Franklin in Macon County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Women in Retail: Dess Pendergrass

— Women's History Trail —

Photographed by Mark Parker, January 23, 2024

1. Women in Retail: Dess Pendergrass Marker

Inscription. Mom and Pop stores offered a traditional avenue for women into the business world. Dess Bradley chose this route, but with a difference. When she married J. B. Pendergrass in 1941, she not only brought joy to the prominent bachelor merchant, but also brought a clever mind and a degree from Chillicothe Business College to Pendergrass Store. The two formed a power couple on Franklin's Main Street until the mid-1970s and were fondly remembered by generations of customers.

Erected by Folk Heritage Association of Macon County, Macon County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 35° 10.898′ N, 83° 22.902′ W. Marker is in Franklin, North Carolina, in Macon County. It is on West Main Street (Business U.S. 441) west of Phillips Street, on the left when traveling west. Located in front of the Macon County Historical Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 36 West Main Street, Franklin NC 28734, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

is in North Carolina’s and he Mountains in the Golden Corner. It is also in the American South,

specifically in 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: Thomas's Legion (here, next to this marker); Dixie Hall (a few steps from this marker); Macon County Confederate Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Echoe (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Jail (within shouting distance of this marker); Gem Mining (within shouting distance of this marker); Women Mica Workers (within shouting distance of this marker); The North Carolina Bartram Trail (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin.

Macon County Historical Museum in the Pendergrass Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, January 23, 2024

2. Macon County Historical Museum in the Pendergrass Building

Marker is to the far east side of the storefront.

Memory Lane, a part of the Pendergrass property. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, January 23, 2024

3. Memory Lane, a part of the Pendergrass property.

Pendergrass building, which houses the Macon County Historical Museum is to the right. Macon County News is to the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 198 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 13, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.