Asheville in Buncombe County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

David L. Swain

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2010

1. David L. Swain Marker

Inscription. Governor and political leader. President of the University of North Carolina, 1835-1868. Was born three miles E.

Erected 1938 by Archives and Highway Departments. (Marker Number P-5.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 35° 37.783′ N, 82° 33.159′ W. Marker is in Asheville, North Carolina, in Buncombe County. It is on Merrimon Avenue (U.S. 25) near Beaverdam Road (North Carolina Highway 2230). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Asheville NC 28804, 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 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

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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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Francis Asbury (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Lane (within shouting distance of this marker); Saint Mary's Parish - 1914 (approx. 1.3 miles away); The University of North Carolina at Asheville (approx. 1½ miles away); Battle of Asheville (approx. 1½ miles away); Buncombe Turnpike (approx. 1½ miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Asheville (approx. 1½ miles away); Zelda Fitzgerald (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Asheville.

Regarding David L. Swain. Though the state experienced severe hardships during the Civil War, Swain managed to keep the University open. As Sherman’s army approached Raleigh in the spring of 1865, Swain played a role in surrendering the state capital and in securing assurances that the University would not be harmed. He remained as University president until July 1868, when he and his entire faculty were removed by

Photographed by Terry Price

2. David L. Swain Marker

the new board of trustees. Swain died on August 29, 1868, as the result of a buggy accident. Initially buried at his Chapel Hill home, he was later reinterred in Raleigh’s Oakwood Cemetery.
(N.C. Dept. of Cultural Resources)

Also see . . .
1. Ella Swain Married a Union General. (Submitted on May 30, 2010, by Caswell County Historical Association of Yanceyville, North Carolina.)
2. North Carolina Office of Governor - Governors of North Carolina - David Lowry Swain. (Submitted on May 19, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

David L. Swain Marker, seen looking north along US 25, Merrimon Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 22, 2010

3. David L. Swain Marker, seen looking north along US 25, Merrimon Avenue

David L. Swain image. Click for full size.

North Carolina Office of Archives & History — Department of Cultural Resources

4. David L. Swain

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,225 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 29, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on January 29, 2024, by Terry Price of Asheville, North Carolina. 3, 4. submitted on May 29, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.