Topics Related to Historical Markers

Founded by G. C. Shaw 1889 to educate African Americans. Named for a Presbyterian benefactor. Later a public school. Operated one block E.

Aviation pioneer & first woman to parachute from an airplane, 1913. Demonstrated uses of parachutes to Army, 1914. Grave 200 yds. N.

In the early decades of the 1900s, Durham acquired national reputation for entrepreneurship. Businesses owned by African Americans lined Parrish Street. Among them were N.C. Mutual Life Insurance Co. (moved to Parrish, 1906), led by John Merrick, Dr. Aaron Moore, & C. C. Spaulding, and Mechanics and Farmers Bank (1907), led by R. B. Fitzgerald and W. G. Pearson.

Burwell family slave, bought freedom, 1855. Dressmaker & friend to Mary Todd Lincoln. Published her memoir, 1868. Lived here, 1830s.

Lowes Grove credit union, first in South, formed to serve local farmers. Est. Dec. 9, 1915, on initiative of John Sprunt Hill.

Oldest public library in North Carolina supported by local taxpayers. In 1898 opened its doors at site 1/2 mile west.

Opened in 1980 as state-supported, residential high school. Campus was site of Watts Hospital (1909-1976), built by Geo. Washington Watts.

Troops led by Henry Lee ambushed British cavalry of Banastre Tarleton one mile north, Mar. 2, 1781. Americans retreated under heavy British fire.

George Washington's last overnight stop in N.C., June 3, 1791, was at the home of Dudley Gatewood, which stood 1 mi. N.E.

Black business leader. In 1898 he founded what is now N.C. Mutual Life Insurance Company. His grave is 85 yds. N.W.