Roads, rivers and rails
Trading paths, wagon roads, ferries, canals, railroads, ports and lighthouses. 133 places on the trail.
Colonial North Carolina, 1585-1774
- D-54BRUNSWICKFounded c. 1725, long a principal port of N.C., site of Spanish attack, 1748, and of Stamp Act resistance, 1766. Later a...
- I-54CAMPBELTONColonial river port, incorporated in 1762. Later merged with Cross Creek to form the town of Fayetteville.
- A-25FIRST POST ROADThe road from New England to Charleston, over which mail was first carried regularly in North Carolina, 1738-39, passed ...
- A-24FIRST POST ROADThe road from New England to Charleston, over which mail was first carried regularly in North Carolina, 1738-39, passed ...
- B-21FIRST POST ROADThe road from New England to Charleston, over which mail was first carried regularly in North Carolina, 1738-39, passed ...
- C-22FIRST POST ROADThe road from New England to Charleston, over which mail was first carried regularly in North Carolina, 1738-39, passed ...
- C-28FIRST POST ROADThe road from New England to Charleston, over which mail was first carried regularly in North Carolina, 1738-39, passed ...
- D-30FIRST POST ROADThe road from New England to Charleston, over which mail was first carried regularly in North Carolina, 1738-39, passed ...
- A-27MACKEYS FERRYEstablished 1735 over Albemarle Sound, succeeding Bells Ferry. Discontinued in 1938. Northern terminus was four blocks s...
- B-22MACKEYS FERRYEstablished 1735 over Albemarle Sound, succeeding Bells Ferry. Discontinued in 1938. Southern terminus was 3 miles north...
- G-33OCCANEECHIVillage of Occaneechi Indians on the Great Trading Path. Inhabited ca. 1680-1710. Visited in 1701 by the explorer John L...
- C-4OCRACOKE INLETOnce chief trade inlet of N.C. In 1718 pirate "Blackbeard" was killed near there, 17 mi. N.E., across Pamlico Sound.
- B-60PORT FERDINANDORoanoke voyages, 1585-1590, based operations at inlet near here. Long closed, it was named for pilot Simon Fernandes.
- B-62PORT OF BATHColony's first town, incorporated March 8, 1705. Home to first port of entry, 1716; exported naval stores.
- C-23STREETS FERRYEstablished near here before 1730 by Richard Graves. Named for later owner Samuel Street. Replaced by bridge, 1961.
Revolution and founding, 1775-1789
- D-10ALEXANDER LILLINGTONRevolutionary leader, Whig colonel in the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, 1776. His grave is 9 miles northeast.
- K-39COLSON'S SUPPLY DEPOTFortified Revolutionary depot built 1781 to protect supplies and arms of Gen. Nathanael Greene. Trenches are 4 1/2 miles...
- K-47JOHN BETHUNEEarly pastor for Scots in N.C.; chaplain for Loyalists at Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, 1776. First Presbyterian minist...
- B-35LAKE COMPANYJosiah Collins, Sr., and partners drained part of 100,000-acre tract near Lake Phelps with 6-mile canal, completed 1788;...
- 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 ...
- 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.
- F-31PEACOCK'S BRIDGEHere Lt. Col. Tarleton's British dragoons and Colonel James Gorham's militia engaged in a skirmish, May, 1781.
- C-44PORT SWANNSBOROUGHNamed for Samuel Swann. Town incorporated in 1783. Port, including area from New River to Bogue Inlet, established in 17...
- K-36TORY RENDEZVOUSBefore going to battle of Moore's Creek Bridge, Feb., 1776, Tories of this area met in Cross Hill, at Alexander Morrison...
- L-24TRADING FORDOn famous trading path used by Indians and early settlers. There Greene, retreating from Cornwallis, crossed on Feb. 2, ...
The young state, 1790-1860
- C-54'PROMETHEUS'First steamboat made in N.C. Built in 1818 by Otway Burns, privateer in War of 1812. Shipyard located 350 feet S.W.
- A-76ALBEMARLE AND CHESAPEAKE CANALConstructed 1855-59 by steam dredges to assist commerce. Now part of Intracoastal Waterway. N.C. Cut 5 miles long.
- E-80ANDREW JOYNER 1786-1856Lt. Col. in War of 1812; state senator, 1835-52; pres. Roanoke Navigation Co. & Weldon & Portsmouth R.R. Grave is 2 blks...
