Columbus in Polk County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Charters of Freedom

Photographed by Mark Parker, February 7, 2025

1. The Charters of Freedom Marker

Inscription.

The original Charters of Freedom are on display in The Rotunda at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

The Declaration of Independence was adopted July 4, 1776.

The United States Constitution was adopted September 17, 1787, ratified in 1788, and went into effect March 4, 1789.

The Bill of Rights was proposed September 25, 1789, as 12 amendments; ten were ratified December 15, 1791. The remaining two were not ratified but appear on the original document. These first Ten Amendments ratified are our Bill of Rights.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Patriots & Patriotism. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1776.

Location. 35° 15.106′ N, 82° 11.846′ W. Marker is in Columbus, North Carolina, in Polk County. It is at the intersection of Gibson Street and Ward Street on Gibson Street. The marker is on the far right side of the display cases. The entire display is on the west side of Veterans Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 131 Gibson St, Columbus NC 28722, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker

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is in North Carolina’s 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: 1776 - Betsy Ross Flag (here, next to this marker); 1777 - Hopkinson Flag (here, next to this marker); 1781 - Guilford Courthouse Flag (here, next to this marker); 1781 - Battle of Cowpens Flag (here, next to this marker); 1781 - NC Hornet's Nest Flag (here, next to this marker); Polk County Civil War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); 1775 - Flag of New England (a.k.a. Bunker Hill Flag) (a few steps from this marker); The Brave Devoted Patriots (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers

Full view of The Charters of Freedom display. Marker is on the far right. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, February 7, 2025

2. Full view of The Charters of Freedom display. Marker is on the far right.

in Columbus.

The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the Declaration of Independence image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, February 7, 2025

3. The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the Declaration of Independence

The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the U.S. Constitution image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, February 7, 2025

4. The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the U.S. Constitution

North Carolina signers of the U.S. Constitution image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, February 7, 2025

5. North Carolina signers of the U.S. Constitution

William Blount, Richard Dobbs Spaight, Hugh Williamson

The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the Bill of Rights image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, February 7, 2025

6. The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the Bill of Rights

Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 116 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 19, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.