Downtown in Asheville in Buncombe County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Bunkum Stone
Photographed by Mark Parker, August 29, 2025
1. The Bunkum Stone Marker
The Bunkum Stone is a sister to the Barney Stone in Ireland. It is said that kissing the Bunkum Stone confers the gift of loquacity.
The Bunkum Stone is named in honor of Felix Walker, the US Congressman from Buncombe County (1820) for whom the term 'bunkum' was coined. His rambling speeches were considered so windy and irrelevant, that his colleagues would despair every time he spoke. Walker's signature introduction, "For the people of Buncombe" became for them, "a load of bunkum". The term 'bunkum' passed into common usage along with 'debunk' and 'bunk'.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics.
Location. 35° 35.491′ N, 82° 33.04′ W. Marker is in Asheville, North Carolina, in Buncombe County. It is in Downtown. It is on Biltmore Avenue (U.S. 25) north of South Market Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker location is in the front planter at The Gray Rock Inn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Biltmore Ave, Asheville NC 28801, 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 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: Flora Sorrell Boarding Home (here, next to this marker); Isaac Dickson and the Historical East End Neighborhood (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Triangle Park Mural
this page online
Photographed by Mark Parker, August 29, 2025
2. Full view of The Bunkum Stone Marker
Photographed by Mark Parker, August 29, 2025
3. Wide view of The Bunkum Stone Marker at The Gray Rock Inn
Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 106 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 30, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