- G-9ARCHIBALD DEBOW MURPHEYChampion of a new State through public schools, canals, roads, 1777-1832. Grave 50 yards west.
- G-104ARCHIBALD DEBOW MURPHEY ca. 1777-1832Advocate of improved schools, roads, canals. Jurist, teacher, legislator. Born 7/10 mi. S.
- D-66BALD HEAD LIGHTHOUSEOriginal lighthouse was erected in 1794. Present tower, "Old Baldy," built in 1817. Used until 1935. Stands 3 miles sout...
- J-88BARNETT CANALBuilt near here by James Barnett in 1813. Later powered largest continuously operating textile complex in the northern p...
- J-68BEAN SHOALS CANALAttempted ca. 1820-25 by Hiram Jennings for Yadkin Navigation Co. Hamilton Fulton was consultant. Never completed. Ruins...
- P-77BUNCOMBE TURNPIKEOpened up western N.C. Built, 1824-28; the 75-mi. long route from S.C. line to Tenn. line, used by settlers & livestock ...
- G-43CALVIN GRAVES 1804-1877Speaker of the N.C. House and Senate. He cast deciding vote for North Carolina Railroad, 1849. He lived here.
- B-54CAPE HATTERAS LIGHTHOUSETallest brick lighthouse in nation at 208 feet. Constructed, 1869-1870, to mark Diamond Shoals. Replaced 1802 structure.
- C-24CAPE LOOKOUT LIGHTHOUSEConstructed, 1857-1859, to replace the original 1812 tower. The present lighthouse, standing 150 feet tall, is 4 miles S...
- A-12DISMAL SWAMP CANALConnects Albemarle Sound with Chesapeake Bay. Begun 1790; in use by War of 1812.
- G-13EARLY RAILROADSFirst public meeting to promote railroads in North Carolina, Aug. 1, 1828, was at Wm. Albright's home, which stood 4 mi....
- C-31EDWARD B. DUDLEY 1789-1855Governor, 1836-41, the first in N.C. elected by popular vote, first president of Wilmington and Weldon Railroad. Birthpl...
- D-17EDWARD B. DUDLEY 1789-1855Governor, 1836-41, the first in N.C. elected by popular vote; first president of Wilmington and Weldon Railroad. His hom...
- H-22EXPERIMENTAL RAILROADEst. 1833. Horses hauled granite for the Capitol over a railroad from a quarry 1 1/4 miles S.E.
- E-32FIRST RAILROADThe first railroad in the State was completed in 1833 from Petersburg, Va., to Blakely, on the Roanoke River, a short di...
- C-9FORT MACONBuilt 1826-34 to protect Beaufort Inlet. Replaced Fort Hampton. State park. 5 1/2 miles southeast.
- Q-32INDIAN BOUNDARYNear here the highway crosses Meigs-Freeman Line, surveyed in 1802, boundary between whites & Cherokees until 1819.
- J-4JOHN MOTLEY MOREHEAD 1796-1866Governor, 1841-45. An advocate for railroads & industrial development. Lived at Blandwood.
- K-35JOHN W. THOMAS 1800-1871Founder of Thomasville. As legislator led fight for N.C. Railroad; friend of education. His home, Cedar Lodge, was nearb...
- O-37JOSHUA FORMANFounder of Syracuse, N.Y., early advocate of Erie Canal. Moved to N. Carolina, 1829. Land and mining speculator. Grave i...
- H-52L. O'B. BRANCHConfederate brigadier general; president of Raleigh and Gaston Railroad, 1852-55; member of Congress, 1855-61. Home here...
- J-46LEVI COFFIN 1798-1877A Quaker abolitionist; guided slaves on paths to freedom as leader of Underground Railroad. Was born ca. 4 mi. N.
- I-88LEWIS LEARY 1835-1859Free black abolitionist & conspirator in 1859 with John Brown in attack on U.S. arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Killed in assa...
- F-12NORTH CAROLINA RAILROADBuilt by the State, 1851-56, from Goldsboro to Charlotte. Eastern terminus a few yards N.
- G-89NORTH CAROLINA RAILROADCompany Shops built here in 1857 for maintenance and repair of the N.C. Railroad. Closed in 1866.
