Revolution and founding, 1775-1789
151 highway markers.
Alamance County
- G-54ALEXANDER MEBANEBrigadier general of North Carolina militia, member House of Commons, conventions 1788, 1789, and U.S. Congress. His hom...
- G-111BATTLE OF CLAPP'S MILLTroops led by Henry Lee ambushed British cavalry of Banastre Tarleton one mile north, Mar. 2, 1781. Americans retreated ...
- G-21LINDLEY'S MILLIn a battle on Sept. 13, 1781, John Butler's Whig militia failed to rescue Governor Thomas Burke from Col. David Fanning...
- G-22PYLE'S DEFEATTory militia going to join Cornwallis's army destroyed by Lee's Legion Feb. 1781 nearby on Col. Michael Holt's land.
Anson County
Avery County
Beaufort County
Bladen County
Brunswick County
Buncombe County
- P-37RUTHERFORD TRACEThe expedition led by Gen. Griffith Rutherford against the Cherokee, September, 1776, passed nearby on the banks of the ...
- P-38RUTHERFORD TRACEThe expedition led by Gen. Griffith Rutherford against the Cherokee, Sept., 1776, passed nearby.
- P-39RUTHERFORD TRACEThe expedition led by Gen. Griffith Rutherford against the Cherokee, Sept., 1776, camped nearby along Hominy Creek.
- N-32SWANNANOA GAPUsed by Indians and pioneers in crossing Blue Ridge. General Rutherford's expedition against Cherokee passed here, Septe...
- P-54WILLIAM MOORECaptain of militia force which marched against the Cherokee in Nov., 1776. A fort which he built stood near here. His ho...
Burke County
Caldwell County
Camden County
Carteret County
Caswell County
Chatham County
Cleveland County
- O-1BATTLE OF KINGS MOUNTAINOvermountain Men from Tenn., Va., & N.C. led Patriots to victory over British, Oct. 7, 1780. Site 7 miles south.
- O-6CORNWALLISEntered North Carolina near here, January, 1781, on his second invasion of the state, pursuing Morgan and Greene.
- O-59GRAHAM'S FORTHome of Col. William Graham. Site of Tory raid, 1780. Served as Revolutionary War fort. Site is 300 yds. N.E.
- O-5KINGS MOUNTAIN BATTLEGROUNDSite of decisive British defeat on Oct. 7, 1780. National Military Park located 5 mi. southeast in South Carolina.
- O-13PATRICK FERGUSONTory force led by Col. Ferguson camped nearby Oct. 4-5, 1780. Two days later Ferguson died in major British defeat at Ki...
Columbus County
Craven County
- C-5ABNER NASHGovernor during British invasion, 1780-81. Member of Provincial and Continental Congresses. Grave 3 1/3 miles S.W.
- C-20BAYARD v. SINGLETONAmerican precedent for judicial review of legislation set nearby, 1787, by Samuel Ashe, Samuel Spencer, John Williams.
- C-27DE BRETIGNYFrench marquis, State purchasing agent in Martinique, 1781-82, fought at Guilford Courthouse, Councillor of State. Home ...
- C-25FORT POINTSite of Fort Caswell, built by N.C., 1775-76, to protect New Bern, renamed Fort Lane by Confederacy. Taken by U.S., Mar....
Cumberland County
- I-70CHARTER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF N.C.William R. Davie's bill to charter the University was adopted by the General Assembly meeting nearby, Dec. 11, 1789.
- I-9CORNWALLISMarching to Wilmington after the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, stopped with his army in this town in April, 1781.
- I-10CROSS CREEKColonial village and trading center, merged in 1778 with town of Campbelton and in 1783 renamed Fayetteville.
- I-12LAFAYETTEOn American tour, 1825, he visited Fayetteville (named for him, 1783) and stayed at home of Duncan McRae, on site of pre...
