Topics Related to Historical Markers
Civil War governor. He led state, 1862-65, and 1877-79; U.S. Senator, 1879-94. Colonel, 26th N.C. Regiment, 1861-62. Birthplace 6 miles N.E.
One of the last surviving covered bridges in North Carolina, built in 1894, stands 500 yards north on Lyles Creek.
Location: NC 73 west of Lake Norman
County: Lincoln
Original Date Cast: 1964
This large rectangular marker, with map inset, was researched and erected concurrent with the construction in the early 1960s of the Cowan’s Ford dam and the creation of Lake Norman. The extended text reads as follows:
On Oct. 5, 1780, about 1400 militia, including many riflemen, camped 1 mi. S. at Alexander’s Ford and there turned toward Kings Mountain.
Devastated western N.C. and western Piedmont; destroyed homes, crops, mills, bridges. Ten lives lost, July 16, in washout of trestle 1 mile south.
Granite monolith. Site acquired by Lucius Morse in 1902. Developed into tourist attraction. State park, 2007. One mi. S.
A strike in 1929 at the Loray Mill, 200 yards S., left two dead and spurred opposition to labor unions statewide.
Manufacturer of horse-drawn wooden wagons. At peak capacity produced 1000 per month. Operated from 1880 to 1940s 1/10 mile north.
Pioneer orthopedic surgeon; founded hospitals for crippled children; chief surgeon of Warm Springs (Ga.) Foundation. Birthplace 80 yds. east.
State institution for disabled children, 1921-1979. R. B. Babington was its first president; O. L. Miller, founding surgeon.