Pineville in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The President James K. Polk State Historic Site

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 18, 2021

1. The President James K. Polk State Historic Site Marker

Inscription.

The President James K. Polk State Historic Site. . , The James K. Polk State Historic Site is currently 22 of the original 150 acres owned by Samuel Polk. It was on this land that Samuel and his wife Jane gave birth to their oldest son James in 1795. The family lived here until 1806. James K. Polk left the state as a boy, and his Tar Heel birth and upbringing seemed forgotten. By 1900 his birthplace had disappeared, its precise location lost to memory. In 1904 the daughters of the American Revolution created a marker to honor this favorite son.

After years of local campaigning, the site became a state historic site in 1968. The grounds now include three reconstructed log buildings, a picnic area, and natural trail running adjacent to Little Sugar Creek. The visitor's center features exhibits on Polk's life, his presidency and on early Mecklenburg County. Special events and demonstrations are scheduled throughout the year.

Little Sugar Creek History , Native Americans , The Sugaree Indians inhabited this area in 1605 and became the namesake of Little Sugar Creek and Sugar Creek. One translations has the word Sugaree as being interpreted as "people of thr river of the water which unfit to drink." To protect themselves against the Cherokee Nation, residing on the adjacent side of the Catawba River, the Sugarees joined forces with the early white settlers.

Settlement , The first white settlers in this are arrived by way of the Great Wagon Road. For these early pioneers, the Little Sugar Creek provided a means of survival. Other than being a more than adequate source for water, its surrounding banks offered fertile soil for planting.

Little Sugar Creek Today , Flora , The Pineville area of the Little Sugar Creek contains a variety of native plants. While boasting a dense covering of Japanese stilt grass, the ground is also populated by several varieties of shrubs. The canopy includes black walnut, rock chestnut oak, Virginia pine, and giant cane.

Fauna , A variety of animals populate the creek's surrounding forests. Amphibians such as frogs, toads and salamanders can be found along the creek bank. Tree canopy provided an inviting habitat for birds. A host of mammals roam the forest.

The James K. Polk State Historic Site is currently 22 of the original 150 acres owned by Samuel Polk. It was on this land that Samuel and his wife Jane gave birth to their oldest son James in 1795. The family lived here until 1806. James K. Polk left the state as a boy, and his Tar Heel birth and upbringing seemed forgotten. By 1900 his birthplace had disappeared, its precise location lost to memory. In 1904 the daughters of the American Revolution created a marker to honor this favorite son.

Little Sugar Creek History
Native Americans
The Sugaree Indians inhabited this area in 1605 and became the namesake of Little Sugar Creek and Sugar Creek. One translations has the word Sugaree as being interpreted as "people of thr river of the water which unfit to drink." To protect themselves against the Cherokee Nation, residing on the adjacent side of the Catawba River, the Sugarees joined forces with the early white settlers.

Settlement
The

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first white settlers in this are arrived by way of the Great Wagon Road. For these early pioneers, the Little Sugar Creek provided a means of survival. Other than being a more than adequate source for water, its surrounding banks offered fertile soil for planting.

Little Sugar Creek Today
Flora
The Pineville area of the Little Sugar Creek contains a variety of native plants. While boasting a dense covering of Japanese stilt grass, the ground is also populated by several varieties of shrubs. The canopy includes black walnut, rock chestnut oak, Virginia pine, and giant cane.

Fauna
A variety of animals populate the creek's surrounding forests. Amphibians such as frogs, toads and salamanders can be found along the creek bank. Tree canopy provided an inviting habitat for birds. A host of mammals roam the forest.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #11 James K. Polk series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1795.

Location. 35° 4.703′ N, 80° 52.918′ W. Marker is in Pineville, North Carolina, in Mecklenburg County. Marker is on James K. Polk Road (County Road

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 18, 2021

2. The President James K. Polk State Historic Site Marker

3640) 0.2 miles east of Lancaster Highway, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12031 Lancaster Hwy, Pineville NC 28134, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tobacco in the Piedmont (a few steps from this marker); Cotton on the Polk Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); The Polk Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); President James K. Polk S.H.S. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Polk Family Cemetery (about 400 feet away); James Knox Polk Birthplace (about 500 feet away); Mecklenburg Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (about 500 feet away); James K. Polk (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pineville.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, May 22, 2022

3. The President James K. Polk State Historic Site Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 215 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 22, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on May 21, 2022, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.