- I-42MOORE'S CAMPPrior to the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, forces of Gen. James Moore, Whig commander, camped, Feb. 15-21, 1776, 1 1/2 ...
- I-14OLD TOWN HALLBuilt on site of the "State House," burned 1831, where the North Carolina Convention of 1789 ratified the Federal Consti...
Davie County
Duplin County
- F-7BATTLE OF ROCKFISHThe British under Major Craig defeated the North Carolina Militia, Aug. 2, 1781, 300 yards S.E.
- F-72JAMES GILLESPIE ca. 1747-1805U.S. Congressman, 1793-99, 1803-05; legislator; antifederalist; & militia officer. Home, burned by British, stood nearby...
- F-26JAMES KENANRevolutionary leader, member Provincial Congresses, conventions 1788, '89; militia brigadier general; trustee of Univers...
Durham County
- G-41JAMES O'KELLY ca. 1735-1826Founded the Christian Church, after dissenting from Methodist-Episcopal Church, 1792. His grave is 4 miles south.
- G-65MOUNT BETHEL METHODIST CHURCHNon-denominational meeting house built ca. 1784 by Archer Harris. By 1808 Methodist. Home church to Washington Duke.
- G-29STAGVILLEPlantation established by Richard Bennehan in 1776. Later a part of vast holdings of the Cameron family. House is 7 mile...
Forsyth County
- J-65FRATERNITY CHURCH OF THE BRETHRENOldest German Baptist (Dunker) congregation in North Carolina. Est. ca. 1775 near Muddy Creek, one mile south.
- J-66McKNIGHT'S MEETING HOUSEEst. by Methodists ca. 1782. Annual Conferences held here in 1789, 1790, & 1791 by Bishop Asbury. Site was 400 yards N.W...
- J-51NAZARETH CHURCHLutheran. Begun about 1778 by German settlers. Formerly called "Old Dutch Meeting House." Present building, 1878.
- J-9SHALLOW FORDColonial route across Yadkin River. Scene of Tory defeat by Whigs, 1780. Crossing used in 1781 by army of Lord Cornwalli...
Franklin County
- E-1GREEN HILL PLACESite of the first annual conference of Methodist Episcopal Church, 1785, hosted in home of Green Hill, minister, one mi....
- E-26LOUISBURG COLLEGEOpened in 1857 on the site of the Franklin Academy, chartered 1787. Now a Methodist junior college, coeducational.
- E-33RICHARD WARFINGTONMember of Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804-06. Led the return trip from Mandan villages. Born 1777 near here.
Gaston County
- O-47JOSEPH DICKSON 1745-1825Colonel in Revolution, later brigadier general, member of legislatures of N.C. and Tenn., and of U.S. Congress. His home...
- O-39OAK GROVEBuilt 1782. Home of James Johnston, officer in Revolution, member Provincial Congress, legislature, convention of 1788. ...
- O-42WILLIAM CHRONICLEMajor in Revolution, leader of Lincoln County forces at the battle of Kings Mountain, 1780, where he was killed. His hom...
Graham County
Granville County
Greene County
Guilford County
- J-40BATTLE OF NEW GARDENEarly on Mar. 15, 1781, the British and American forces skirmished near the New Garden Meeting House prior to the Battle...
- J-3GUILFORD COURTHOUSEArmies of Greene and Cornwallis engaged in pivotal battle here on March 15, 1781. Site now U.S. military park.
- J-58HALEY HOUSEBuilt 1786 by John Haley, blacksmith & sheriff, on the Petersburg-Salisbury Road. Later a tavern; now preserved as a mus...
- J-37WEITZEL'S MILLSite of a skirmish between American forces under Col. O. H. Williams and British troops under Col. James Webster, Mar. 6...
Halifax County
- E-12CORNWALLISThe British Army under Gen. Cornwallis marching to Virginia defeated the local Militia at the town of Halifax, in May, 1...
- E-73EDEN CHURCHMethodist. An active congregation by 1789. Present building, 1890-1900, is third on site.
