Marion in McDowell County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Charters of Freedom
Photographed by Mark Parker, March 16, 2025
1. The Charters of Freedom Marker
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.
The Charters of Freedom
Gifted by Vance and Mary Jo Patterson Burke County, North Carolina
To the children, veterans and citizens of McDowell County, North Carolina on June 21st, 2019
" Wherever the people are well informed they can be trusted with their own government"
- Thomas Jefferson 1789
".....A people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives."
James Madison - 1822
"You cannot control what you do not understand."
vance patterson - 2013
Erected 2019 by Vance and Mary Jo Patterson.
Topics. This historical
this page online
Location. 35° 41.039′ N, 82° 0.518′ W. Marker is in Marion, North Carolina, in McDowell County. It is at the intersection of East Main Street (Business U.S. 221) and East Court Steeet (U.S. 70), on the right when traveling north on East Main Street. The displays are in front of the McDowell County Courthouse. The marker is at the far right display case near ground level. Dedication plaque is attached to the left display case. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21 East Main Street, Marion NC 28752, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of
Photographed by Mark Parker, March 16, 2025
2. The Charters of Freedom dedication plaque
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: M/Sgt. Shufford Cline Rowe (here, next to this marker); McDowell County War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); McDowell County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); First Baptist Church (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sesquicentennial Testament (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Roy Williams (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lone Beech (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marion.
Photographed by Mark Parker, March 16, 2025
3. Full view of The Charters of Freedom Marker in front of the McDowell County Courthouse
Photographed by Mark Parker, March 16, 2025
4. The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the Declaration of Independence
Photographed by Mark Parker, March 16, 2025
5. The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the U.S. Constitution
Photographed by Mark Parker, March 16, 2025
6. The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the Bill of Rights
Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 138 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 21, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
