Writers, artists and musicians
Novelists, poets, journalists, painters, architects and musicians. 150 places on the trail.
Colonial North Carolina, 1585-1774
- J-25'LAND OF EDEN'Near here ran southern line of estate of Wm. Byrd, Virginia planter, author, and surveyor of Va.-N.C. boundary line, 172...
- J-7'LAND OF EDEN'20,000-acre estate of William Byrd, Virginia planter, author, surveyor of Va.-N.C. line, 1728. S.W. corner here.
- C-3FIRST PRINTING PRESS IN N.C.Est. 1749 by James Davis who published the first book & newspaper in colony. Shop was nearby.
- G-86HENRY PATTILLO 1726-1801Presbyterian minister; legislator; author of textbooks. Served many churches in Virginia & North Carolina. Home & school...
- F-3JOHN LAWSONAuthor of "History of Carolina," explorer, and Surveyor-General, was executed Sept. 20, 1711, by Tuscarora Indians at Ca...
- K-43JOHN MACRAEGaelic poet. Emigrated from Scotland in 1774. Loyalist during the Revolution. His home stood 2 1/2 miles south.
- G-106NUTBUSH ADDRESSDocument issued June 6, 1765, protesting abuses by local officials. Later spurred the Regulator movement. Author, George...
- K-64REDNAP HOWELL d. 1787Regulator leader & poet. He wrote satirical songs motivating opposition to abusive officials. Fought at Battle of Alaman...
Revolution and founding, 1775-1789
The young state, 1790-1860
- L-74'MILL HILL'Early example of Greek Revival architecture in South. Built, circa 1821, by Jacob Stirewalt. House stands one mile south...
- A-49'SCOTCH HALL'Plantation setting for the novel "Bertie" by George R. Throop (1851), tutor in the family of Geo. W. Capehart. House bui...
- A-74'WINDSOR CASTLE'Built 1858 by Patrick H. Winston, Jr. Birthplace of sons George T., educator; Francis D., lt. gov., 1905-1909; & Robert ...
- H-72ABRAHAM RENCHERCongressman; Minister to Portugal; Governor of the Territory of New Mexico, 1857-1861; poet and essayist. Buried two blo...
- J-5CALVIN H. WILEY 1819-1887First Superintendent of N.C. Common Schools, 1853-1865. Author, editor. Born 1 1/2 miles northeast.
- N-24COLLETT LEVENTHORPEConfederate general, physician, author. Born in England, settled in North Carolina about 1847. Grave is 150 yds. north.
- H-7DOROTHEA DIX HOSPITALAuthorized 1849, largely through work of Dorothea L. Dix, crusader for better care of the mentally ill. 500 yards southw...
- H-99GALES FAMILYJoseph, Raleigh Register founder, 1799; his wife Winifred, early novelist; sons Joseph and Weston, editors, lived 2 blks...
- H-108GEORGE MOSES HORTONSlave poet. His The Hope of Liberty (1829) was first book by a black author in South. Lived on farm 2 mi. SE.
- M-51HARDIN TALIAFERRO 1811-1875Humorist, minister, and editor. Wrote Fisher's River Scenes (1859), a collection of folk tales with local settings. He w...
- A-72HARRIET JACOBS c. 1813-1897Fugitive slave, writer, & abolitionist. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (1861) depicts her early life. Lived in Ed...
- E-14HORACE GREELEY 1811-1872Journalist & politician was married in Emmanuel Church on July 5, 1836, to Mary Youngs Cheney.
- E-86JACOB W. HOLT 1811-1880A chief architect-builder in town's 1845-61 boom era; worked in Greek Revival & Italianate styles. Home stands 1 block e...
- A-18JOHN H. WHEELERHistorian, legislator, superintendent U.S. Mint at Charlotte, state treasurer, minister to Nicaragua, born 1806 in brick...
- H-55JOHN L. TAYLOR 1769-1829First Chief Justice of N.C. Supreme Court, 1819-1829; author of numerous legal works. Grave is 1/2 mi. E. Home is 1 mi. ...
- D-64JOHNSON JONES HOOPEREditor and humorist, creator of "Simon Suggs" and other characters of the Southern frontier. Born in this city, 1815.
