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

1910-1960s Building the Freedom Community

— Walking Timeline —

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 28, 2026

1. 1910-1960s Building the Freedom Community Marker

Inscription. After purchasing surrounding acreage, Hunter provided land at little to no cost for families and community services. Hunter is credited with helping 14 families become homeowners, and the neighborhood surrounding his home came to be known as the Freedom Community. In addition to providing land for homes, Ransom Hunter was a founding member of early churches and schools. He donated land for Rock Grove Church and Mount Sinai Baptist Church, which still congregates at the original location on South Hawthorne Street. He built both churches with his own hands, just as he built his home. He also donated the land used for a cemetery for both churches. He helped found the first "colored" school called the District 12 Colored School, which would later be replaced with A.M. Rollins School. He sold significant amounts of land to prominent community members such as Mr. D.H. Hill and the Raines family, much of which would eventually become downtown Mount Holly.

Erected 2025 by Town of Mt Holly.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Industry & Commerce •

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Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 35° 17.647′ N, 81° 1.252′ W. Marker is in Mount Holly, North Carolina, in Gaston County. It can be reached from the intersection of West Glendale Avenue and South Hawthorne Street, on the right when traveling east. Located along a walking trail in Ransom Hunter Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 325 W 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: 1830-1910 Life on Freedom Farm (a few steps from this marker); 2000-2025 Community Landmark (a few steps

1910-1960s Building the Freedom Community Marker and playground image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 28, 2026

2. 1910-1960s Building the Freedom Community Marker and playground

from this marker); 1830-1910 Enslavement to Landowner (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Homesite and Landscape (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mighty Oak Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Ransom Hunter & Freedom Rock (within shouting distance of this marker); 128 South Main Street (approx. 0.3 miles away); 126 South Main Street (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Holly.

More about this marker. The marker is the third of four that gives a timeline of the life of Ransom Hunter and the future community he influenced

The location of the Mighty Oak, referenced in the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 28, 2026

3. The location of the Mighty Oak, referenced in the marker

The Mighty Oak was blown down in a storm in 2024. A new oak was planted in its place.

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 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 28, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.