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.
An Honorable Khaki
Just prior to the Great Depression, a Gaston County textile mill introduced a special khaki weave that served our armed forces with distinction for five decades.
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.
Hitch a Ride on the Hoover Cart
Saddled with high prices brought on by the Great Depression, enterprising North Carolinians came up with a unique way of getting around that became an international fad.
Lassie’s Showstopping Slide
In 1966, America’s favorite collie proved herself to be one cool customer as she went down Sliding Rock for an episode of one of the country’s most beloved TV shows.
The Richmond Temperance and Literary Society
In Wagram, a circa-1860 red-brick hall offers a revealing glimpse into the lives of Scottish immigrants who answered a higher calling.
The Razzle Dazzled Battleship
A camouflage paint scheme designed to evade enemy attacks during World War II is now a star attraction for the Battleship North Carolina.
Remembering Piedmont Punch
Throughout its history, Winston-Salem’s Piedmont Airlines stayed one step ahead of the competition by coming up with innovative ways to satisfy its customers, like a one-of-a-kind beverage that former passengers and employees still thirst for.
50 Things You Didn’t Know About North Carolina
The history of the Old North State is peppered with little-known facts and fascinating tidbits. More than ephemera, these are the details that add color and texture to the story of our state.