- E-42LEMUEL BURKITTPastor Sandy Run Baptist Church, 1773-1807. A founder & historian, Kehukee Baptist Assn.; member N.C. convention, 1788. ...
- A-38LEMUEL SAWYERAuthor of "Blackbeard, a Comedy," 1824, an early drama on North Carolina, & other works. Member of Congress. Grave 160 y...
- G-70ROBERT PAINELeader in organization of Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1845. Bishop, president of LaGrange College, Ala., & author...
- I-26ROBERT STRANGEU.S. Senator, 1836-40; author of "Eoneguski, or Cherokee Chief," first novel about North Carolina (1839). Home and grave...
- Q-50SILAS McDOWELL 1795-1879Botanical and historical writer; horticulturist. Originated concept of a temperate "thermal belt." Home stood 1/5 mi. W.
- H-4STATE CAPITOLBuilt 1833-40. Ithiel Towne, A. J. Davis and David Paton, architects. First State House built here, 1796; burned, 1831.
- I-61THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVEROldest N.C. newspaper still being published. Begun 1816 as weekly; daily since 1896. E. J. Hale, editor, 1824-1865.
- G-26THOMAS H. BENTONUnited States Senator from Missouri, 1821-1851; Congressman; author; Jacksonian Democratic leader; was born, 1782, in th...
- I-2U.S. ARSENALAuthorized by Congress, 1836. Taken over by Confederacy, 1861. Destroyed March 1865, by Sherman. Ruins stand 2 blocks S....
- H-69WILLIAM BOYLANPresident of Raleigh and Gaston Railroad; president of the State Bank; publisher of the Raleigh "Minerva" 1803-1810. Hom...
- C-6WILLIAM GASTON 1778-1844Justice of N.C. Supreme Court, 1833-44; lawmaker. An advocate for state's Catholics. Wrote state song, "The Old North St...
- H-92WILLIAM W. HOLDEN 1818-1892Editor. Appointed provisional governor, 1865. Elected governor, 1868; impeached and removed, 1871. Home stood here.
Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877
- E-51'COLONIAL CHURCHYARD'Graves of Confederate general Junius Daniel, editor Abraham Hodge, U.S. District Judge John Sitgreaves, are 1 bl. N.E.
- E-77EDWIN WILEY FULLERPoet and novelist, 1847-1876, born in Louisburg. Wrote The Angel in the Cloud and Sea Gift. House is 4 blocks West.
- M-33HINTON R. HELPERAuthor of The Impending Crisis, a bitterly controversial book which denounced slavery; U.S. Consul at Buenos Aires, 1861...
- A-44JOHN W. MOORECompiler of roster of North Carolina troops, 1861-1865, historian, novelist, Confederate major. His birthplace, "Mulberr...
- J-47O. P. FITZGERALD 1829-1911Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, 1890-1911; editor; author; education official in California. Born nearby...
- F-54P. D. GOLD 1833-1920Primitive Baptist leader & for 50 years editor of Zion's Landmark. Office & home was 1/2 blk. NE.
- P-3RIVERSIDE CEMETERYGraves of Thomas Wolfe & "O. Henry," authors; Zebulon B. Vance, governor; Thomas L. Clingman and Robert R. Reynolds, U.S...
- M-48THOMAS C. DULA 1844-1868"Tom Dooley" of popular legend and song. Hanged in Statesville for the murder of Laura Foster. Grave is 1 1/2 mi. S.W.
- D-75WILMINGTON MORNING STAREstablished Sept. 23, 1867. Oldest daily newspaper in continuous publication in North Carolina. First office was 18 bloc...
The New South, 1878-1929
- L-14'CHRISTIAN REID' 1846-1920Pen name of Frances Fisher Tiernan, author of Land of the Sky and other novels. Her grave is 200 yards N.W.
- J-78ALBION W. TOURGEE 1838-1905Writer, judge, & Union army officer. Member, constitutional convention, 1868. Lived 2 blocks S.
- H-119ANNA J. COOPER 1858-1964Educator, orator, & early black feminist. Graduate, St. Augustine's. Author, A Voice from the South (1892). Grave 2 1/2 ...
