Wilkesboro in Wilkes County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Thomas B. Finley Law Office
Circa 1880
| | Wilkesboro Historic Preservation Commission | |
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 29, 2022
1. Thomas B. Finley Law Office Marker
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.
Location. 36° 8.954′ N, 81° 9.078′ W. Marker is in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in Wilkes County. It is at the intersection of Broad Street and East North Street, on the right when traveling north on Broad Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 Broad St, Wilkesboro NC 28697, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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: The Tory Oak (a few steps from this marker); Wilkes County Courthouse Annex (within shouting distance of this marker); Former Wilkes County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Smithey Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Daniel Boone's Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Brown-Cowles House (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilkes County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilkes County Confederate Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilkesboro.
Regarding Thomas B. Finley Law Office. Excerpt from the National Register nomination:
Although the exact date of construction of the Finley Law Office is uncertain, it appears likely that it was built by Isaac Wellborn,after he purchased 40 feet on the southeast corner of Broad and North Streets in January 1880 for $50. Little is known about Wellborn, except that in 1884 he was listed as one of the lawyers practicing in Superior Court.
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The name most often associated with the law office (except, perhaps, for that of the current occupant, J. F. Jordan) is that of Thomas B. Finley. Finley was born in 1862, the son of Augustus W. and Marth Gordon Finley, and was reared at Fairmount, the family homeplace across the Yadkin River from Wilkesboro. He was educated at Wilkesboro Academy, Finley High School in Lenoir and at Davidson College. After reading law under Col. George N. Folk, Finley was admitted to the bar in 1885 and established his practice in Wilkesboro.
Also see . . . Thomas B. Finley Law Office (PDF). National Register nomination for the building. (National Archives) (Submitted on November 15, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 29, 2022
2. Thomas B. Finley Law Office Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 316 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 15, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
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