Historical Markers and War Memorials in Burke County
Waynesboro is the county seat for Burke County
Adjacent to Burke County, Georgia
Emanuel County(23) ► Jefferson County(30) ► Jenkins County(20) ► Richmond County(179) ► Screven County(28) ► Aiken County, South Carolina(131) ► Allendale County, South Carolina(16) ► Barnwell County, South Carolina(44) ►
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On Old Quaker Road (State Highway 24) at Munnerlyn-Alexander Road, on the right when traveling east on Old Quaker Road.
On Dec. 4, 1864, Kilpatrick's cavalry division (USA) of Gen. Sherman's army, supported by two brigades of Baird's infantry division of the 14th Corps, drove units of Wheeler's cavalry corps (CSA) out of Waynesboro and across Brier Creek in order to . . . — — Map (db m7959) HM
On Winter Road, 0.2 miles west of Mark Walden Road, on the left when traveling west.
Alexander and Isabella Browne Carswell, whose ancestors earlier had fled strife-torn Scotland for Ireland, emigrated with their six children to America in 1772. The children were Edward, then 17; Agnes, 15; John, 12; Alexander Jr, 10; James, 7; and . . . — — Map (db m200199) HM
On Winter Road, 0.2 miles west of Mark Walden Road, on the left when traveling west.
Hopeful was organized in October 1814 when members of the “Church at the Pinewoods Meeting House” purchased land on which the meeting house stood for $10. The first minutes of Hopeful's history was the legal indenture recording the name “Hopeful”: . . . — — Map (db m200159) HM
Near Bark Camp Church Road, on the left when traveling west.
Constituted in 1788, Bark Camp Church was the center for worship, culture and hospitality in Bark Camp,
one of the oldest settlements in Burke County.
Many of the congregation honorably served during the War Between the States as soldiers . . . — — Map (db m97007) HM
On State Highway 56 at Bark Camp Church Road, on the right when traveling south on State Highway 56.
Constituted in the early part of 1788, Bark Camp Baptist Church was a center for culture and hospitality in Bark Camp, one of the oldest settlements in Burke County and a community of wealthy and prominent plantation owners. Among the 29 charter . . . — — Map (db m44549) HM
On Jones Street (Georgia Route 56) at Lee Street (Georgia Highway 17), on the right when traveling north on Jones Street.
On Nov. 15, 1864, after destroying Atlanta and cutting his communications with the North, Maj. Gen. W.T. Sherman, USA, began his destructive Campaign for Savannah - the March to the Sea. He divided his army [US] into two wings. The Left Wing (14th . . . — — Map (db m32534) HM
On Old Savannah Road at Noah Ark Circle, on the right when traveling south on Old Savannah Road.
On Monday, November 28, 1864, while elements of the Federal 20th Corps were destroying sections of the Central Railroad of Georgia at Bartow (aka Speir's Turnout), Major General William T. Sherman was traveling with his army's 17th Corps led by . . . — — Map (db m127163) HM
On Porter Carswell Road at Bellevue Plantation Road, on the right when traveling north on Porter Carswell Road.
On August 5, 1936, an organizational meeting of the Planters Electric Membership Corporation was held in the Bellevue Plantation commissary building. Those present and elected to become officers were Porter W.
Carswell, President; Frank M. Cates, . . . — — Map (db m169037) HM
On Waynesboro Highway (Georgia Route 24), on the left when traveling north.
This highway has been following closely the course of the Old Quaker Road, one of Georgia's earliest vehicular thoroughfares. It was opened about 1769 to link Savannah, the colonial capital, with a Quaker settlement centering around Wrightsboro in . . . — — Map (db m7992) HM
On Old Sardis Road west of Cemetery Street, on the right when traveling west.
Erected 1810
Rebuilt 1847
Dismantled 1940 and material used in erecting pastorium in Sardis.