- B-13AUGUSTIN DALY 1838-1899A founder of American theater, he worked as playwright and drama critic. Opened Daly’s Theater in New York, 1879. Born 3...
- P-66BALLADRYEnglish folklorist Cecil Sharp in 1916 collected ballads in the "Laurel Country." Jane Gentry, who supplied many of the ...
- C-70BAYARD WOOTTEN 1875-1959Pioneer photographer of N.C. and the South. An advocate of equal rights for women. Began career ca. 1904 in this house w...
- G-85BULL CITY BLUESDuring the 1920s-1940s, Durham was home to African American musicians whose work defined a distinctive regional style. B...
- J-118CAPUS WAYNICK 1889-1986Newspaperman and public official; ambassador to Nicaragua and Colombia; adviser to governor on racial affairs, 1963-64. ...
- P-75CARL SANDBURG 1878-1967"Poet of the People," Lincoln biographer, & Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Lived, 1945-67, at "Connemara," 1/3 mi. W.
- O-62CHARLES H. MEBANESuperintendent of Public Instruction, 1897-1901; president of Catawba College, 1901-04; newspaper editor. Home 3 blocks ...
- F-55CHARLES LEE COON 1868-1927Educational reformer, historian and author. Secty. of Child Labor Committee, 1904-1916. Home was 1/2 blk. west.
- H-103CHARLES N. HUNTER 1852-1931Black teacher, writer, & reformer. Principal, Berry O'Kelly School; a founder, N.C. Industrial Assoc. Lived 1 block S.
- I-32CHARLES W. CHESNUTT 1858-1932Lawyer and writer whose novels and short stories dealt with race and the “color line.” Teacher & principal, 1880-83 at a...
- H-101CLARENCE POE 1881-1964Editor and publisher of the Progressive Farmer, 1903-1954. Social and agricultural reformer. Lived 400 yards S.E.
- L-48D. A. TOMPKINS 1851-1914Crusader for southern industrial development, manufacturer, engineer, author, and publisher. Grave is 1/2 mile north.
- P-6EDGAR W. ('BILL') NYE 1850-1896Humorist and journalist. Retired to N.C., 1891. Lived at "Buck Shoals," 3 1/2 mi. W. His grave is one mile north.
- H-90EDWARD A. JOHNSON 1860-1944Politician, businessman, philanthropist, author, and educator. First black to publish a N.C. textbook. Home was here.
- N-25ELLIOTT DAINGERFIELD 1859-1932Artist, teacher, author. His paintings hang in the National Gallery, Metropolitan Museum, and other galleries. His home ...
- H-117EXECUTIVE MANSIONOfficial residence, N.C. governors, it was completed 1891 on Burke Square using prison labor. Architects, A.G. Bauer & S...
- H-110FANNIE E. S. HECK 1862-1915Social activist; writer. Led the Baptist Woman's Missionary Union after 1892. A benefactor of present Meredith College. ...
- P-30FORSTER A. SONDLEY 1857-1931Historian, lawyer, and bibliophile. Gave to Asheville the Sondley Reference Library. His home is 2.7 mi. north.
- H-88HENRY A. LONDON 1846-1918Lawyer, state senator. Author of 1901 "London Libel Law." Editor of Chatham Record, 1878-1918. Home was here.
- D-50HENRY BACON 1866-1924Architect of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington and many other public structures. Home is here, grave, Oakdale Cemetery.
- G-58HENRY JEROME STOCKARDPoet, author of "Fugitive Lines" and other works; lifelong educator; president of Peace Institute, 1907-12. Home stood h...
- Q-41HORACE KEPHARTAuthor of "Our Southern Highlanders" (1913) and other works, naturalist, librarian. Grave 3/10 mi. S.W. Mt. Kephart, 30 ...
- A-78INGLIS FLETCHER 1879-1969Novelist. Wrote Raleigh's Eden (1940), first of 12-volume "Carolina Series," based on early N.C. history. Her home, "Ban...
- L-43J. P. CALDWELLEditor of Statesville "Landmark" (1880-92), Charlotte "Observer" (1892-1909). His home stood at this point.
- M-19J. P. CALDWELLEditor of Statesville "Landmark" (1880-92), Charlotte "Observer" (1892-1909). His home was two blocks north.
