Waynesville in Haywood County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
First American Veterans Monument
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 14, 2022
1. First American Veterans Monument Marker
This monument is dedicated to the memory of the First American Veterans
These patriots, believing in the noble cause of liberty, gallantly fought for home and country during the American Revolution so that their descendants might enjoy civil and religious freedom.
Elements of the Rutherford expedition, 2800 brave men who fought for our freedom from the British, camped along Richland Creek at Sulphur Springs (1/2 mile w.) in September 1776.
Sculptor: Earl F. Lanning
Donated by: The Lanning Family in memory of John Lanning who was an early settler and veteran of the American Revolution
Erected by The Lanning Family.
Topics. This monument and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1776.
Location. 35° 29.555′ N, 82° 59.24′ W. Monument is in Waynesville, North Carolina, in Haywood County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street (U.S. 276) and Depot Street, on the right when traveling south on North Main Street. The marker and statue are to the south of the Historic Haywood County Courthouse near Deport Street. Touch for map. Monument is at or near this postal address: 285 N Main Street, Waynesville NC 28786, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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Regionally, this memorial monument is in North Carolina’s Mountains, specifically in Greater Asheville, and in the Great Smoky Mountains. 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 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: N.C. Education Association (a few steps from this marker); Haywood County Veterans Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Haywood County Korean War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Century Vault (within shouting distance of this marker); Haywood County Vietnam War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Haywood County Confederate Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Arch (within shouting distance of this marker); Haywood County Revolutionary War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waynesville.
Also see . . . Rutherford Light Horse expedition (Wikipedia). Overview:
The Rutherford Light Horse expedition was a punitive military excursion launched against the Lower, Middle, and Overhill Cherokee settlements of the Cherokee Indians in the Appalachian region of North Carolina. This was in retaliation for the Native Indian attacks made against the European American settlements of the Watauga Association in July 1776, in an early action of the American War of Independence. The expedition, which took place on the American frontier and resulted in the destruction of six Cherokee towns, ran from October(Submitted on December 27, 2024.)17 until November 16, 1776. The adventure only concluded when the troop was forced to turn back due to a lack of supplies. It was led by Captain William Moore of the 2nd Rowan County Regiment, acting directly under the command of Brigadier General Griffith Rutherford.Photographed by Mark Parker, July 14, 20222. First American Veterans Monument statue overlooking Depot Street
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 14, 2022
3. Militia Rifleman inscribed into the base off the statue
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 14, 2022
4. Sculptor Earl Lanning's signature
Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 246 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 27, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
