Mount Airy in Surry County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Carlos Jones Blue Ridge Park

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, October 23, 2021

1. Carlos Jones Blue Ridge Park Marker

Inscription.
The park design pays tribute to the architecture of the Blue Ridge Hotel, which once stood on the very same corner where the park will be. Robertson recalls living in the Blue Ridge Hotel with Carlos Jones as they both lived and worked on Main Street. "Carlos was killed in 1945 during WWII while he was serving in the Navy. Before he left, he and I both worked downtown. Memories with Carlos were mainly from staying at the hotel had one room together. I don't know how we paid for it... I didn't make but $6 a week and he didn't make much more - hotels must have been right cheap in those days. He was a nice and friendly person. We got along real well... he was easy to get along with. He came from a good family and had several brothers..." The park officially opened on September 20, 2014.

The Blue Ridge Hotel (Inn) once stood on this corner of Oak and Main Streets; actually four of them were located here throughout the years. The first one was built around 1823 (made of wood)and after several years, it burned to the ground. The second Blue Ridge Hotel (Inn) was rebuilt sometime between 1835 and 1840 and it stood until the

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1880s. The coming of the railroad in 1888 catapulted the Blue Ridge Hotel (Inn) to great heights. Around 1891 the third Blue Ridge Hotel was rebuilt at the same location, but the Great Fire on New Years Day in 1892 destroyed the hotel and the whole city block. Shortly after, a group of business owners rebuilt the hotel, which was revered as one of the best in the state, serving the community and many visitors until around 1965. The park design was built to commemorate the unique architecture of this iconic, grand hotel that was a beacon in this region for nearly 150 years.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, World II.

Location. 36° 30.086′ N, 80° 36.502′ W. Marker is in Mount Airy, North Carolina, in Surry County. It is on North Main Street (County Route 1668) south of West Oak Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mount Airy NC 27030, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont.

Carlos Jones image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, October 23, 2021

2. Carlos Jones

In Memory of World War II Navy Veteran, Carlos Warren Jones, Made by his dear friends, Mr. Perry Robertson

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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: Leonidas Harold "L.H." Jones (a few steps from this marker); The Whittler (within shouting distance of this marker); The Whittling Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); Tommy Jarrell (within shouting distance of this marker); Fred Cockerham (within shouting distance of this marker); Ralph Epperson (within shouting distance of this marker); Donna Fargo (within shouting distance of this marker); The J.D. Smith Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Airy.

Regarding Carlos Jones Blue Ridge Park. According to a now-broken

Blue Ridge Hotel image. Click for full size.

via Mt. Airy News, unknown

3. Blue Ridge Hotel

link from the Mount Airy News, a fire broke out at the Blue Ridge Inn in 1892. The fire started in J.V. Mitchell’s General Store, which was located three doors north of the hotel. The fire was fueled by bales of hay and quickly spread to the hotel. The hotel operated for only one or two seasons before burning down.

Also see . . . Carlos Jones. Find A Grave website entry:
Carlos W. Jones, Seaman 2nd Class, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.T. (Jim) Jones of this city, died of burns received in the performance of duty while serving on one of the navy's landing craft in the Pacific. (Submitted on November 6, 2021, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

Carlos Jones Blue Ridge Park Marker looking towards the park & gazebo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, December 30, 2024

4. Carlos Jones Blue Ridge Park Marker looking towards the park & gazebo

Carlos Jones Blue Ridge Park Gazebo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, December 30, 2024

5. Carlos Jones Blue Ridge Park Gazebo

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2021, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,010 times since then and 58 times this year. Last updated on September 13, 2024, by Bruce InCharlotte of Charlotte, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 6, 2021, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3. submitted on November 11, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5. submitted on January 1, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.