Statesville in Iredell County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Col. Silas Alexander Sharpe

(March 5, 1830 – December 9, 1903)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 11, 2023

1. Col. Silas Alexander Sharpe Marker

Inscription. Dedicated to the memory of Col. Silas A. Sharpe, a prominent industrialist and political leader in Statesville throughout the second half of the 19th century. He was sworn as the first Mayor of the City of Statesville on March 25, 1867. The home of Col. Silas A. Sharpe remains here as one of the oldest houses in Statesville and has been rightfully placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected in 1987 by the City Council of the City of Statesville in appreciation of the donation of this property to the city by Col. Silas A. Sharpe's granddaughters, Katherine Nooe Knox and Sarah M. Nooe.

Erected 1987 by Statesville City Council.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 25, 1867.

Location. 35° 46.885′ N, 80° 53.212′ W. Marker is in Statesville, North Carolina, in Iredell County. Marker is at the intersection of South Center Street (U.S. 21) and West Sharpe Street, on the right when traveling south on South Center Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 402 S Center St, Statesville NC 28677, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. N.C. Association for the Blind (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church (about 800 feet away); United Spanish American War Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Iredell County Confederate Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Statesville in the Civil War (approx. 0.2 miles away); Stoneman's Raid (approx. 0.2 miles away); J. P. Caldwell (approx. ¼ mile away); Vance House (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Statesville.

Regarding Col. Silas Alexander Sharpe. Excerpt from the National Register nomination:

Silas Alexander Sharpe (5 March 1830 - 8 December 1903) was born on his father's plantation north of StatesvilJe. As a youth he went to Laurens County, South Carolina, where he learned the tanning trade. Soon after his return to Iredell County (about 1853) and with the backing of his uncle, Quincy Sharpe, he purchased a tanyard south of the commercial area of Statesville. … Local tradition indicates that by the outbreak of the Civil War Sharpe had commenced construction on his imposing Classical Revival house near the tanyard, at the southwest corner of South Center and Sharpe streets. However, even if begun this early, it does not appear that the structure was completed and
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 11, 2023

2. Col. Silas Alexander Sharpe Marker
occupied until after the close of the war. … During the conflict Sharpe served as lieutenant colonel of the 5th Regiment, North Carolina Home Guard, and was responsible for arresting deserters and reluctant conscripts.

Until after 1900 Sharpe continied to operate his tannery where he also manufactured leather into harness and saddle goods. Not content with this single enterprise, however, Sharpe became active in another area of Statesville industry, building a tobacco warehouse which he called the "Farmer's Warehouse" in 1872.

Sharpe, who served as Statesville' s first mayor in the 1870s, began his political career as a Democrat, later became an independent, and still later joined the Republican Party. In addition to serving several terms as mayor, he was also postmaster on occasion.

Also see . . . Col. Silas Alexander Sharpe House (PDF). National Register nomination submitted for the property, which was listed as part of the Historic Resources of Iredell County submission in 1980. (Prepared by Laura A. W. Phillips; via National Archives) (Submitted on December 1, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 1, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.