Gold Hill in Rowan County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Russell-Rufty Shelter

Photographed by Mark Parker, April 25, 2026

1. Russell-Rufty Shelter Marker

Inscription.
Dedicated to the memory of

Capt. Lamar Shaver Russell
U.S. Army Airforce
Killed in Action WW II
February 1, 1944

Pvt. Joe Hearne Rufty
U.S. Army
Killed in Action WW II
June 6, 1944

Cpl. Ernest Raymond Russell
U.S. Marine Corp.
Killed in Action WW II
June 15, 1944

1st Lieut. Joe Hearne Rufty
U.S. Army
Killed in Action Vietnam
January 19, 1970

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, Vietnam • War, World II.

Location. 35° 30.692′ N, 80° 20.676′ W. Memorial is in Gold Hill, North Carolina, in Rowan County. It can be reached from Saint Stephens Church Road north of Old Beatty Ford Road (Route .2), on the right when traveling north. The marker is attached to the side of the shelter away from the road. The shelter is located at Gold Hill Mines Historic Park. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 755 St Stephens Church Rd, Gold Hill NC 28071, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in North Carolina’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically

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in the Upper South.

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 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: The 19th Century View from the Miller Shaft (within shouting distance of this marker); Chilean Ore Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Gold Hill, North Carolina Est. 1843 (within shouting distance of this marker); Gold Hill Jail & English Dry-Stack Rock Wall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Randolph Shaft (about 400 feet away); The Village of Gold Hill (about 500 feet away); Gold Hill Methodist Church Bell (about 500 feet away); Gold Hill Mining District (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gold Hill.

Russell-Rufty Shelter. Marker is next to the green double doors image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, April 25, 2026

2. Russell-Rufty Shelter. Marker is next to the green double doors

Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 6, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.