Originally Beech Branch Meeting House constituted in 1803. — — Map (db m12491) HM
On Pine Street at Burke Street, on the right when traveling north on Pine Street.
On Sept. 28, 1803, a group of men living in Burke County near Beech Branch Meeting House, "found to be in the true Baptist faith", by a presbytery of Rev. Henry Hand and Rev. John Ross, were constituted into one Body as a Baptist Church. A church . . . — — Map (db m18718) HM
Near Porter Carswell Road at Bellevue Plantation Road.
Dating from a royal grant by King George III to Samuel Eastlake in 1767, Bellevue Plantation has been owned continuously by the Carswell family since 1835. The year in which the house was built is not known but it is believed to have been erected . . . — — Map (db m169036) HM
On Botsford Church Road, 0.1 miles east of Cemetery Road, on the right when traveling west.
Botsford Church, Constituted in 1773 by the Rev. Edmund Botsford, was the second Baptist church in Georgia. Originally located 25 miles below Augusta, known as the New Savannah Church, it was moved about 10 miles to this place after the Revolution. . . . — — Map (db m13116) HM
On North Liberty Street (U.S. 25) at Court Street, on the right when traveling north on North Liberty Street.
Burke County, an original county, was created by the Const. of Feb. 5, 1777, from Creek Cession of May 30, 1733. In 1758, it had been organized as the Parish of St. George. Originally, it contained parts of Jefferson, Jenkins and Screven Counties. . . . — — Map (db m7856) HM
On North Liberty Street (U.S. 25) at East 6th Street (Georgia Route 56/80), on the right when traveling north on North Liberty Street.
Side 1:
For those who fought for it
Freedom has a taste the protected
will never know
The people of Burke County
dedicate this memorial to
the men who died in Vietnam.
John A. Bennett • Jackson E. Cox • Theus E. . . . — — Map (db m80104) WM
On N. Liberty St (U.S. 25) at W. 6th Street (Georgia Route 56/80) on N. Liberty St.
Historic Burke County, formerly St. George`s Parish, claims 8 Ga. Governors by birth, residence or marriage. JOHN HOUSTOUN (1744-1796), Rev. patriot, member of Continental Congress, Gov. 1778-1779 & 1784-1785, was born near present Waynesboro. . . . — — Map (db m7867) HM
On U.S. 25 at Idlewood Road when traveling north on U.S. 25. Reported missing.
On Dec. 3, 1864, Kilpatrick's cavalry division (USA), supported by Baird's division, 14th Corps, moving on the extreme left of General Sherman's army, reached the Augusta and Savannah Railroad and encamped, with Baird at Thomas' Station (0.2 mile E) . . . — — Map (db m170369) HM
On South Liberty Street (U.S. 25) at State Highway 24 on South Liberty Street.
In Honor Of The Men Under Command
Of Colonel Twiggs And Colonel Few
Who Victoriously Defended The
Cause Of The American Revolution
At The Battle Of Burke Jail
In 1779
Erected by the Georgia Society and the Edmund Burke Chapter . . . — — Map (db m7902) HM
On Myrick Street at Williams Street, on the right when traveling north on Myrick Street.
Scotch Presbyterians of St. George's Parish, now Burke County, by 1760 had organized churches at Brier Creek, Old Church (formerly Episcopalian) and Walnut Branch. In 1771 Rev. Josiah Lewis became the first permanent pastor, sent by the Synod of New . . . — — Map (db m40268) HM
On West Quaker Road, 1.9 miles west of Cohen Road, on the right when traveling west.
Ivanhoe Plantation was established in 1765 by a Crown Grant to Thomas Whitehead from King George III of England. The plantation is located 3 or 4 miles east of Waynesboro, Georgia and 15 miles along Brier Creek going down stream. The grant . . . — — Map (db m103303) HM
Near North Liberty Street (U.S. 25) at East 6th Street.
