La Grange in Lenoir County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
James Y. Joyner
1862-1954
Photographed by Mike Stroud, April 18, 2013
1. James Y. Joyner Marker
Erected 1970 by State Department of Archives and History. (Marker Number F-41.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Education. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list.
Location. 35° 18.293′ N, 77° 47.352′ W. Marker is in La Grange, North Carolina, in Lenoir County. It is on South Caswell Street (State Highway 903) near East Washington Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: La Grange NC 28551, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain. 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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: William Dunn Moseley (approx. half a mile away); Dobbs County (approx. 3.6 miles away); Dobbs County Court House (approx. 3.6 miles away); a different marker also named Dobbs County Court House (approx. 4½ miles away); The Battle of Whitehall (approx. 6.2 miles away); Engagement at Whitehall (approx. 6.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Whitehall
this page online
Regarding James Y. Joyner. During the late nineteenth century North Carolinas educational system had problems dealing with rural populations, transportation, funding, and teacher recruitment. Through the efforts of a group of leaders including Charles B. Aycock, Edwin A. Alderman, Charles D. McIver, and James Y. Joyner, the problems were addressed. Joyner was vitally important to the change of attitude and improved North Carolinas schools systems first as an instructor and later as an administrator.
James Yadkin Joyner was born during the Civil War and was orphaned at the age of two. He grew up in Lenoir County under the watchful eye of his grandfather, a prominent planter and influential Democrat. Joyner attended a local academy and later the University of North Carolina where he grew close to several up and coming North Carolina political leaders including future governor Aycock. After graduation in 1881, Joyner taught at schools across the state and, by 1889, he had joined Alderman and McIver in providing a traveling educational program for the states teachers. Over the next decade Joyner served
Photographed by Mike Stroud, April 18, 2013
2. James Y. Joyner Marker seen looking north along NC 903 (South Caswell Street)
at Greensboro.
Governor Charles B. Aycock in 1902 appointed Joyner to the position of State Superintendent of Public Instruction, a position that Joyner would hold for the next seventeen years. As superintendent, Joyner sought to bolster teacher training by encouraging the development of normal schools, improving the curriculum of rural schools by adding specialized classes to improve agriculture and homemaking skills, and increasing the length of the school year from four to six months. Through his work, Joyner raised the profile of the superintendents job and increased awareness of the states educational needs. Joyner retired from educational pursuits in 1918 and became involved in private business, serving as president of the North Carolina Tobacco Growers Association. He died at the age of ninety-one and was buried beside his wife in Raleighs Oakwood Cemetery. (North Carolina Office of Archives & History Department of Cultural Resources)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 646 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 23, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