- E-3INDEPENDENCEThe "Halifax Resolves," first formal sanction of American Independence, adopted in this town, April 12, 1776.
- E-57JAMES HOGUNBrigadier general in the Revolutionary War, member of Provincial Congresses. Died, 1781, as British prisoner of war. Hom...
- E-98NORTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTIONThe first constitution of the independent state was adopted in Halifax on December 18, 1776.
- E-48WHITMEL HILLColonel in Revolution. Member of Continental Congress, 1778-1781; of Provincial Congresses; and of state legislature. Gr...
- E-9WILLIE JONES 1741-1801Key Anti-Federalist and an advocate for states’ rights in Revolutionary era N.C. His home, “The Grove,” was 2/10 mi. W.
Haywood County
- P-40RUTHERFORD TRACEThe expedition led by Gen. Griffith Rutherford against the Cherokee, Sept., 1776, passed nearby along Hominy Creek.
- P-41RUTHERFORD TRACEThe expedition led by Gen. Griffith Rutherford against the Cherokee, Sept., 1776, passed here, through Pigeon Gap.
- P-42RUTHERFORD TRACEThe expedition led by Gen. Griffith Rutherford against the Cherokee, Sept., 1776, passed here, through Balsam Gap.
Henderson County
Hoke County
Iredell County
- M-23CLIO'S NURSERYA school established about 1778 by the Rev. James Hall. Trained many prominent men. Closed about 1787. Was a few hundred...
- M-5TORRENCE'S TAVERNBritish cavalry led by Colonel Tarleton routed a force of American militia, Feb. 2, 1781, at Torrence's Tavern, which st...
- M-45WILLIAM SHARPE 1742-1818Member of Continental & provincial congresses; was first legislator to advocate U.N.C., 1784. Grave is 2 miles east.
Jackson County
Lenoir County
Lincoln County
- L-22BATTLE OF COWAN'S FORDCornwallis, pursuing Greene, crossed the Catawba, 7 mi. w., after sharp fight, Feb. 1, 1781.
- O-3BATTLE OF RAMSOUR'S MILLPatriot militia led by Col. Francis Locke, on June 20, 1780, defeated Tories led by Maj. John Moore 400 yards west.
- O-45J. G. ARENDSNative German, pioneer teacher and minister, ordained 1775, first president of the N.C. Lutheran Synod, 1803. Grave a fe...
Macon County
Martin County
McDowell County
- N-41CANE CREEKPrelude to the Battle of Kings Mountain. Site of a skirmish on Sept. 12, 1780, between Loyalists and "Overmountain Men."
- N-26CATHEY'S FORTA rendezvous for the North Carolina militia led by General Griffith Rutherford against the Cherokee in 1776, was one mil...
- N-31FRONTIER FORTEarly outpost against Indians. Used by Gen. Rutherford in expedition against Cherokee, Sept., 1776. Stood nearby and gav...
Mecklenburg County
- L-18BATTLE OF CHARLOTTECornwallis's army captured Charlotte after a fight here with Davie's troops, Sept. 26, 1780.
- L-115MECKLENBURG RESOLVESBold set of anti-British resolutions, adopted on May 31, 1775, in meeting 50 yards S.W. organized by Thomas Polk, fired ...
- L-19NATHANAEL GREENE 1742-1786Replaced Horatio Gates as leader of American army opposing Lord Cornwallis. He assumed command in Charlotte, Dec. 3, 178...
- L-23WILLIAM LEE DAVIDSONWhig general, was killed at Cowan's Ford, Feb. 1, 1781. Davidson College and Davidson County are named for him.
Montgomery County
Moore County
- K-9ALSTON HOUSEPhilip Alston's Whigs were defeated there by David Fanning's Tories, 1781. Later the home of Benj. Williams, Governor, 1...