- K-60JACQUES AND JULIANA BUSBEEArtists, ushered old folk pottery tradition into the modern era. Est. in 1922 Jugtown Pottery 3 miles NE.
- K-30JAMES BOYD 1888-1944Author of Drums (1925), Marching On (1927), and other historical novels. Home, "Weymouth," now an arts center, 3/10 mi. ...
- M-55JAMES LARKIN PEARSON 1879-1981Poet Laureate of N.C., 1953-1981; printer and editor. Published newspaper, The Fool-Killer, 1910-29. Grave 5 mi. S.
- D-51JAMES SPRUNTAuthor of "Chronicles of the Cape Fear River" (1914), cotton merchant, philanthropist, British vice consul. His home sta...
- P-32JETER C. PRITCHARDUnited States Senator, 1895-1903, Republican leader, newspaperman, federal judge. His home is 3/10 mile east; grave is 1...
- E-85JOHN C. DANCY 1857-1920Editor of A.M.E. Zion Church papers; orator; a delegate to Methodist world conference; customs collector of Wilmington. ...
- I-3JOHN CHARLES McNEILLNotable North Carolina poet, 1874-1907. House in which he was born restored at his burial site 1 1/2 miles west.
- E-95JOHN SPENCER BASSETTHistorian. Professor at Trinity College, 1894-1906. Secretary, Amer. Historical Association, 1919-1928. Born here.
- E-114JOHN WILLIAMSON 1846-1911Former slave. Member, legislature, six terms; newspaper publisher & advocate of education. Grave is 1/2 mile west.
- B-24JOSEPHUS DANIELSSecretary of the Navy, 1913-21; Ambassador to Mexico; editor; author. Birthplace stood here.
- H-39JOSEPHUS DANIELS 1862-1948Secretary of the Navy, 1913-21; ambassador to Mexico; author; editor, News and Observer. His home was here.
- C-69MARINE RESEARCHThe marine environment in this vicinity has long attracted researchers. In the 1880s Johns Hopkins University operated a...
- J-1O. HENRYWilliam Sydney Porter, 1862-1910, short story writer, lived in a house which stood near here.
- P-78OLIVE TILFORD DARGAN 1869-1968Writer of fiction and poetry. "Fielding Burke," her pen name. Author of Call Home the Heart and Highland Annals. Home, 1...
- A-85ROBERT LEE VANN 1879-1940African American editor, lawyer, and civil rights advocate. Led Pittsburgh Courier, 1910-1940. He was born 4 miles east.
- D-108ROBERT R. TAYLOR 1868-1942Pioneer black architect. Taught, designed buildings at Tuskegee, 1893-1933. Housing projects bore his name. Lived 3 bloc...
- F-57SALLIE S. COTTEN 1846-1929Writer and advocate of women's rights. Helped organize N.C. Federation of Women's Clubs, 1902. Lived one mile south.
- N-36SHEPHERD M. DUGGERAuthor of The Balsam Groves of the Grandfather Mountain, 1892; educator and humorist. Grave one block South.
- O-2SIDNEY LANIERSouthern poet, died in this house, September 7, 1881.
- A-40STEPHEN B. WEEKSHistorian, bibliographer, collector of North Carolina books and manuscripts, professor at Trinity College, 1891-93. Birt...
- G-50STEPHEN B. WEEKSHistorian, bibliographer, collector of North Carolina books and manuscripts, professor at Trinity College, 1891-93. Grav...
- O-72THOMAS DIXON, JR. 1864-1946Minister, politician, & author. Film "Birth of a Nation" was based on his novel The Clansman. Grave is 1500 ft. N.
- H-79THOMAS R. JERNIGAN 1847-1920U.S. negotiator in China for 30 years. Consul in Japan and China. Editor, author, and lawyer. His home was 2 blocks E.
- P-17THOMAS WOLFEAuthor of "Look Homeward Angel" (1929), "Of Time and the River," and other works. Home stands 200 yards N., birthplace 5...
- E-40W. L. SAUNDERSEditor "Colonial Records of North Carolina," Confederate colonel, N.C. Secretary of State, 1879-91. His grave is four bl...