- J-102NORTH CAROLINA RAILROADOpened interior of N.C. The ground-breaking took place nearby, July 11, 1851. First president, John Motley Morehead.
- B-55OCRACOKE LIGHTHOUSEOldest N.C. lighthouse still in service. Erected 1823 to serve Ocracoke Inlet trade. 75 ft. tall. Located 1/4 mile S.W.
- F-16PLANK ROADThe eastern terminus of the Greenville and Raleigh Plank Road, chartered in 1850 and completed to Wilson by 1853, was ne...
- F-17PLANK ROADThe western terminus of the Greenville and Raleigh Plank Road, chartered in 1850 and completed to Wilson by 1853, was ne...
- H-40PLANK ROADThe route of the old Fayetteville-to-Salem plank road, a toll road 129 miles long, built 1849-54, crosses highway near t...
- H-44PLANK ROADThe Cameron-to-Gulf branch (built in 1853) of the Fayetteville and Western Plank Road passed near this spot.
- J-23PLANK ROADThe western terminus of the Fayetteville and Western Plank Road, 129 miles in length, longest in North Carolina, built 1...
- J-24PLANK ROADA section of the Fayetteville-Salem plank road, a toll road 129 miles long, built 1849-1854, followed this route.
- K-25PLANK ROADThe route of the old Fayetteville-to-Salem plank road, a toll road 129 miles long, built 1849-54, crosses the highway ne...
- K-26PLANK ROADThis street is the route of the Fayetteville-to-Salem plank road, a toll road 129 miles long, built 1849-54.
- K-27PLANK ROADThis street is the route of the Fayetteville-to-Salem plank road, a toll road 129 miles long, built 1849-54.
- I-21PLANK ROADSFayetteville was the focal point for five plank roads, chartered 1849-52. The longest was built to Bethania, 129 miles n...
- E-22RALEIGH AND GASTON RAILROADChartered 1835, completed 1840. Gaston, its terminal town, now extinct, was 3 mi. N.E.
- H-23RALEIGH AND GASTON RAILROADChartered in 1835 and completed in 1840. Length 85 miles. Its southern terminus was 400 ft. W.
- E-34ROANOKE CANALCanal and locks completed around river rapids, 1834. Highway crosses canal route here. A lock is 200 feet south.
- E-35ROANOKE CANALCanal and locks around river rapids completed 1834 by Roanoke Navigation Company. Highway crosses route of canal at this...
- K-7SNEEDSBOROUGHLaid out 1795. Promoted as inland port town on Pee Dee River by Archibald D. Murphey. Only graveyard remains, five miles...
- B-70USRC MERCURYU.S. Revenue Cutter in War of 1812. Patrolled Ocracoke Inlet. Escaped British ships offshore, 1813, to deliver warning o...
- H-69WILLIAM BOYLANPresident of Raleigh and Gaston Railroad; president of the State Bank; publisher of the Raleigh "Minerva" 1803-1810. Hom...
- D-20WILMINGTON AND WELDON RAILROADLongest railroad in the world when completed in 1840. Length 161 1/2 mi. Terminus was 4 blocks W.
- E-23WILMINGTON AND WELDON RAILROADLongest railroad in the world when completed in 1840. Length 161 1/2 mi. Terminus was nearby.
Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877
- A-8BATTLE OF SOUTH MILLSConfederates, on Apr. 19, 1862, repelled Union army here, prevented demolition of Dismal Swamp Canal locks three miles N...
- E-64BOON'S MILLHere on July 28, 1863, a Confederate force repulsed a Union march on the vital Wilmington and Weldon Railroad. Breastwor...
- J-22CONFEDERATE CABINETMembers of the cabinet, fleeing south, occupied a railroad car near this spot, Apr. 11-15, 1865.
- HHH-22CONFEDERATE WORKSRemains of breastworks on this hill mark a line of works built by the Confederates to protect Mill Creek Bridge.
- B-18FORT BRANCHConfederate fort. Was built, 1862-1863, at Rainbow Banks to protect railroads & upper Roanoke River valley. Earthworks 3...
- D-12FORT FISHERBuilt by Confederacy. Its fall, Jan. 15, 1865, closed Wilmington, last important southern port for blockade running.
- C-41HUGGINS ISLAND FORTConfederate 6-gun fort guarding the entrance to Bogue Inlet; burned by Union troops, Aug. 19, 1862. Remains, 1 mi. S.W.
