Mount Holly in Gaston County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Ransom Hunter & Freedom Rock

Ransom Hunter and Freedom Rock Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 28, 2026

1. Ransom Hunter and Freedom Rock Marker

Inscription. This park was once home to Ransom Hunter, a successful Black landowner, entrepreneur and founder of the Freedom Community. He lived here with his family from 1865 until his passing in 1918. While genealogical research cannot confirm how or when Ransom Hunter entered slavery, we know that both he and his parents, Mike and Julia Hunter were born in North Carolina. His family, including other family members were connected to the Humphrey Hunter plantation, of which his family shares the surname. He may have been loaned out or apprenticed to the Hoyle Plantation where he learned and used his carpentry skills. Mr. Hunter and his wife secured their freedom and acquired land, including this park property. He used his skills in carpentry and blacksmithing to build a cabin and barn, which grew into a successful business. His success allowed him to purchase surrounding farmland. By 1901, he had acquired acreage across Mount Holly.

Over time, Mr. Hunter helped other newly freed families become property owners by selling or donating land for houses, schools, churches, and businesses.

Freedom Rock has been a community landmark

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for generations. During Ransom Hunter's time, customers would wait at Freedom Rock while he refreshed their horses and repaired their wagons. Riders would stand on the rock to mount their horses.

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This is an archival photo taken around 1910, this early photograph shows Ransom Hunter next to his home. The house was set on large stones and designed in the same floor plan as the main house at Hoyle Homestead.

The first Black school in Gaston County was built on land provided by Ransom Hunter at the site of the A. M. Rollins School next door.

"Freedom Rock" at the corner of West Glendale Avenue and South Hawthorne Street, view south

Erected 2025 by Town of Mount Holly.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.

Location. 35° 17.653′ N, 81° 1.281′ W. Marker is in Mount Holly, North Carolina, in Gaston County. It can be reached from the intersection of South Hawthorne Street and West Glendale Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker

Ransom Hunter marker and Freedom Rock image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 28, 2026

2. Ransom Hunter marker and Freedom Rock

is at or near this postal address: 325 West Glendale Ave, Mount Holly NC 28120, 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 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: Historic Homesite and Landscape (a few steps from this marker); 1830-1910 Enslavement to Landowner (a few steps from this marker); 1830-1910 Life on Freedom Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); 1910-1960s Building the Freedom Community (within shouting distance of this marker); 2000-2025 Community Landmark (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mighty Oak Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); 128 South Main Street (approx. 0.3 miles away); 126 South Main Street

Ransom Hunter Park sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 28, 2026

3. Ransom Hunter Park sign

(approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Holly.

A.M. Rollins Elementary School monument, a short distance south of the park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 28, 2026

4. A.M. Rollins Elementary School monument, a short distance south of the park

Freedom Rock image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 28, 2026

5. Freedom Rock

Ransom Hunter House Foundation image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 28, 2026

6. Ransom Hunter House Foundation

Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 17 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 28, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.