100 North Carolina Icons – Doc Watson, Richard Petty, Mayberry, Furniture, Carolina in My Mind, ACC Basketball, Billy Graham, and others.
ONLINE EXCLUSIVES
Explore
- Use this quick checklist to experience the 100 North Carolina Icons
- Enjoy a hot dog at one of the spots in our Hot Dog Tour – available on the TRAVEL NORTH CAROLINA app
Video
- Watch an interview with Philip Gerard on the music legend Doc Watson
- Learn a shag step or two from Ron and Pam Hall
Listen
- Hear the original 1968 version of “Carolina in My Mind”
- This month’s soundtrack is inspired by the music in the issue
PHOTO ESSAY
From Whence Come You by Heather Magruder
Photography by Emily Chaplin
In the 1700s, England passes bans on Scottish customs, such as dance and music, so many Scots left home and came to the United States. And they brought those customs with them. Every July, in the fog of Grandfather Mountain, we honor them. We honor the men and women who first made North Carolina home, and how they stayed true to who they were, even in a new land. At the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, we honor pride.
FEATURES
The Civil War: A General’s Fatal Anger by Philip Gerard
Illustration by Joseph Edwards
The Hangings at Kinston, Part II: Just after another defeat in battle, Maj. Gen. George E. Pickett unleashes his frustration on a group of deserters, rope by rope by rope.
Volume 2, Part 7
What is a North Carolina Icon
We believe in the small town. We believe in a higher power. We believe in music that speaks to our soul. We believe in making things with our own hands. We believe yellow means slow, green means go, and checkered means victory. We believe in hard fouls, fast breaks, and make-it, take-it. We believe in winning. What is an icon? It’s more than a person or a place or an industry. It’s something that becomes part of our belief system. In the pages that follow, we present the ones we hold highest.
Being Mayberry by Michael Parker
Photography by Travis Dove
In the foothills, a town plays its television role to dawdle time away.
Man With a Mission by Jimmy Tomlin
Archived images courtesy of the Cove
“Why me, Lord? Why did You choose a farm boy from North Carolina to preach to so many people?”
Doc Watson by Philip Gerard
Photography by Peter Figen and Joey & Jessica Seawell
As an infant growing up in Watauga County, Arthel Lane Watson lost his sight. As a teenager, he picked up a guitar and created sound. Now, that sound and that guitar and that blind man are forever linked in one name that will live as long as music is played: Doc.
Furniture Throne by Jeffrey Turner
Photography by Stacey Van Berkel and Robert Ponzoni
In the early 1900s, we looked to the hardwoods and built an industry that produced more household furniture than any other state in the country. Times and business practices change, but we still proclaim: Ours is better.
The King by Michael Graff
Photography by Geoff Wood
North Carolina made racing. Richard Petty made it cool. And even now at 75 years old, there’s no slowing The King.
Basketball Road by Brady Dennis
Archived images provided by North Carolina State Archives
In our state, the ACC isn’t about one school or one player or one game. To name one brings memories of another, and then another. Collectively, those performances and those people and those institutions from North Carolina form the heartbeat of a sport that expands well beyond our boundaries.
Carolina in My Mind by Nic Brown
Photography by Steve Exum
More than a song and more than a state of mind, James Taylor’s classic speaks to where we’ve been, where we are, and where we always want to be.
DEPARTMENTS
Welcome
Larger Than Life by Elizabeth Hudson
Photography by Sara Brennen-Harrell
Our State Quiz
Tar Heel Textiles by Alan Hodge
Photography courtesy of NC Archives
In the early 19th century, industry brought hands from the farm to the factory to spin, weave, and produce.
Carolina Culture
Falling-in-Love Music by Rosecrans Baldwin
Photography courtesy of Outer Banks History Center
Summers are filled with teenage love, shag lessons, and the unforgettable music of the time.
Oh, Won’t You Stay? by Herbert L. White
Photography by Gayle Shomer
A Charlotte man’s 97-second song sticks in listener’s minds for decades.
Spreading His Gospel by Lori K. Tate
Photography by Gayle Shomer
A Gaston County disc jockey works to revive beach music.
Book Review
Dancing on the Dunes by Molly Harrison
Photography courtesy of Outer Banks History Center
In Nags Head, teenagers rocked the floors of the Casino when they danced.
The Shaggers by Ashton Astbury
Photography by Joey and Jessica Seawell
A couple wins ribbons for a classic Carolina dance.
Tar Heel Town
Wrightsville Beach by Josh Shaffer
Photography by Beatrice Yaxley
The birds fly free. The people kick back. The wind blows steady. The worries fade away. Here, everything’s all right.
Tar Heel History
Mill Village Heroes by Tripp Mickle
Photography courtesy of John Rhyne
In Gaston County, mills lured the best baseball players to work in factories and play on their teams.
Good Food
Hot Dog Hour by Josh Shaffer
Photography by Lissa Gotwals
A club in Raleigh meets once a month to experiment with its favorite food.
Faithful Following by Jeri Rowe
Photography by Lissa Gotwals and Joey & Jessica Seawell
Every Fourth of July, a Rowan County restaurant serves hundreds of hot dogs.
Bright Leaf Brand by Leah Hughes
Photography by Bert VanderVeen
In eastern N.C., we like our hot dogs red.
Sugary Squares by Jeffrey Turner
Photography by Matt Hulsman
Elks Lodges across the state share regional favorites.
Recipes
Ocean Harvest by Leah Hughes
Photography courtesy of Outer Banks SeaSalt
Outer Banks SeaSalt is a specialty ingredient straight from our shore.
Carolina Gardening
Our Natural Habitat by Chic Womick
Photography by Joey and Jessica Seawell
Should you pick that flower? Should you dig up that moss? An exhibit at the N.C. Zoo in Asheboro makes us think twice about our everyday surroundings.
Honeysuckle by Leah Hughes
Photography courtesy of JC Raulston Arboretum
The ‘trumpet” variety grows statewide.
Dates & Events
Latta Plantation by Julia Sayers
Photography courtesy of Latta Plantation
In Huntersville, a thriving plantation is the result of revival.
5 Things Every North Carolinian Should Do This Month
Relax on the sweeping lawn of Chetola Resort listening to the Symphony of the Mountains and watching a fireworks display, cool off with Dan River Adventures, experience the best of mountain music and life at the Franklin Folk Festival, celebrate America’s 236th birthday at the N.C. 4th of July Festival, and shop for all-natural, stone-ground cornmeal and grits at the Old Mill of Guilford.
Tar Heel Image
Rural Route by Bill Whitlow of Virginia Beach
Barnyard on U.S. Highway 158, Moyock
