Spencer in Rowan County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Spencer Shops Roundhouse and Turntable

Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark

— 1924 —

Spencer Shops Roundhouse and Turntable Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, December 29, 2016

1. Spencer Shops Roundhouse and Turntable Marker

Inscription. This 37-stall roundhouse and 100-foot turntable built by the Southern Railway are among the few survivors of a distinctive type of locomotive repair facility that was once common across North America. The radial track and turntable arrangement was based on the operational and maintenance needs of steam locomotives, though this facility received modifications after 1950 to service diesels.

While other roundhouses survive, this is among the best preserved examples of a large, modern roundhouse that continues to function as a railroad shop.

Erected 2011 by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the ASME Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 35° 41.197′ N, 80° 26.155′ W. Marker is in Spencer, North Carolina, in Rowan County. It can be reached from South Salisbury Avenue. Marker is located on the grounds of the NC Transportation Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this

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postal address: 411 S Salisbury Ave Spencer NC 28159, Spencer NC 28159, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Norfolk & Western Caboose 555012 (within shouting distance of this marker); Southern Public Utilities Co. 1927 Streetcar #85 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Muscle of Spencer Shops (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Town of Spencer (about 500 feet away); Historic Spencer Shops (approx. 0.2 miles away); Food Lion LLC (approx. 0.2 miles away); Food Lion Trailer No. 893615 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Magnetic Signal Company (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, December 29, 2016

2. Spencer Shops Roundhouse and Turntable Marker

of all markers in Spencer.

Also see . . . Southern Railway Spencer Shops. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on March 7, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, December 29, 2016

3. Spencer Shops Roundhouse and Turntable Marker

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, January 14, 2017

4. Spencer Shops Roundhouse and Turntable Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2017, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 730 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 21, 2017, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.