The names on the map

Walter Raleigh never set foot in North Carolina, and its capital carries his name. These are the towns and cities named for somebody, read from each place's own record, with what the people behind the names actually said.

Boone named for Daniel Boone American pioneer and frontiersman (1734–1820) Fayetteville named for Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette French general and politician (1757–1834) Franklinton named for Benjamin Franklin American polymath and statesman (1706–1790) Greensboro named for Nathanael Greene American general in the American Revolutionary War (1742-1786) Jefferson named for Thomas Jefferson Founding Father, U.S. president from 1801 to 1809 (1743–1826) Louisburg named for Louis XVI of France King of France and Navarre from 1774 to 1791, then King of the French from 1791 to 1792 (1754-1793) North Wilkesboro named for John Wilkes English radical, journalist, and politician (1725–1797) Raleigh named for Walter Raleigh English statesman, soldier and writer (1552–1618) Washington named for George Washington Founding Father and first U.S. president (1732–1799) Wendell named for Oliver Wendell Holmes American poet and physician (1809–1894) Wentworth named for Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham British Prime Minister (1730-1782) Wilkesboro named for John Wilkes English radical, journalist, and politician (1725–1797) Wilmington named for Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington Prime Minister of Great Britain