Apex in Wake County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Joggling Board

Courting Bench

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 2, 2023

1. Joggling Board Marker

Inscription. Originated in Scotland. First one built in America at Acton Plantation in the Lowcountry of South Carolina in 1803.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.

Location. 35° 43.9′ N, 78° 51.05′ W. Marker is in Apex, North Carolina, in Wake County. Marker is on North Salem Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 N Salem St, Apex NC 27502, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Apex 9/11 Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Apex Union Depot (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Apex Town Hall (about 400 feet away); Apex Elementary (approx. ¾ mile away); Friendship School (approx. 3.8 miles away); Historic Green Level Baptist Church (approx. 4.6 miles away); Historic White Plains Cemetery (approx. 5.1 miles away); The Woodlief House (approx. 5.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Apex.

Regarding Joggling Board. A jostling board is a bench consisting of a long (typically 16 to 22 feet), pliable board (usually made of pine) supported by wooden stands. The board's flexibility allows those sitting on it to easily jostle or bounce along it, usually toward the center. They were popularly known as “courting benches”

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during the Victorian era, when couples would sit at opposite ends and gradually jostle toward the middle – and each other. The concept's origin is murky: Some sources trace its roots to Scotland, while others contend it was introduced by slaves. Joggling boards' popularity waned in the 20th century, hastened by the scarcity of timber during World War II. (Source: Charleston Magazine)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 2, 2023

2. Joggling Board Marker
Marker is on the right side of the blue building. A joggling board that was placed under the marker is no longer there.
Wally Gobetz via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), May 3, 2013

3. Joggling Board
This one is located at the c. 1825 Edmondston-Alston House in Charleston, S.C.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 4, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.