Davidson in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Davidson 1901 Fire

Photographed by Mark Parker, May 9, 2026

1. Davidson 1901 Fire Marker

Inscription.
Origin: Fire Jan. 14, 1901
Behind stores
Site: Potts Livery

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.

Location. 35° 29.937′ N, 80° 50.922′ W. Marker is in Davidson, North Carolina, in Mecklenburg County. It is on South Main Street (North Carolina Route 115) south of Concord Road, on the right when traveling south. The granite marker is at ground level in front of Davidson Soda Shop. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 106 S Main Street, Davidson NC 28036, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Greater Charlotte.

It is also in the American South

and specifically 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: Davidson Town Well (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Knox Building, 1922 (within shouting distance of this marker); Davidson Veterans Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Chairman Blake House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Helper Hotel (about 600 feet away); X-Ray Experiments (about 600 feet away); Davidson College (about 700 feet away); With These Hands: A Memorial to the Enslaved and Exploited, 2025 (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Davidson.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Davidson College (was about 800 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . .

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Fires in Davidson, Part I.

On January 24, 1901 Davidson experienced its most serious fire to date. There were a number of wooden buildings at the southern end of the business district, among them a livery stable belonging to Monroe Potts. The fire started in the stable, and by the time it was discovered, it was out of control. Due to the strong winds, several other buildings were soon afire. According to the Davidson Monthly, by the time the fire was extinguished, Potts’ stable, Sawyer’s grocery store, Sallie Lafferty’s millinery store, McCullough’s barber shop, and a beef market had been destroyed. Losses totaled nearly $15,000, and only Cranford’s store was insured.

(Submitted on May 12, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

Davidson 1901 Fire Marker, center marker at Davidson Soda Shop image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, May 9, 2026

2. Davidson 1901 Fire Marker, center marker at Davidson Soda Shop

Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 12, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.