- K-47JOHN BETHUNEEarly pastor for Scots in N.C.; chaplain for Loyalists at Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, 1776. First Presbyterian minist...
- K-36TORY RENDEZVOUSBefore going to battle of Moore's Creek Bridge, Feb., 1776, Tories of this area met in Cross Hill, at Alexander Morrison...
Nash County
New Hanover County
Northampton County
Onslow County
Orange County
- G-131CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, 1788Delegates debated U.S. Constitution, July 21-Aug. 4, 1788, & voted to delay ratification until bill of rights was added....
- G-10FRANCIS NASHPatriot general in American Revolution, was mortally wounded at Germantown, 1777. His home is 150 yds. W.
- G-88NORTH CAROLINA SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATIFormed Oct. 23, 1783, in Hillsborough, by officers of the Continental Line. First President was General Jethro Sumner.
- G-16THOMAS BURKEGovernor of N.C., was captured in Hillsboro by David Fanning and his Tories, Sept. 12, 1781, and taken to Charleston, S....
- G-3THOMAS BURKEGovernor, 1781-82. Member of Revolutionary, Provincial, & Continental Congresses. Grave is 1 1/2 miles N.E.
- G-92UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILLFirst state university to open its doors, 1795. Chartered in 1789 under the Constitution of 1776.
- G-4WILLIAM HOOPER 1742-1790One of North Carolina's three signers of the Declaration of Independence. His home is 150 yds. W. Was buried a few yds. ...
Pender County
- D-10ALEXANDER LILLINGTONRevolutionary leader, Whig colonel in the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, 1776. His grave is 9 miles northeast.
- D-26JAMES MOORECommander of Whigs in Moore's Creek campaign, 1776, brigadier general North Carolina troops at Charleston. Died 1777. Hi...
- D-6MOORE'S CREEK BRIDGEFirst battle of the Revolution in North Carolina, Feb. 27, 1776. Tories defeated. U.S. Military Park, 5 mi. S.W.
- D-106TIMOTHY BLOODWORTHU.S. Senator, 1795-1801; member, U.S. House, in First Congress, 1790-91. Opposed ratification of U.S. Constitution, 1788...
Person County
Polk County
Randolph County
Richmond County
Robeson County
Rockingham County
Rowan County
- L-47ANDREW JACKSONStudied law under Spruce Macay, 1784-85, at an office which stood 1 bl. W. Admitted to the bar in Rowan County, Nov. 6, ...
- L-15JOHN STEELECongressman, 1789-93, Comptroller of the United States Treasury, Federalist party leader. Home stands 2 blocks east.
- L-41THIRD CREEK CHURCHPresbyterian. Founded before 1789. Present building erected 1835. Stands 2 miles north.
- L-24TRADING FORDOn famous trading path used by Indians and early settlers. There Greene, retreating from Cornwallis, crossed on Feb. 2, ...
Rutherford County
Sampson County
Stanly County
Stokes County
Surry County
Union County
- L-110CAMP NEW PROVIDENCEEncampment, Oct.-Dec. 1780, of N.C. militia & Continental Army, where Patriots laid plans to confront Cornwallis. Site w...
- L-16CORNWALLISFirst led his army into North Carolina near here, Sept. 1780. After Battle of Kings Mountain, Oct. 7, he returned to S.C...
- L-94DAVIE'S ATTACKCavalry led by William R. Davie attacked and dispersed band of Tories, September 20, 1780, at the plantation of James Wa...
Vance County
Wake County
Warren County
- E-44BENJAMIN HAWKINSMember Continental Congress, United States Senator, 1789-1795, U.S. Indian Agent to the Creek Nation, 1796-1816. Home wa...
- E-17JETHRO SUMNERBrigadier general in the Revolution. Commanded N.C. forces from 1781. A planter, he operated a tavern near here
- E-36WARRENTON MALE ACADEMYStood here. Chartered 1787, named Warrenton High School, 1898. Since 1923 a public school.