NC History
Presidential Namesakes
More than a dozen North Carolina destinations owe their names to U.S. presidents:
- Washington: At least 20 U.S. municipalities have named themselves for President George Washington, but this Pamlico River town did it first. Nearby Washington County is also named for our first president.
Mount Jefferson State Natural Area
- Jefferson: The Ashe County seat is named for Thomas Jefferson, as are the town of West Jefferson and Jefferson Mountain State Natural Area.
- Madison County and the town of Madison (in Rockingham County): Both are named for James Madison.
- Monroe: East of Charlotte, the Union County seat is named for James Monroe.
- Jackson County and the city of Jacksonville (the Onslow County seat): Both are named for Andrew Jackson.
- Taylorsville: The Alexander County seat is probably named for Zachary Taylor.
- Lincoln and Lincolnton: The county and its seat, which are northwest of Charlotte, are named for Abraham Lincoln.
- Grover: Grover Cleveland claimed North Carolina’s 11 electoral votes in 1884, and this tiny town could hardly resist taking his name when it incorporated the next year — especially since it’s in Cleveland County. (For the record, “Cleveland” honors Revolutionary War hero Benjamin Cleveland.)
Read more about North Carolina's presidential past.
added: May 23, 2012
updated: May 23, 2012
This Page:
http://www.visitnc.com/journeys/articles/nc-history/1/presidential-namesakes
