Topics Related to This Day in North Carolina History

Food Lion Rooted in Salisbury

On December 12, 1957, the first Food Town—now known as Food Lion—opened in Salisbury. The chain began when brothers Ralph and Clifford Ketner teamed up with family friend Wilson Smith to leave Winn-Dixie and try their own hands in the grocery business.

A House Fire That Led to Historic Preservation

On December 12, 1989, the ca. 1751 Palmer-Marsh house at Historic Bath caught fire, but what could have been a tragedy turned out to be a win for preservationists.

The General Assembly Chartered UNC

On December 11, 1789, the General Assembly passed a bill chartering a state-supported university.

The Duke Endowment: Enriching the Carolinas

On December 11, 1924, James B. Duke established the Duke Endowment with an initial gift of $40 million. The Endowment received an additional $67 million at Duke’s death the following year.

William Miller, Governor During War of 1812

On December 10, 1825, former North Carolina Governor William Miller died in Key West, Florida.

Until He Be Dead: The End of Stede Bonnet

On December 10, 1718, Stede Bonnet, the “Gentleman Pirate,” was hanged in South Carolina.

Oldest Grave in Salisbury’s Old English Cemetery

On December 10, 1775, Daniel Little died and was laid to rest on land that became the Old English Cemetery in Salisbury.  He was the first of many to be buried on the property, eventually donated to the city by Thomas Frohock and located downtown near the courthouse.

Roots of the John Birch Society

On December 9, 1958, Chowan County native Robert Welch founded the John Birch Society in Indianapolis.

Marshal Ferdinand Foch in Monroe, 1921

On December 9, 1921, Ferdinand Foch, formerly the commander-in-chief of all allied armies in World War I, gave a speech at the Union County Courthouse praising America’s role in the conflict.

Confederate Prison at Salisbury Opened, 1861

On December 9, 1861, the Confederate prison at Salisbury took in its first Yankee prisoners.