Boone in Watauga County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Boone Heritage Monument
Photographed by Mark Parker, April 5, 2025
1. Boone Heritage Monument Marker, Title plaque (southeast side)
(Southeast side)
"Pioneer Portraits" in Bronze
My vision is to commemorate the brave, courageous and industrious spirit of the pioneers. The representative bronze busts evoke the determined self-reliance of the early American founders and settlers who developed the frontier Town of Boone, North Carolina.
Brenda Mauney Councill, Sculptor
Descendant of Jordan Councill, Sr. and Benjamin Howard
Boone Heritage Monument
Dedicated 2024
This monument stands to honor all the early Appalachian pioneer families whose courage, strength and hard work laid the foundation upon which the Town of Boone was built.
The early village populated around Jordan Councill's store. In 1823, a post office was established and the region became known as Councill's Store. This settlement was incorporated in 1872 and later renamed Boone after Colonel Daniel Boone, whose love and skill for hunting and whose pioneering spirit led others to join him in the lush mountain region of North Carolina, including present-day Watauga County. Here, an abundance of wildlife and native plants provided sustenance, medicines and trade opportunities
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This site, at King Street and Hardin Street, was once a dirt trail forged by Native Americans, buffalo, elk, long hunters and wagons carrying the first permanent inhabitants. Across King Street was the original Councill Homeplace and property. Above stands Howard's Knob, a mountain named after Benjamin Howard who herded cattle in this valley and built the first cabin around 1760.
Contributing Business Sponsors
Councill Fine Art Studio, LLC Dan'l Boone Inn Moretz IV, LLC Greene Construction, Inc. Deal, Moseley & Smith, LLP, Attorneys at Law Goodnight Brothers Produce Company, Inc. | Miller & Johnson, PLLC, Attorneys at Law Eggers, Eggers, Eggers & Eggers, Attorneys at Law Creekside Electronics, Inc. Wilcox Drug Company, Est. 1900 Boone Drugs, Inc., Est. 1919 Highland Landscape Supplies Spear Memorials, Est. 1946 Ioncon Engineers, PLLC Norm McLean Transport
Contributing Sponsor Organizations
Daniel Boone Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Three Forks Baptist Association North Carolina Daniel Boone Heritage Trail, Inc.
(Southwest
Photographed by Mark Parker, April 5, 2025
2. Boone Heritage Monument (Southwest side)
Contributing Family Sponsors
Adams
Alfred Thomas Adams (1911-2002), a progressive community and civic leader, was a respected and accomplished banker and businessman of Boone whose life and career was celebrated.
Bingham
Grandsons James M. Deal, Jr., Esq., and Claude D, Smith, Jr. Esq., honor Dr. Robert Knox "RK" Bingham (1878-1949), and wife Jennie Norris Bingham (1888-1975). Dr. Bingham served as a community medical doctor and his home served as Boone's first hospital, currently the Dan'l Boone Inn restaurant.
Blair
Brothers Colbert, Thomas and Henry Blair, settled in the area in the 1830's. The brothers farmed, operated large saw, grist and carding mills. Henry Blair and Mary Steele Blair settled permanently in the Deerfield area in 1844. Their home and remaining outbuildings are the oldest remaining structures in Boone. Six generations of Blairs have contributed to the community as cabinet makers, windmill and wagon builders, farmers, teachers, artists and historians. Family members served as Postmaster, Town Planner and Clerk of Court. Entrepreneurial contributions include Watauga Kraut Factory, Boones first airport
Photographed by Mark Parker, April 5, 2025
3. Boone Heritage Monument Marker (Northwest side)
Clawson
Loretta Carolyn Guy Clawson, former Mayor of Boone, 2005 -2013.
Coffey
Honoring the Frank Liney Coffey Family for their many coritributions to the development of Boone.
Councill
Jordan Council, Sr. (1769-1839), married to Sarah Howard (1771-1816), were first settlers of the Town of "Boone, originally known as Councill's Store. Jordan, Sr. was a prominent citizen, farmer and merchant. His son Jordan, Jr. (1799-1875) continued the founding family traditions and was a successful merchant, miller, blacksmith, long-haul livestock trader and owner of Councill's Store where in 1823 he served as postmaster. His businesses encompassed a large geographic area of import and export which sustained and expanded the local region's commerce. Councill's Store was a purveyor to the early frontier trade route which ran from the local area to the burgeoning frontier of Kentucky. In 1849 the North Carolia Legislature appointed Councill as one of three commissioners to help lay out the Town of Boone on 50 acres of land donated by Jordan Councill, Jr. and local resident, Ransom Hayes.
Counicill tenth generation,
Photographed by Mark Parker, April 5, 2025
4. Boone Heritage Monument (Northeast side)
The children of John Hardin Councill(1929-2008), and Rebecca Sue Shoemake (1934-2015), recognize their pateral grandparents, Mayor Edward Tracy Councill(1899-1936), and Grate McNinch Councill (1900-1974).
Richard Jefferson Councill (1923-2008) descendants honbr Dr. William Bower Councill, Sr. (1829-1899), who rode on horseback with saddle bags of medicine serving the mountain region, and his wife, Alice Bostwick Councill (1832-1935).
Critcher
Honoring Nathaniel Critcher, who setled in Watauga circa 1820, wife Cynthia Clark Critcher, and their descendents who have served as farmers, businessmen and in leadership roles in the church and community, including the founding of early banking ant religious institutions.
Dougherty
D.D. Dougherty, his wife, Lillie, and his brother, B.B. Dougherty, helped create the educational landscape of the southeastern U.S. when they worked with citizens of Boone in 1899 to found the Watauga Academy.
