Near Hickory in Burke County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

John Henry Moss

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 27, 2025

1. John Henry Moss Marker

Inscription.
President, Western Carolina League (1947-1948)
President, Western Carolinas League (1959-1980)
President, South Atlantic League (1980-2007)

John Henry Moss was born in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. He played minor league baseball in 1940, then joined the army and served as a bodyguard to Gen. Ira T. Wyche during World War II. Upon returning to Kings Mountain in 1947, he established the Western Carolina League, a semi-pro baseball league in small towns in western North and South Carolina. The league was approved for membership in the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (NAPBL) in October 1947.

Between 1950 and 1958, John moved north and worked as a general manager for minor league teams in the Detroit Tigers' system. John returned to Kings Mountain in 1959 and was named to reorganize the Western Carolinas League, which was approved for membership in the NAPBL on June 29, 1959. The Western Carolinas League assumed the name of the storied South Atlantic League in 1980.

Under John's leadership, the South Atlantic League grew to 16 clubs in 8 states. John helped bring professional baseball to

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43 different cities (represented by 114 ownership groups) by stressing the importance of providing quality, wholesome, family-friendly entertainment at an affordable price. Assisting John throughout most of his career was his loving wife, Elaine Beilke Moss. Elaine served as Director of Administration and Finance for the Western Carolinas/South Atlantic League for 45 years, before passing away in 2004.

In addition to his league responsibilities, John also served as Mayor of Kings Mountain from 1965-1988. He earned national recognition by securing more than $40 million in federal grants. Newsweek magazine called him the "mayor with the Midas touch."

To honor John's lifetime commitment and dedication of 50 years to the South Atlantic League, the South Atlantic League Board of Directors voted in 2007 to retire the jersey number 50 throughout the South Atlantic League.

Erected 2007.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Sports • War, World II.

Location. 35° 44.908′ N, 81° 22.75′ W. Marker is near Hickory, North Carolina, in Burke County. It can

John Henry Moss Marker at the far right brick wall of the press box on the main concourse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 27, 2025

2. John Henry Moss Marker at the far right brick wall of the press box on the main concourse

be reached from Clement Boulevard Northwest west of 24th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west. Location of the marker is L.P. Frans Stadium. It is located on the main concourse on the exterior brick wall of the press box. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2500 Clement Blvd NW, Hickory NC 28601, 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 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: L.P. Frans Stadium (within shouting distance of this marker); "Miracle of Hickory" (approx. half a mile away); Hickory Regional Airport (approx. 0.6 miles away); Houk's Chapel (approx.

Entrance to L.P. Frans Stadium. John Henry Moss Marker is straight ahead and to the right. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 27, 2025

3. Entrance to L.P. Frans Stadium. John Henry Moss Marker is straight ahead and to the right.

0.7 miles away); Grumman OV-1D Mohawk (approx. ¾ mile away); P-3 Orion (approx. ¾ mile away); Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King (approx. ¾ mile away); Grumman F-14D "Tomcat" (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hickory.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 28, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.