This tablet is placed to perpetuate
the memory of Burke County men who, in the
service of their country in the World War,
lost their lives in the sinking of the
S.S. OTRANTO, October 6th 1918
Wm. Broadus Carter, Wm. D. Herrington
Augustus . . . — — Map (db m7900) HM
On South Liberty Street (State Highway 24) at U.S. 25, on the left when traveling west on South Liberty Street.
The highway bearing left is the Old Quaker road, on of Georgia's earliest vehicular highways. It was opened about 1769 to provide a direct way from Savannah to a Quaker settlement centering around Wrightsboro in today's upper McDuffie County. . . . — — Map (db m8022) HM
On North Liberty Street (U.S. 25) at East 7th Street, on the right when traveling north on North Liberty Street.
Shell Bluff on the Savannah River 15 miles northeast has been famous since Indian days because of its outcrops of fossil shells including those of giant
oysters. These lived in the Eocene sea that covered this part of Georgia some 50 million years . . . — — Map (db m13134) HM
On West Quaker Road, 1.9 miles west of Cohen Road, on the right when traveling west.
This land is part of the former Ivanhoe Plantation property of the Whitehead family. The plantations home was located near the northeast corner of the Quaker road and the Walker Bridge road (Story Mill Road). A diary kept by 26-year-old Catharine . . . — — Map (db m103374) HM
On Georgia Route 24 at Rocky Creek Church Road, on the left when traveling west on State Route 24. Reported missing.
Dec. 2, 1864. Baird's Division, 14th Corps [US], marching on the left of Gen. Sherman’s army in support of Kilpatrick’s cavalry division, which was enroute to burn the bridges over Brier Creek, NE of Waynesboro, reached Rocky Creek about 10:00 A.M. . . . — — Map (db m60505) HM
On South Liberty Street (U.S. 25) at State Highway 24 on South Liberty Street.
Late on Nov. 26, 1864, elements of the 3rd Cavalry Division (USA), Brig. Gen. J.L. Kilpatrick, USA, of Gen. Sherman's army, reached the railroad bridge north of Waynesboro and partially burned it before being driven off by troops of the Cavalry . . . — — Map (db m7903) HM
On South Liberty Street (U.S. 25) south of 6th Street, on the left when traveling south.
Built about 1858 in the Georgian Cottage style as a home for J. D. Roberts, the house was designed by noted architect John Trowbridge. Subsequent occupants have included a doctor's office, millinery shop and county museum. In late 1864 the house . . . — — Map (db m103299) HM
On South Liberty Street (U.S. 25) 0 miles south of West 6th Street (Georgia Route 80), on the right when traveling south.
The game is yet in our own hands; to play it well is all we have to do – nothing but harmony, honesty, industry and frugality are necessary to make us a great and happy people.
George Washington — — Map (db m59851) HM
On North Liberty Street (U.S. 25) near Sixth / Peace Street (Georgia Route 56).
Traveling from Savannah to Augusta on his Southern tour of 1791, President George Washington stopped in Waynesboro on May 17. Departing from Savannah two days earlier, Washington lodged at "one Spencers " in Effingham County, fifteen miles north of . . . — — Map (db m7800) HM
On E. 6th Street at N. Liberty Street, on the right when traveling west on E. 6th Street.
On July 31, 1783, an Act was passed by the General Assembly meeting in Augusta to lay out a town, Waynesborough, on reserved or private land. Commissioners named (Thomas Lewis, Sr., Thomas Lewis, Jr., John Duhart, Edward Telfair, John Jones) were . . . — — Map (db m7868) HM
On Munnerlyn Alexander Road, 0.6 miles east of U.S. 25, on the right when traveling east.
On Dec. 3, 1864, after a hard march across Buckhead, Rocky Beaver Dam and Rosemary creeks from camps N. of Birdsville and W. of Buckhead Church, the 14th Corps [US], Maj. Gen. Jeff. C. Davis, [US] (less Baird's division) camped at Lumpkin's station . . . — — Map (db m13119) HM
Near Clement Boulevard Northwest at 24th Street NW, on the right when traveling west.
