On June 17, 1961, the Flat Rock Playhouse in Henderson County’s village of Flat Rock was named the state theater of North Carolina. The venue is home to the Vagabond Players, the oldest Equity acting troupe in the state.
On June 17, 1742, William Hooper, one of North Carolina’s three signers of the Declaration of Independence, was born. Hooper grew up in Boston and attended Harvard before moving to Wilmington and opening a law office there in 1764.
On June 17, 1986, Kate Smith, “The Songbird of the South,” died of complications from diabetes at Raleigh Community Hospital.
On June 17, 1864, Brigadier General Gabriel Rains was appointed chief of the newly created Torpedo Bureau of the Confederate army.
On June 16, 1939, country music star Billy “Crash” Craddock was born in Greensboro.
On June 16, 1903, the U.S. Patent Office registered the trademark of New Bern, pharmacist Caleb Bradham’s new soft drink, Pepsi-Cola.
On June 15, 1970, the Land of Oz theme park opened on Beech Mountain in Avery County.
On June 15, 1838, John Chavis, African American teacher, preacher and Revolutionary War veteran died.
On June 15, 1987, the shad boat was designated as North Carolina’s official state historical boat.