Cherryville in Gaston County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

"Shooting in the New Year"

Cherryville Heritage Mural by J. B. McKinney

— August 2016 —

Shooting in the New Year Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, February 7, 2025

1. Shooting in the New Year Marker

Inscription. This painting represents three centuries of Cherryville heritage, The Bavarian tradition of shooting in the New Year was brought to the area by German settlers in the 18th century. The white pine trees that dominated the landscape inspired the town's original name, White Pines. During the mid-19th century and throughout the Civil War, this area served as the strategic Western terminus of the Wilmington, Charlotte, and Rutherfordton Railroad. In 1881, the town was incorporated and renamed Cherryville. The railroad expanded at the turn of the century, bringing prosperity to the downtown. In 1924, the extant Seaboard Air Line Railway Depot was constructed. Today CSX Corporation operates the railroad.

Erected 2016 by Cherryville New Years Shooters Inc., HomeTrust Bank.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 35° 22.744′ N, 81° 22.771′ W. Marker is in Cherryville, North Carolina, in Gaston County. It is at the intersection of North Mountain Street (North Carolina Route 274) and East

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Main Street ( Route 279), on the right when traveling north on North Mountain Street. The marker is on the bottom right corner of the mural. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 E Main St, Cherryville NC 28021, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Greater Charlotte.

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: Farmer's Bank & Trust (a few steps from this marker); Cherryville Drug Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Harrelson Company Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Cherryville City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Cherryville Heritage Mural (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct

Shooting in the New Year Mural. Marker is at the bottom right corner image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, February 7, 2025

2. Shooting in the New Year Mural. Marker is at the bottom right corner

line); John F Black School House (about 500 feet away); Federal Bonded Liquor Warehouse (about 600 feet away); Orignal City Hall (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cherryville.

Shooting in the New Year portion of the mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, February 7, 2025

3. Shooting in the New Year portion of the mural

Cherryville New Year's Shooters statue at J. Ralph Beam Jr. Heritage Park in Cherryville image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, February 7, 2025

4. Cherryville New Year's Shooters statue at J. Ralph Beam Jr. Heritage Park in Cherryville

Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 156 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 18, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 4. submitted on December 8, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.