- HHH-23MILL CREEKThe flooded state of this creek upstream prevented an attack by Wheeler's Confederate cavalry on the rear of Sherman's A...
- HHH-26MOWER'S ATTACKAdvancing toward Mill Creek Bridge, Johnston's only line of retreat, Maj.Gen. J. A. Mower's Union Division broke the Con...
- J-85PIEDMONT RAILROADRailroad line between Greensboro and Danville. Constructed, 1862-1864, for the Confederacy. Its terminus was nearby.
- A-56POTECASI CREEKScene of minor skirmish between Confederate & Union troops driving on Richmond and Weldon Railroad, July 26, 1863. Breas...
- C-77SS PEVENSEYBlockade runner, iron steamer, chased ashore by Union ship, June 9, 1864. Remains lie offshore, 220 yards SE.
- I-69STEAMBOAT TRADENaval stores and lumber were primary cargo on vessels navigating Black River, ca. 1875-1914. Remains of the steamer A.J....
- P-46SWANNANOA TUNNELLongest (1,800 ft.) of 7 on railroad between Old Fort and Asheville. Constructed by convict labor, 1877-79. West entranc...
- HHH-27UNION LINE-- MARCH 21After withdrawing from the advance against Mill Creek Bridge, Mower's Federals reformed here and threw up works. This wa...
- D-58WILLIAM S. ASHERailroad president, congressman, state senator. In charge of Confederate railroad transportation, 1861-62. Home stands 1...
- B-31WRECK OF THE U.S.S. 'HURON'Steamer ran aground on November 24, 1877, near here, killing 98. Tragedy led to improvements in U.S. Livesaving Service.
The New South, 1878-1929
- H-80ALEXANDER B. ANDREWS 1841-1915Railroad builder and financier. Vice-president, Southern Railroad; superintendent, North Carolina Railroad. Home is here...
- N-37ANDREWS GEYSERBuilt ca. 1885 to mark railroad gateway to the Blue Ridge Mts. Restored in 1911 & 1975. Named for A. B. Andrews of Ralei...
- D-115ATLANTIC COAST LINE RAILROADMajor rail line serving Southeast, 1900-67. Led by Wilmington’s C. M. Davis, 1942-57. Offices till 1960 were 3 blks. W.
- OO-2BUNKER HILL COVERED BRIDGEOne of the last surviving covered bridges in North Carolina, built in 1894, stands 500 yards north on Lyles Creek.
- P-86ELECTRIC STREETCARSFirst electric trolley system in N.C. opened, Feb. 1, 1889, bolstering regional tourism. Served train depot 1/4 mile S.E...
- I-84ELWELL FERRYService across Cape Fear River since 1905. Among the last of inland river ferries once common in eastern N.C. One mi. SW...
- J-70FRIES MANUFACTURING AND POWER CO.First producer of hydroelectric power in North Carolina, April 20, 1898. Located 3 mi. S.W. at early ferry crossing.
- K-46HAMLET STATIONBuilt in 1900 to serve Seaboard Air Line Railroad. Depot was major stop for passengers on east-west & north-south rail l...
- G-100HARRIET M. BERRY 1877-1940Champion of good roads. Her intensive lobbying led to 1921 law creating modern state highway system. Born 8 mi. N.
- E-59JIM THORPE 1886-1953Indian athlete, star of the 1912 Olympics, made his professional baseball debut with Rocky Mount Railroaders, 1909. Ball...
- P-22LOCKE CRAIG1860-1924 Governor, 1913-1917. He created the state highway & fisheries commissions, est. Mt. Mitchell State Park. Lived...
- P-72MOUNT MITCHELL RAILROADOpened Black Mountains to logging and tourism. Built, 1911-1914. It ran from point nearby to Camp Alice, 21 mi. NE.
- C-76N. C. STATE HIGHWAY PATROLEst. 1929 in response to increased traffic & accidents. First training school was held here; graduated 27 officers.
- J-38ROBERT B. GLENN 1854-1920Governor, 1905-1909; legislator. Champion of Prohibition and of railroad regulation. Home stood 1 block W.
- M-37RUFUS A. DOUGHTONLegislator, 14 terms. Lt. Governor, 1893-1897. Headed Revenue & Highway Commissions. Was U.N.C. Trustee for 56 yrs. Offi...