Photographed by Mark Parker, April 5, 2025
5. Boone Heritage Monument at the corner of W. King and Coffey Streets
Greene
Three Greene brothers arrived in the Boone area during the late l8th century. Richard (1740-1816), Jeremiah (1755-1839), John (1757-1826), all served in the Revolutionary War. A descendant of those who settled in Meat Camp, Pastor Nathan Greene, was the first pastor of Perkinsville Baptist Church. His two sons went on to contribute to the commerce and service of Boone. George Greene built the Gateway Restaurant and Greene Buick auto dealership on King Street, with son George Calvin "G.C.", later joining him at the dealership. Clyde R. Greene built Farmer's Hardware and Watauga Building Supply, served in the state legislature and several term's as mayor of Boone.
Photographed by Mark Parker, April 5, 2025
6. Boone Heritage Monument with bronze busts at the top
(Northwest side)
Contributing Family Sponsors
Greene and Curtis
Ancestors are remembered and honored for helping to pioneer the area of Boone and the vast High Country region. Oral and written histories reflect their courage, adventurous spirit, attention to education and deep faith choices to live righteous, exemplary lives. As their descendant, I am thankful for their example and partner to follow the legacy of those who have gone before. Norma S. Suddreth
Harrison
Honoring Martha, Jane Critcher Harrison, Joseph Jr. and Nancy Price Harrison, who settled in Watauga in the early-mid 1800s, and their descendants, who have served as educators, farmers and ministers. Reverend Joseph Harrison, Jr. served as the first register of deeds in 1850-1860, and again in 1865-1870.
Moretz and Howard
The children of Ralph Dale (1901-1983), and Lola Thompson Moretz (1903-1997), Jan, Dale, Mary and Eddie, honor their Forefathers. John (1788-1871) and Catherina Hefner Moretz (1809-1893), who came to Watauga County in 1839. John was a millwright who built and operated a grist mill, sawmill, linseed oil mill and a carding mill in the aptly named community of Moretz Mills, where he also served as postmaster. John and Catherina's descendants became prominent leaders in Watauga County and throughout the nation.
Benjamin (1742-1829) and Prudence Sater Howard (1743-1822), had a plantation in Wilkes County. Benjamin pastured his cattle in the High Country calling the current town of Boone his, "western lands." He built a cabin here to shelter his herders and hunters, including his neighbor, Daniel Boone. While a Tory, Benjamin hid from the Patriots on Howard's Knob but later joined the First Maryland Regiment as a Patriot.
Burrell (Howard) (c. 1745-1845) was mech more than an African American herder on the Howard Plantation in Wilkes County. He was a guide for Daniel Boone and other hunters, a weatherman, a prophet of freedom, and a respected and beloved frend and founder of Boone and northwestern North Carolina.
Norris
The descendants of John Samuel Morris (1855-1941), and Alice Martisha Houck Norris (1862-1928), through Norman Cicero Norris (1895-1964) and Frances Matilda Moretz Morris (1892-1954), honor their legacies.
Robinson
Lane and Joan Robinson honor the Robinson and Dotson family's contributions to Watauga County.
Triplett-Hardin-Brown-McNeil
We honor our many ancestors who helped settle and build Boone and Watauga County upon their efforts of hard work and talents in business, medicine, agriculture, education, theology, architecture, the arts and compassionate service to others throughout the region. Addie Hardin Clawson, first woman mail carrier in the Boone area (1936-1966). She trekked the rugged terrain by foot, horseback and Jeep.
An Ode to Ancestry
By Rebecca Triplett-Johnson
I call to the pieces of all my befores that dwelt midst the centuries and fought through the wars, that ruled from the kingdoms and rode through the moors.
I call to the pieces of all my befores
I call to the teachings of all my befores that led from the pulpits and inside college doors0, that seeded the minds of fertile scholars.
I call to the teachings of all my befores.
I call to the artists of all my befores who created the music and wrote many scores, who painted the works through museum doors.
I call to the artists of all my befores.
I call to the builders of all my befores who lived in the mountains and sailed to the shores, who farmed all the lands with strenuous labors.
I call to the builders of all my befores.
I call to the spirits of all my befores who circle my being with generational lores, who bless me with strengths for new endeavors.
I call to the spirits of all my befores.
In grateful recognition of the Freemasons and their families, who played a pivotal role in the founding of this community. Their foresight, hard work, and commitment helped lay the groundwork for the vibrant Town of Boone we know today. We acknowledge their dedication to building a strong foundation, from establishing essential services to fostering a spirit of brotherly love and camaraderie.
Chartered in 1878, the first lodge of the High Country was Watauga Lodge #273, known today as Snow Lodge #363.
The first organized chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in North Carolina, known as Hope #1 was formed in Boone in 1882 and remains active today.
As the world's oldest and largest fraternity, Freemasons are dedicated to supporting charities nationwide, with a particular focus on their home states and local communities. The enduring contributions of the Freemasons of Boone and their families continue to shape the character of our community. Their legacy lives on in our streets our institutions, and the values we hold dear. We are forever indebted to their legacy and to the cornerstone they provided for this thriving place we have the honor to call home.
Erected 2024.
Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Education • Exploration • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1823.
Location. 36° 12.982′ N, 81° 40.541′ W. Marker is in Boone, North Carolina, in Watauga County. It is at the intersection of West King Street (U.S. 321/421) and Coffey Street, on the right when traveling east on West King Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 149 W King Street, Boone NC 28607, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker and monument 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 walking distance of this marker: Historic Black Cemetery (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stoneman's Raid (approx. Ό mile away); Appalachian State University (approx. 0.3 miles away); Councill's Store (approx. 0.4 miles away); Jones House (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Junaluska Community (approx. half a mile away); 1940 Flood Ends Boone Train Service (approx. half a mile away); United States Post Office (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boone.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 298 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 7, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
