Blowing Rock in Watauga County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Martin House

ca. 1870

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 30, 2022

1. Martin House Marker

Inscription. Originally built as a private residence for H.C. & Johnsie Martin, the home soon became a boarding house to accommodate demand for tourist lodging. From 1890 to 1892, H.C. Martin was the town's mayor.

In recognition of this property's significance, this marker is placed by the
Blowing Rock Historical Society & Blowing Rock Art and History Museum

Erected by Blowing Rock Historical Society • Blowing Rock Art and History Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 36° 7.953′ N, 81° 40.705′ W. Marker is in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, in Watauga County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (Business U.S. 321) and Laurel Lane, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1084 Main St, Blowing Rock NC 28605, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s and he Mountains in the High Country. It is also in the American South,

specifically in

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the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

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: Watauga Hotel Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); Daniel Boone Trail Marker (within shouting distance of this marker); Mayview Manor Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Appalachian Ski Mountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Sonny's Grill (within shouting distance of this marker); Stoneman's Raid (within shouting distance of this marker); Blowing Rock's History (within shouting distance of this marker); Tweetsie Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blowing Rock.

Regarding Martin House. Excerpt from Village Tapestry: The History of Blowing
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 30, 2022

2. Martin House Marker
Rock by Barry M. Buxton (Appalachian State University, 1989):

H.C. Martin was mayor in 1891, and prominent in Village affairs for forty years thereafter. After operating a general store for several years, he sold the store to H.P. Holshouser in 1895 and moved back to Lenoir. His interest in Blowing Rock continued, however, due to the fact that he and his family owned the Martin House and since he was elected President of the Caldwell &. Watauga Turnpike Company in 1896 and 1898. In the early 1900s Martin owned and edited the Lenoir News-Topic. In 1915, however, Martin returned to Blowing Rock, where he was a charter member of the Chamber of Commerce and its president in 1927.

Also see . . . The Martin House. Wesley Moore of Bishopville, S.C., built the house as a private residence in 1870, making it the second oldest buildings in Blowing Rock. (Christopher McCloud and Margaret Handley, Clio: Your Guide to History, posted May 16, 2021) (Submitted on November 17, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

The Martin House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, February 25, 2024

3. The Martin House

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 557 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 16, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on February 25, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.