Sedalia in Guilford County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Athletic Field

Photographed By Paul Jordan, January 1, 2011

1. Athletic Field Marker

Inscription. Palmer students always enjoyed baseball. Team photographs appeared in school bulletins as early as 1916. The field’s original orientation placed home plate and a wooden backstop at the corner of Palmer Farm Road and the highway.

In 1997, Whitsett resident Boyd Toben donated funds to restore the baseball diamond for community youth teams. The restoration relocated home plate and added fencing and bleachers to accommodate today’s baseball and softball teams. It was named for Charles W. Bundrige, Palmer coach, teacher, and fourth president.

Charles W. Bundrige (1921-1997) joined Palmers faculty in 1952. Bundrige graduated from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and served in the 183rd Engineer Combat Army Battalion during World War II. Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown hired him while he attended graduate school at Duquesne University in Pennsylvania. He taught history and physical education and coached all the boys’ sports. He later served as the school’s business manager and as president until the school closed in 1971.

Bundrige’s commitment to Palmer Memorial Institute continued when he helped establish the campus as a North Carolina State Historic Site and served as vice-president of the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Historical Foundation, the site’s private, non-profit support group.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 36° 3.985′ N, 79° 37.232′ W. Marker is in Sedalia, North Carolina, in Guilford County. Marker is at the intersection of US Highway 70 and Palmer Farm Road on US Highway 70. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sedalia NC 27342, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. McLean House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Galen L. Stone Hall 1927 (about 400 feet away); Bell Tower (about 500 feet away); Kimball Hall (about 600 feet away); Palmer Memorial Institute (about 800 feet away); Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Memory of Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, 1883 - 1961 (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sedalia.

Photographed By Paul Jordan, January 1, 2011

2. Athletic Field Marker

Charles W. Bundrige image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Paul Jordan, January 1, 2011

3. Charles W. Bundrige

Palmer Baseball Team c. 1925 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Paul Jordan, January 1, 2011

4. Palmer Baseball Team c. 1925

Coach Bundrige with the 1961 Junior Varsity basketball team image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Paul Jordan, January 1, 2011

5. Coach Bundrige with the 1961 Junior Varsity basketball team

Early 1900s Palmer baseball team image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Paul Jordan, January 1, 2011

6. Early 1900s Palmer baseball team

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2011, by Paul Jordan of Burlington, N. C., U. S. A.. This page has been viewed 660 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 17, 2011, by Paul Jordan of Burlington, N. C., U. S. A.. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.