Smithfield in Johnston County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Ava Gardner

1922 – 1990

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 21, 2019

1. Ava Gardner Marker

Inscription. An actress in 67 films, from 1941 to 1986. An Academy Award nominee; Johnston County native. Gravesite 100 yards W.

Erected 2015 by North Carolina Office Of Archives And History. (Marker Number H-122.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Women. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list.

Location. 35° 31.063′ N, 78° 21.518′ W. Marker is in Smithfield, North Carolina, in Johnston County. It is on West Market Street (Business U.S. 70) north of State Highway 210, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 690 W Market St, Smithfield NC 27577, 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

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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 Town of Smithfield (approx. 0.6 miles away); Edward W. Pou (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Town of Smithfield (approx. 0.7 miles away); Hastings House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Occupation of Smithfield (approx. ¾ mile away); Honor Roll (approx. ¾ mile away); Johnston County Fountain Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); World War II and Korean Conflict Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smithfield.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Occupation of Smithfield (was approx. ¾ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . 20 minute YouTube Documentary — Ava Gardner – Grabtown Girl.

She was a tomboy to the bone and loved taking risks. By age six, she had climbed to the top of the Brogden water tower behind the school. She loved games, she loved action and she could match most of the boys
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 21, 2019

2. Ava Gardner Marker
at softball or marbles.

As Ava grew up in rural North Carolina, a metamorphosis took place. She emerged from her tomboy cocoon into a beautiful butterfly. Who would guess that a fateful 1940 trip to New York City — to visit her beloved sister Beatrice — would kickstart Ava’s rise to stardom.

(Submitted on August 25, 2021.)

Ava Gardner Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 21, 2019

3. Ava Gardner Museum

Ava Gardner Poster Located outside the Ava Gardner Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 21, 2019

4. Ava Gardner Poster Located outside the Ava Gardner Museum

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 21, 2019

5. Ava Gardner Poster Located outside the Ava Gardner Museum

Ava Gardner Grave Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 21, 2019

6. Ava Gardner Grave Site

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 936 times since then and 69 times this year. Last updated on May 9, 2023, by Michael Buckner of Durham, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 2, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.