Smithfield in Johnston County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Ava Gardner
1922 – 1990
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, May 21, 2019
1. Ava Gardner Marker
Erected 2015 by North Carolina Office Of Archives And History. (Marker Number H-122.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Women. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list.
Location. 35° 31.063′ N, 78° 21.518′ W. Marker is in Smithfield, North Carolina, in Johnston County. Marker is on West Market Street (Business U.S. 70) north of State Highway 210, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 690 W Market St, Smithfield NC 27577, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Town of Smithfield (approx. 0.6 miles away); Edward W. Pou (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Town of Smithfield (approx. 0.7 miles away); Hastings House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Occupation of Smithfield (approx. ¾ mile away); Sherman Receives News of Lee's Surrender in Smithfield (approx. 0.8 miles away);
this page online
Also see . . . 20 minute YouTube Documentary — Ava Gardner – Grabtown Girl.
She was a tomboy to the bone and loved taking risks. By age six, she had climbed to the top of the Brogden water tower behind the school. She loved games, she loved action and she could match most of the boys at softball or marbles.(Submitted on August 25, 2021.)
As Ava grew up in rural North Carolina, a metamorphosis took place. She emerged from her tomboy cocoon into a beautiful butterfly. Who would guess that a fateful 1940 trip to New York City — to visit her beloved sister Beatrice — would kickstart Ava’s rise to stardom.
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, May 21, 2019
2. Ava Gardner Marker
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, May 21, 2019
3. Ava Gardner Museum
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, May 21, 2019
4. Ava Gardner Poster Located outside the Ava Gardner Museum
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, May 21, 2019
5. Ava Gardner Poster Located outside the Ava Gardner Museum
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, May 21, 2019
6. Ava Gardner Grave Site
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 393 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on May 9, 2023, by Michael Buckner of Durham, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 2, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