- A-83W. O. SAUNDERS 1884-1940Writer and editorialist. In his The Independent, 1908-1937, championed causes, promoted region. Office was 50 yds. E.
- E-43WALTER CLARK 1846-1924Champion of liberalism. Member, State Supreme Court, 1889-1924; Chief Justice, 1902-24. Editor, State Records of N.C. Ho...
- H-20WALTER HINES PAGE 1855-1918Journalist, editor, and publisher. Ambassador to Great Britain, 1913-1918. His birthplace stood 400 yards north.
- H-49WILLIAM E. DODD 1869-1940Ambassador to Germany, 1933-37; professor and writer of U.S. history. He was born 2 mi. N.E.
- D-118WILMINGTON COUPArmed white mob met at armory here, Nov. 10, 1898. Marched six blocks and burned office of Daily Record, black-owned new...
Modern North Carolina, 1930 on
- L-88A. R. NEWSOME 1894-1951Educator, author, editor; Sec'y of N.C. Historical Commission, 1926-35. Birthplace 1 block east.
- H-122AVA GARDNER 1922-1990An actress in 67 films, from 1941 to 1986. An Academy Award nominee; Johnston County native. Gravesite 100 yards W.
- E-109BERNICE KELLY HARRIS 1891-1973Novelist, playwright, & storyteller of rural eastern N.C. Author, Purslane (1939), Sweet Beulah Land (1943). Grave 600 y...
- G-125BILLY STRAYHORN 1915-1967Jazz composer & pianist. Wrote "Take the A Train" and other songs for Duke Ellington Orchestra. Boyhood home site 1/4 mi...
- H-105C. C. CRITTENDEN 1902-1969Historian, archivist, & editor. Promoted "History for all the people" as head of N.C.'s state historical agency, 1935-19...
- J-93CHARLIE POOLE 1892-1931Pioneer country music recording artist. With N.C. Ramblers, 1918-31, popularized old-time music. Grave 1/2 mi. SW.
- O-48CLYDE R. HOEYUnited States Senator, 1945-54, congressman, governor, N.C. legislator, lawyer, editor. Home is 1 mi., grave 1.2 mi., N....
- F-73ELIZABETH GOLD SWINDELL 1896-1983Journalist. Publisher of the Wilson Daily Times, 1956-1983. First woman to lead the N.C. Press Assoc. Lived here.
- C-78ERVIN T. ROUSE 1917-1981Fiddler and songwriter. Penned widely-recorded "Orange Blossom Special," bluegrass standard (1938). He was born 1/4 mile...
- A-86F. ROY JOHNSON 1911-1988Folklorist and publisher. Left newspapering 1962 to chronicle folkways & peoples of northeastern N.C. Office stood here.
- Q-53FONTANA DAMConstructed, 1942-1944, by the Tennessee Valley Authority. At 480 feet tallest dam in eastern U.S. One mile north.
- E-108FRANK ARMSTRONG 1898-1969Lt. Gen., U.S. Air Force. Led first U.S. bombing raids on Germany, 1943. Inspired Twelve O'Clock High, novel & film. Boy...
- P-99GEORGE MASA d. 1933Japanese photographer. Born Masahara Iizuka. Advocate of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Appalachian Trail. His ...
- I-85GERALD JOHNSON 1890-1980Journalist and author. Progressive observer of the South and politics. Moved to Baltimore in 1926. Born 1 mile E.
- L-112HARRY GOLDEN 1902-1981Journalist, humorist, & civil rights advocate. He published, 1944-68, The Carolina Israelite. He lived one block N.E.
- Q-54HIWASSEE DAMBuilt by the Tennessee Valley Authority, 1936-40, to provide flood control and electricity. Dam is 307 ft. tall. 5 mi. N...
- M-54HUGH T. LEFLER 1901-1981Preeminent historian of North Carolina, author, & editor. Professor at UNC, 1935-1972. His birthplace is one mile east.
- B-56JAMES ADAMS FLOATING THEATREToured coastal towns, 1913-1941. Edna Ferber's 1925 visit to ship, then docked nearby, was basis for her novel Show Boat...
- K-31JOHN COLTRANE 1926-1967Jazz saxophonist and composer; influential stylist. Work spanned bebop to avant garde. Born one block S.W.
