Mount Airy in Surry County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Whittler

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, October 23, 2021

1. The Whittler Marker

Inscription. It was on this wall that men would whittle, trade knives and watches, tell tall tales, and chew tobacco. This popular sitting spot was soon nicknamed "Buzzard's Roost." The number of men gathered here made it difficult for pedestrians to use the sidewalk, particularly women. The wall was officially closed in 1956 when city commissioners authorized the Chief of Police, M.W. Boone, to prohibit loafing or whittling on the ledge. Behind the wall was the site of the Blue Ridge Hotel, Built-in 1891.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Law Enforcement.

Location. 36° 30.093′ N, 80° 36.516′ W. Marker is in Mount Airy, North Carolina, in Surry County. It is on West Oak Street west of North Main Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mount Airy NC 27030, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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: Leonidas Harold "L.H." Jones (here, next to this marker); The Whittling Wall (here, next to this marker); Tommy Jarrell (a few steps from this marker); Fred Cockerham (a few steps from this marker); Ralph Epperson (a few steps from this marker); Donna Fargo (a few

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steps from this marker); Floyd Eugene "Flip" Rees (a few steps from this marker); The Mill Worker (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Airy.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, October 23, 2021

2. The Whittler Marker

The Whittler statue & marker (to the right) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, December 30, 2024

3. The Whittler statue & marker (to the right)

Whittling Wall marker is on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2021, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 396 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 6, 2021, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3. submitted on January 1, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.