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
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 (NRHP) 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. It is at the intersection of South Center Street (U.S. 21) and West Sharpe Street, on
this page online
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 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: Images at the Crossroads by Ben Long (within shouting distance of this marker); N.C. Association for the Blind (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Vance Hotel (about 600 feet away); Wallace Brothers Herbarium (about 600 feet away); U.S. Post Office and Federal Building (about 700 feet away); St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church (about 800 feet away); United Spanish American War Veterans Memorial
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 11, 2023
2. Col. Silas Alexander Sharpe Marker
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 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 continued 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 June 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 629 times since then and 151 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 1, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