In 1992, work began on the stadium as a minor league team announced it would be returning to the City for the first time since the Hickory Rebels ended in 1970. The name L.P. Frans Stadium comes from Pepsi bottler Lee Polk Frans, whose daughters . . . — — Map (db m229310) HM
Near West McDowell Street north of South College Street, on the right when traveling north.
It is appropriate that the theme of the City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium's (COMMA) fresco be that of the nine Muses of Greek mythology. Offering inspiration as they ruled over the arts and sciences, The Muses were the daughters of Zeus and . . . — — Map (db m210388) HM
On North Green Street (State Highway 181) at Bost Road, on the left when traveling north on North Green Street.
French botanist, pioneer in studying flora of western North Carolina. Spent nights of Sept. 8, 1794, and May 2, 1795, at "Swan Ponds," 3 mi. S.W. — — Map (db m99603) HM
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. — — Map (db m99610) HM
On U.S. 70 at Summers Road, on the right when traveling east on U.S. 70.
Training camp for state troops, 1861-64, named for Col. Zebulon Vance, war governor, was here. The camp was raided by federal troops in 1864. — — Map (db m99612) HM
On West McDowell Street north of South College Street, on the right when traveling north.
Morganton native Etta Lucille Baker, starting at the age of three, played the Piedmont Blues for ninety years. Taught by her father Boone Reid, she first recorded “One Dime Blues” in 1956. At the height of the folk music revival during the 1950's . . . — — Map (db m210389) HM
On East Union Street (Business U.S. 70) at Lenoir Street, on the right when traveling south on East Union Street.
Hero of the Battle of Cowpens during the American Revolution. Burke County Patriot Militia fought alongside Morgan, a Virginian. In 1784 the Town of Morgansborough was established in his honor. The name was changed to Morganton in 1838. — — Map (db m187663) HM
On Greenlee Ford Road, 0.2 miles north of Carbon City Road (U.S. 70) when traveling north.
A patriot militia of about 1,500 men crossed this ford heading south on the morning of October 1, 1780. They were pursuing in enemy force led by Major Patrick Ferguson of the British Army. The men came from as far away as present-day eastern . . . — — Map (db m210355) HM
On West Concord Street west of South Anderson Street, on the right when traveling east.
Morganton's oldest intact historically Black neighborhood. Home to prominent citizens of the era, it is distinguished by the vernacular style of the homes and rural character of the landscape. — — Map (db m210386) HM
(Preface): On March 24, 1865, Union Gen. George Stoneman led 6,000 cavalrymen from Tennessee into southwestern Virginia and western North Carolina to disrupt the Confederate supply line by destroying sections of the Virginia and Tennessee . . . — — Map (db m20348) HM
On Sterling Street at Union Street on Sterling Street.
On March 24, 1865, Union Gen. George Stoneman led 6,000 cavalrymen from Tennessee into southwestern Virginia and western North Carolina to disrupt the Confederate supply line by destroying sections of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, the . . . — — Map (db m99609) HM
On Catawba Meadows Drive, 0.3 miles north of Sanford Drive (Business U.S. 64), on the right when traveling north.
From small bands of nomadic hunters and gatherers to builders of earthen mounds and permanent agricultural settlements, Native Americans have occupied the western Piedmont region for at least 12,000 years. This rich Native American history is . . . — — Map (db m210368) HM
On North Green Street (State Highway 181) at St Marys Church Road on North Green Street.
Rendezvous for "Over-Mountain Men" prior to Battle of Kings Mountain, 1780. Home of Joseph & Charles McDowell, military & political leaders. — — Map (db m99602) HM
Near Branstrom Drive, 0.2 miles north of Sam Wall Avenue when traveling north.
