Morganton in Burke County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Burke Courthouse

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, November 13, 2016

1. Burke Courthouse Marker

Inscription. Built of local cut stone, ca. 1835, by James Binnie. August terms of State Supreme Court held here, 1847-61. Raided by Union force 1865. Remodeled 1901.

Erected 1963 by NC Archives and Highway Departments. (Marker Number N-34.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • War, US Civil. 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° 44.734′ N, 81° 41.266′ W. Marker is in Morganton, North Carolina, in Burke County. It is on Sterling Street south of Union Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Morganton NC 28655, 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 territory

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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: Morganton (here, next to this marker); Our Confederate Soldiers (here, next to this marker); Burke County Veterans K.I.A. Memorial (here, next to this marker); The Charters of Freedom (within shouting distance of this marker); Sam J. Ervin, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Tod R. Caldwell (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); WWII Burke County Dead (about 500 feet away); Alva Theater (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Morganton.

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, November 13, 2016

2. Burke Courthouse Marker

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, November 13, 2016

3. Burke Courthouse Marker

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, November 13, 2016

4. Burke Courthouse Marker

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, November 13, 2016

5. Burke Courthouse Marker

(South View)

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, November 13, 2016

6. Burke Courthouse Marker

(North View)

Photo & history from adjacent Morganton Civil War Trails marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, November 13, 2016

7. Photo & history from adjacent Morganton Civil War Trails marker

In 1837, builder James Binnie completed this stone courthouse to replace the first Burke County Courthouse, a wooden structure. From 1847 to 1862, this was the only courthouse outside Raleigh in which the North Carolina Supreme Court convened, to escape the summer heat. The exterior was stuccoed in 1885, and in 1903 architect Frank Milburn raised the porticoes and replaced the simple cupola depicted here with one in the Baroque style. In 1976, the county completed a new courthouse and moved from this building. The Old Burke County Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

Burke County Courthouse, ca.1885
Courtesy Picture Burke, NC Room, Burke County Library

Burke Courthouse - Charters of Freedom display image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, November 13, 2016

8. Burke Courthouse - Charters of Freedom display

Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 674 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on November 14, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.