Topics Related to Historical Markers

Hinton James 1776-1847 (D-13)

First student to enter the University of North Carolina, 1795. Civil engineer and legislator. Grave 300 yards east.

Fort Fisher (D-12)

Built by Confederacy. Its fall on Jan. 15, 1865, closed Wilmington, last important southern port for blockade running.

Fort Johnston (D-11)

Gov. Gabriel Johnston ordered construction of fort, 1745. Burned by defiant colonists, 1775. Rebuilt later. Only the officers quarters remain.

Alexander Lillington (D-10)

Revolutionary leader, Whig colonel in the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, 1776. His grave is 9 miles northeast.

Whistler's Mother (D-9)

Anna McNeill Whistler, the mother of James Whistler, artist, was born in a house which stood one block east.

Fort Caswell (D-8)

Built by U.S. Army, 1826. Seized by N.C. militia in 1861. Vital Confederate coastal defense until it was abandoned in 1865. Fort stands 3 miles E.

Samuel Ashe 1725-1813 (D-7)

Governor, 1795-1798; one of the first three state judges; president, Council of Safety, 1776. His grave is 3 miles east.

Moore's Creek Bridge (D-6)

First battle of American Revolution fought in N.C. on Feb. 27, 1776. Was a Patriot victory. National Park Service Battlefield 5 miles SW.

St. James Church (D-5)

Built 1839, near site of older church, begun about 1751. Graves of Cornelius Harnett and Thomas Godfrey.

Stamp Act (D-4)

Armed citizens led a protest in Feb. 1766 at Brunswick, seat of royal power, 2 mi. SE.