In gratitude for the valor
of these Revolutionary War patriots
whose fight for independence secured our liberty
General Charles McDowell • Major Joseph McDowell • Margaret O'Neal McDowell • Grace Greenlee McDowell • Colonel Alexander Erwin . . . — — Map (db m240438) WM
On East Union Street (Business U.S. 70) north of Bouchelle Street, on the right.
Black mothers led fight
for equality in education
Organized meetings and
demonstrations here, 1961.
Inspired nonviolent change. — — Map (db m240443) HM
On Lenoir Road (State Highway 16) 0.2 miles north of Sanford Drive (County Route 64), in the median.
On their raid through western North Carolina Gen. Stoneman's U.S. cavalry skirmished with Confederates near here on April 17, 1865. — — Map (db m20346) HM
Near McConnaughey Lane, 5 miles south of Swan Pond Drive (County Road 1297), on the left when traveling south.
Col. Waightstill Avery
1741-1821
Revolutionary War
Patriot
Col. Waightstill Avery
First Attorney General
for the
State of North Carolina
1778-1779 — — Map (db m210351) HM WM
On Catawba Meadows Drive, 0.3 miles north of Sanford Drive (Business U.S. 64), on the right when traveling north.
History of the Site: 31BK18 In the 1960s, local artifact collectors often found Native American artifacts at the Ralph Edwards Tree Nursery in Morganton (now the property known as the Catawba Meadows Recreation Park).
Mr. Charles Carey, a . . . — — Map (db m210372) HM
On North Green Street (State Highway 181) at Bost Road on North Green Street.
First Attorney General of North Carolina, 1777-79, member provincial Congresses, colonel in Revolution. "Swan Ponds," his home, was 3 mi. S.W. — — Map (db m99607) HM
On Wildflower Lane west of Pittmans Gap Road, on the right when traveling west. Reported missing.
A Walk on the Wild Side
Do roots anchor living things to one place …really? According to best-selling
author Henning Mankell, “You can have more than one home. You can carry your
roots with you and decide where they grow.” This is so . . . — — Map (db m229326) HM
Evolved from private school opened c. 1853 by R.L. Abernethy. Operated 1900-1933 by Methodist Church. Closed 1935. The original site 1.3 mi N. — — Map (db m20391) HM
Evolved from private school opened c. 1853 by R.L. Adernethy. Operated 1900-1933 by Methodist Church. Closed 1935. The original site 8/10 mi N. — — Map (db m20393) HM
For the European Waldensian settlers of Valdese, a clock tower served as a landmark or beacon for a town's inhabitants. This landmark honors and memorializes all these founders, leaders, citizens and organizations who have greatly contributed to the . . . — — Map (db m20406) HM
To the Waldensian Colony
from the Cottian Alps.
who settled here first
in 1893
numbering in all 427,
in recognition of their
Christian ideals, integrity, industry and good citizenship
this monument is erected,
by the Town of Valdese.
And . . . — — Map (db m20336) HM
First Marker:Centennial Seal
Official Seal of the 100th
Celebration of the founding
of Valdese
Future
From an agrarian beginning
through Industrial growth,
comes a bright horizon
Civic
Citizens Band together . . . — — Map (db m20396) HM
On Rodoret Street South at Janavel Avenue Southwest, on the right when traveling south on Rodoret Street South.
Liberty, Faith and Honor. The Waldenses, dating from at least the 12th century, were a persecuted people who survived plagues, exiles into barren lands and the edicts of rulers calling for their extinction. These faithful people wanted to read the . . . — — Map (db m210391) HM
On Main Street just south of 2nd Avenue West, on the left when traveling north.
World War I Walter Frye • Chester Haugerud World War II Delmar Souther • Lyal Fenster • Arthur Horntvedt • Kenneth Johnston • Oliver Hovland • Marvin Sorlie • Arvid Dahl • Arnold Dollarhide • Harold Haugstad • William . . . — — Map (db m202896) WM
