Elk Park in Avery County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Cranberry High Veterans

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 14, 2025

1. Cranberry High Veterans Marker

Inscription.
In honor of all CHS men and women who served our country in war and peace

Cranberry High School purchased March 17, 1986
Dedication 17 July 2010 to original note signees
Lila Beck C.A. & Edith Bowlick • Mary Daniels
Elbert & Georgia Gwyn • Roderick Hall • Clay & Naomi Houston
Ray Lusk • Elbert & Johnnie B. McCoury • Kenneth McCroury

Erected by Pat Ray VFW Post #4286.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Education • Military.

Location. 36° 9.043′ N, 81° 57.779′ W. Memorial is in Elk Park, North Carolina, in Avery County. It can be reached from the intersection of Elk Park Highway (North Carolina Route 194) and U.S. 19E, on the right when traveling south. Location is the Historic Cranberry High School site. From Elk Park Highway, the the gravel driveway to the top of the hill. From the parking lot, take a short walk to the flagpole. The granite bench next to the pole. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 5215 Elk Park Hwy, Elk Park NC 28622, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial

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is in North Carolina’s and he Mountains in the High Country. 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Cranberry Iron Mine (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cranberry Mines (about 500 feet away); Avery County Salute to Veterans (approx. 4.8 miles away); Avery County Veterans Monument (approx. 4.8 miles away); Former Avery County Jail (approx. 4.9 miles away); Lees-McRae College (approx. 5 miles away); Shepherd M. Dugger (approx. 5 miles away); Banner Elk (approx. 5.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elk Park.

Also see . . . Cranberry High School. Carolina

Cranberry High School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 14, 2025

2. Cranberry High School

Crossroads blog entry

Construction on Cranberry High School began in 1923 and the new building opened in time for the 1924-1925 school year. The school operated continuously until 1968 when all local high schools in Avery County consolidated into Avery County High School in Newland. Home to the Wildcats, the name remains as part of the nearby Cranberry Middle School.

(Submitted on March 15, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

Former Cranberry High School. Bench is near the flagpole image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 14, 2025

3. Former Cranberry High School. Bench is near the flagpole

Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 161 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 14, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.