolina congressman Edward Pou and former governor O. Max Gardner." "During a time of great social and political upheaval, Webb advocated relentlessly for his agency, making himself personally available to answer questions regarding mistakes, setbacks, or failures in order to deflect the heat away from his staff. Following the tragic loss of Ed White, Roger Chaffee, and Gus Grissom in the Apollo 1 fire on January 20, 1967, Webb spent the next several months on Capitol Hill subjecting himself to the questions, harangues, and criticisms of multiple congressional committees. It was a crucial moment for the agency--there were questions as to whether the Apollo program, or even NASA, could survive it--but Webb took the heat, thereby allowing his agency escape relatively unscathed." This is marker number G-136 and it was erected in 2018 by the North Carolina Office of Archives and History. The road is wide enough that you can stop here to read it. [Review 2130 of 2024 - 3798 in North Carolina - 23149 overall]

I love this historic lake town of Clarksville located by Buggs Island Lake or as some refer to it…read moreas Kerr Lake! It's just a few blocks of shops, businesses, and restaurants. Of course I found the little post office tucked away on a side street that serves this community of about 1,200 people. Named after its founder, Clark Royster, this was a tobacco town in the 1800's and is now a popular tourist spot for water and outdoor enthusiasts. The town hosts a Lakefest festival annually which draws a lot of people to this charming town. The first post office here was established in 1819, but now it's modern counterpart post office isn't much to look at. The post office is a plain brick building and doesn't have nearly as much personality as it's surrounding neighbors. Across the street is a darling Victorian house and the Main Street is dotted with cool architecture. Inside the post office was clean and tidy. A huge plus and surprisingly, they have passport services here! There's a greeting card kiosk and plenty of mailing supplies. Hours M-F 9:00-4:30 Saturday 9:00-12:00

I wanted to make sure others got a different perspective of the Henderson, NC SSN office as my…read moreexperience was outstanding. From the security officer who was polite when I walked in to Ms Horne, who walked me through all of my questions. She was also very candid as to what services they can and cannot provide and I believe that is where a lot of frustration as a consumer comes in as they aren't able to assist with the general usage of the online website, which can be very confusing and frustrating to an end-user. As someone who had spent multiple hours on hold with the 800 number, it was refreshing to speak with a helpful, cordial person face-to-face!

Very unprofessional an rude the only person I've encountered here that is pleasent to deal with is…read moreMr Thomas. All his other staff members are VERY VERY VERY RUDE. If they don't like there jobs then they should go elsewhere. This type of business deals with customer service. If you can't deal with it or not a people person then find another profession.

Located along US-58 where there is a widening of the road, this marker points out the history of a…read moreman who served honorably. It's unclear from the text why the marker is here in this particular spot, but it turns out that Kennon was from here - Mecklenburg Virginia. It reads, "Richard Kennon of Mecklenburg served as an officer in the 5th Virginia Regiment, 1776-1778 and later in the State Militia. He served in both houses of the General Assembly and was Presiding Officer of the Senate, 1800-1802. He died in 1805." This is marker number U-80 and it was erected in 1962 by the Virginia State Library. Online, there is some more biographical information. Kennon was appointed by Thomas Jefferson as the first Louisiana District commandant and later became the first governor of the territory of Louisiana. He died away while holding the office of governor in New Orleans. [Review 2213 of 2024 - 1460 in Virginia - 23231 overall]