Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Main House - Polk Historical Site

Pineville, NC. 2025

The main house is a reproduction of what Polk's birthplace might have looked liked, based on North Carolina Gov David Swain's 1849 description of the house.  The building used materials from buildings in Mecklenburg County that dated from the mid 19th century.  Polk lived here until 1806 when his family moved to Tennessee.  The Polk Historic Site was dedicated in 1968.

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

James K Polk Historical Site

 

Pineville, NC. 2025

This monument was erected in 1904 by the Daughters of the American Revolution commemorating the birth place of James K Polk, who was born on this property in 1795.  The monument was moved here from its original location to allow construction of a replica of the house where Polk was born. 



Saturday, April 5, 2025

Uptown Tea Shop

Waxhaw, NC. 2025

Not only do they offer a wide variety to loose teas,  they offer art classes and space to work.  It's always a busy place. 

 

Friday, April 4, 2025

Water Tower - Another View

Waxhaw, NC. 2025

I very rarely visit the downtown area of Waxhaw, without taking a picture of the historic water tower.

Sunday, March 30, 2025

Muddy Waters

Waxhaw, NC. 2025

I miss the creeks and streams of the New England area.  They were always much cleaner than the creeks I've seen in this part of North Carolina.  This is a view after a night of thunderstorms.  


 

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Creek Debris

Waxhaw, NC. 2025

12 Mile Creek is prone to flooding and deposited this pile of debris after a recent severe thunderstorm.

Friday, March 28, 2025

12 Mile Creek

Waxhaw, NC  2025

I'm not sure how the 12 Mile Creek got its name, but it is a part of the Catawba River Basin, a major source of water for this area.  
 

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Siding

Waxhaw, NC  2025

 Here's the view looking west, or southbound for the tracks.  Trains headed this way end up in South Carolina and other points south.  The town of Waxhaw sees a lot of train traffic with 2-4 trains passing through each day.  Freight trains don't run on any set schedule, so it's hard to predict when a train will come.

Monday, March 24, 2025

Where the Tracks Diverge

Waxhaw, NC. 2025

This view is looking east, although I think this is the northbound direction of the tracks. Going in this direction takes the trains to Monroe and other points north.  


 

Sunday, March 23, 2025

Saturday, March 22, 2025

House Portraits 4

Waxhaw, NC. 2025

This house also features a "Thomasson" on the second story.  

Friday, March 21, 2025

House Portraits 3


Waxhaw, NC. 2025

This is one of my favorite houses in downtown Waxhaw.  During my editing I often do a black and white rendering to see which I prefer.  This house rendered very well in black and white.  I'm not sure which I prefer.

Thursday, March 20, 2025

House Portraits 2

Waxhaw, NC. 2025

This house only gives a hint of the grandeur one can find behind the trees and shrubs.




 

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

House Portraits

Waxhaw, NC. 2025

Downtown Waxhaw is an historic district with a number of unique homes.  Notice the door on the second floor of this home.  It opens onto the roof of the front porch.  I wonder if it ever served a purpose?  Such features are often referred to as Thomasson's.  The feature has been preserved and is now part of the art of the building.



 

Monday, March 17, 2025

Old Mansion

Monroe, NC. 2025

At one time there was a lot of wealth in Monroe.  The historic district near downtown had a number of large mansions.  This has been very well kept.

 

Sunday, March 16, 2025

Belk's

Monroe, NC. 2025

Belk's is a department store that was founded by William Henry Belk in 1888 here in Monroe.  It now has about 300 hundred stores throughout 16 states.  The only presence in Monroe, other than an historical marker a few blocks from here,  that I could find is this sign.
 

Friday, March 14, 2025

Stone Building

Monroe, NC. 2025

This building seemed a little out of place, compared with the other brick buildings seen in downtown Monroe.

 

Saturday, March 8, 2025

Old Door

Monroe, NC. 2025

I wonder when was the last time this door was opened.  I think it has been awhile.

 

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Downtown Monroe



Monroe, NC. 2025

Monroe is the county seat for Union County, NC.  Most of the businesses here relate to county administration and legal matters.  At one time there was a lot of wealth here, but today there seems to be a lot of empty buildings in the downtown area.

 

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

UDC Confederate Memorial

Monroe, NC. 2025

 The memorial remembers the confederate soldiers from Union County and was erected here by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Saturday, February 22, 2025

Monday, February 17, 2025

"Littler" Sugar Creek

 

Charlotte, NC. 2025

One of the many smaller streams that drain into the Little Sugar Creek, I guess it must be "littler".  Eventually all of this water finds its way to the Catawba River.