Hidden History

Duke Blue Devils playing against the Oregon State Beavers at the 1942 Rose Bowl

Fields of Honor

A historic Rose Bowl pitted Duke University against Oregon State in Durham. Then, in the dark days of World War II, those same football players — and a legendary coach — joined forces to fight for freedom.

Fli-Back paddle with balls and yo-yos

Many Happy Returns

In 1931, a High Point salesman turned a simple child’s toy into the Fli-Back paddle ball, a worldwide sensation that entertained millions of kids — and helped create North Carolina’s very own Paddle Ball King.

Andrews Geyser, and the rail road through Old Fort.

Appalachian Spring

The story behind Andrews Geyser is deep, complex, and as irrepressible as the man-made fountain itself. It goes back to the 1870s, when the railroad finally climbed the Blue Ridge Escarpment near Old Fort. The tragic cost of that achievement is still being uncovered today.

More Posts