High Point in Guilford County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Plank Road Foreman
This statue of a Plank Road Foreman is dedicated to the establishment of the City of High Point and in honor of the men and women who worked in local industries and businesses that made it famous.
In the 1840s and 1850s construction was commenced on the 130 mile plank road from Fayetteville to Salem. This intersection of the Fayetteville and Western Plank Road with the North Carolina Railroad resulted in a settlement that grew to become known as High Point.
David A. Dowdy, Jr.
The Plank Road Foreman was the idea, creation and labor of love of High Point native son, David A. Dowdy, Jr. Through his careful research of the era in North Carolinas history that produced the Plank Road, Mr. Dowdy has sculpted a timeless reminder of the great vision shown by our City and State in this early example of economic development. Completely self-taught in this medium of expression, High Points widely acclaimed sculptor has generously contributed to his hometown all of the labor and artistry for this magnificent statue. It now becomes a part of his other public pieces which include Alexander Graham Bell in Charlotte, George Watts Hill at the UNC Alumni Center in Chapel Hill and Senator Jesse Helms in the Jesse Helms Center at Wingate, NC.
Plank Road Foreman Statue Committee
Through
this page online
Aaron N. Clinard James H. Millis, Sr. David A. Dowdy, Jr. James Jim F. Morgan
Erected 2004 by Plank Road Foreman Statue Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 2004.
Location. 35° 57.443′ N, 80° 0.352′ W. Marker is in High Point, North Carolina, in Guilford County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street (Business U.S. 311) and West High Avenue, on the right when traveling south on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 West High Avenue, High Point NC 27260, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont and specifically in Piedmont Triad. 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: High Point (here, next to this marker); Plank Road (a few steps from this marker); Maxwell Reid "Max" Thurman (within shouting distance of this marker); World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Arms Factory (within shouting distance of this marker); High Point Veterans Memorial
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 4, 2010
4. Donors Plaque
This is a previous iteration of the donor plaque. The rear of the monument lists people who made the "Plank Road Foreman" possible.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 4, 2010
5. The Plank Road Foreman
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 4, 2010
6. Marker in High Point
Photographed by John Ridley, December 21, 2023
8. The Plank Road Foreman Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,390 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 19, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 4, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 7. submitted on June 19, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 8. submitted on April 3, 2025, by John Ridley of Chelsea, Michigan.
