Topics Related to Historical Markers

Battle of King's Mountain (O-1)

Overmountain Men from Tenn., Va., & N.C. led Patriots to victory over British, Oct. 7, 1780. Site 7 miles south.

Ginseng Trade (N-51)

Native root valued in China for medicinal uses; long collected by locals. Wilcox Drug (est. 1900), among its exporters, operated 175 yds. SE.

Daniel Kanipe 1853-1926 (N-50)

Survived Battle of Little Bighorn, 1876. A soldier in 7th U.S. cavalry, he witnessed defeat of Geo. A. Custer. Lived here.

Sam J. Ervin, Jr. 1896-1985 (N-49)

U.S. Senator, 1954-1974; led Senate Watergate Committee, 1973-1974; judge. His law office was one block west.

Stanley Harris 1882-1976 (N-48)

Boy Scouts of America leader. Founded Scouts’ Interracial Service in 1926. Lived 100 yds. N.

Fort San Juan (N-47)

Built by Juan Pardo in 1567 at native town of Joara. Served as Spanish outpost until razed by Indians, 1568. NE 4 mi.

Penland School (N-46)

Founded 1929 by Lucy Morgan (1889-1981) to promote traditional crafts including pottery, metalworking and weaving. Campus 1 mile S.W.

Spruce Pine Mining District (N-45)

Mica, feldspar, quartz deposits found in region 25 mi. long, 10 mi. wide. Commercial production of mica emerged 1850s.

Crossnore School (N-44)

Founded by Mary Martin Sloop, physician, 1913, to serve region's youth. Weaving Room, est. 1920, boosted revival of handicrafts. Campus 1/2 mi. W.

Lees-McRae College (N-43)

Presbyterian. Founded in 1900 by Edgar Tufts. Named for teacher Elizabeth McRae & benefactor Mrs. S. P. Lees. Senior college since 1988.