- O-73SALUDA GRADEThe steepest, standard gauge, mainline railway grade in the U.S. Opened in 1878; three mi. long. Crests here.
- G-59THOMAS M. HOLTGovernor, 1891-93; cotton mill owner. Sponsor of railroad development and state aid to education. Home stood 350 yards S...
- A-33WRECK OF THE METROPOLISSteamer ran aground, Jan. 31, 1878, killing 85. Tragedy prompted improvements in the U.S. Lifesaving Service. Remains ar...
Modern North Carolina, 1930 on
- G-132ASTRONAUT TRAININGMorehead Planetarium trained NASA astronauts in celestial navigation for Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab missions, 1960-...
- J-73GREENSBORO O.R.D.World War II training camp and overseas replacement depot, 1943-1946. Over 330,000 servicemen were processed here. This ...
- C-73MONTFORD POINTRecruit training depot for black Marines, 1942-1949. In 1974 renamed Camp Johnson for Sgt. Gilbert Johnson, drill instru...
- A-92THAD EURE 1899-1993N.C. Secretary of State, 1936-1989. Advocate for State Highway Patrol. Drafted Speaker Ban law in 1963. Born 2 ½ mi. S.
Battlefields, sites and undated markers
- J-69GREAT WAGON ROADFrontier road from Pennsylvania to Georgia in 18th century. A major avenue for settlers of the N.C. backcountry. Passed ...
- J-91LEAKSVILLE LANDINGPort for bateau trade on Dan River. Improved by Roanoke Navigation Company, 1820s. Ruins visible at low water. 200 yards...
- H-18RAMSEY'S MILLCornwallis, following the battle of Guilford Courthouse, spent several days building a bridge over Deep River, at point ...
- J-90SLINK SHOAL SLUICEDan River improvements built 1820s by Roanoke Navigation Co. include sluice & wing dams 1/4 mi. E. Rebuilt, 1880s.
- H-42SMILEY'S FALLSRuins remain of locks and dams built by the Cape Fear & Deep River Navigation Company in 1850s. Rapids extend upstream 1...
- E-30TRADING PATHColonial trading route, dating from 17th century, from Petersburg, Virginia, to Catawba and Waxhaw Indians in Carolina, ...
- G-31TRADING PATHColonial trading route, dating from 17th century, from Petersburg, Virginia, to Catawba and Waxhaw Indians in Carolina, ...
- G-32TRADING PATHColonial trading route, dating from 17th century, from Petersburg, Virginia, to Catawba and Waxhaw Indians in Carolina p...
- G-34TRADING PATHColonial trading route, dating from 17th century, from Petersburg, Virginia, to the Catawba and Waxhaw Indians in Caroli...
- G-35TRADING PATHColonial trading route, dating from 17th century, from Petersburg, Virginia, to Catawba and Waxhaw Indians in Carolina, ...
- K-18TRADING PATHColonial trading route, dating from 17th century, from Petersburg, Virginia, to the Catawba and Waxhaw Indians in Caroli...
- K-19TRADING PATHColonial trading route, dating from 17th century, from Petersburg, Virginia, to Catawba and Waxhaw Indians in Carolina, ...
- K-20TRADING PATHColonial trading route, dating from 17th century, from Petersburg, Virginia, to Catawba and Waxhaw Indians in Carolina, ...
- K-21TRADING PATHColonial trading route, dating from 17th century, from Petersburg, Virginia, to Catawba and Waxhaw Indians in Carolina, ...
- L-30TRADING PATHColonial trading route dating from 17th century, from Petersburg, Virginia, to the Catawba and Waxhaw Indians in Carolin...
- L-33TRADING PATHColonial trading route started in 17th century; extended from southern Va. to land of Catawba & Waxhaw Indians in N.C. P...
- L-34TRADING PATHColonial trading route, dating from the seventeenth century, from Petersburg, Virginia, to the Waxhaw Indians in Carolin...
- L-35TRADING PATHColonial trading route, dating from the seventeenth century, from Petersburg, Virginia, to the Waxhaw Indians in Carolin...
- L-36TRADING PATHColonial trading route, dating from the seventeenth century, from Petersburg, Virginia, to the Catawba Indians in Caroli...
- L-37TRADING PATHColonial trading route, dating from the seventeenth century, from Petersburg, Virginia, to the Catawba Indians in Caroli...