- E-96JOSEPH BLOUNT CHESHIRE, JR.Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of N.C., 1893-1932; lawyer & writer. Birthplace is one block W.; grave 100 yards S.
- H-59JOSIAH W. BAILEYUnited States Senator, 1931-1946. A Baptist leader and editor of "The Biblical Recorder." Home was here.
- H-94LAMAR STRINGFIELD 1897-1959Musician and composer. First conductor of the N.C. Symphony, 1932-38. Boyhood home 3 blks. E.
- N-14LESLEY RIDDLE 1905-1979Old-time musician and song collector. African American, he collaborated with the Carter Family, 1928-37. Grave 1/4 mi. S...
- E-126LOUIS AUSTIN 1898-1971African American editor. Published Durham-based Carolina Times, 1927-71. An advocate of social justice and civil rights....
- G-135NAVY B-1 BANDIn May 1942 a group of 44 African American musicians broke U.S. Navy's color barrier, enlisting at general rank. Barrack...
- H-114PAUL GREEN 1894-1981Playwright, teacher, & humanitarian. Awarded Pulitzer Prize, 1927. His 16 outdoor dramas included The Lost Colony (1937)...
- G-48PAULI MURRAY 1910-1985First African American female Episcopal priest; lawyer, activist, poet, & human rights champion. Wrote Proud Shoes, 1956...
- E-106PLUMMER BERNARD YOUNGJournalist. Publisher of Norfolk Journal & Guide, 1910-1962, leading black-owned newspaper in the South. Birthplace near...
- F-39R. D. W. CONNORFirst Archivist of the U.S., 1934-41. Secretary of the N.C. Historical Commission, historian, author, and teacher. His b...
- J-56RANDALL JARRELL 1914-1965Poet & literary critic of national acclaim. Taught at UNC-Greensboro from 1947 to 1965. His grave is 120 yards southwest...
- D-93ROBERT RUARK 1915-1965Columnist and author. His 1957 novel The Old Man and the Boy based on childhood visits with grandparents 1 block W.
- L-113ROMARE BEARDEN 1911-1988African American artist and writer. Many of his collages were inspired by childhood memories of N.C. Born 1 block N.W.
- E-119THELONIOUS MONK 1917-1982Jazz pianist, composer, and architect of bebop. Wrote “’Round Midnight” (1944). Born 1 mile S.
- O-71W. J. CASH 1900-1941Author of The Mind of The South. Editor & journalist. His grave is located 1600 ft. N.
- P-89ZELDA FITZGERALDWriter, artist, Jazz Age icon; wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald. In 1948, she and 8 other patients died in fire at Highland H...
Battlefields, sites and undated markers
- P-80BASCOM LAMAR LUNSFORD"Minstrel of Appalachia." Folklorist, collector, & performer. Pioneered and promoted American folk festivals. Was born h...
- L-40D. H. HILLLieutenant General, C.S.A.; Supt. N.C. Military Institute in Charlotte; Davidson College professor; Editor, "The Land We...
- L-54DAVID F. HOUSTONSecretary of Agriculture and later of the Treasury under Wilson. College president and author. His birthplace stood 60 y...
- A-34DR. HUGH WILLIAMSONSigner of the Federal Constitution, member of Congress, historian. Home was 4 blocks S.E.
- B-28DeMILLE FAMILYHome of motion picture producer Cecil B. DeMille & his father, playwright Henry C. DeMille, stood five blocks west.
- G-103J. G. de ROULHAC HAMILTONHistorian, professor, & founder of the Southern Historical Collection at UNC. Born 1/2 block W.
- G-64MOSES A. CURTISBotanist, authority on North American flora, author, and Episcopal minister. Home was two blocks east.
- K-1WALTER HINES PAGEAmbassador to Great Britain during World War, journalist, editor, publisher. Tomb one mile east.
- D-9WHISTLER'S MOTHERAnna McNeill Whistler, the mother of James Whistler, artist, was born in a house which stood one block east.
- P-65WOLFE'S ANGELMarble statue from the Asheville shop of W. O. Wolfe. Inspired title of son Thomas Wolfe's Look Homeward Angel. Stands 1...