James K. Polk Memorial, Pineville
The memorial marking the birthplace of President James K. Polk is a slender pyramid shaped structure constructed of masonry and field stones. A small marble plaque set into the front holds the inscription.
Images:
Marble plaque |
Side view
HERE STOOD THE HOUSE / IN WHICH WAS BORN / NOVEMBER 2, 1795 / JAMES KNOX POLK, / PRESIDENT / OF THE UNITED STATES / 1845-1849. / ERECTED BY MECKLENBURG / CHAPTER DAUGHTERS OF THE / AMERICAN REVOLUTION, / 1904.
James K. Polk North Carolina Historic Site
September 26, 1904. Rededication: 2010
North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, State Preservation Office. “Historic Architectural Survey Report for Bridge 49 on SR 4982 over Little Sugar Creek, B-5105, Mecklenburg County, ER 08-2640,” April 27, 2011, (accessed August 12, 2020) Link
White, Joyce, 2006. James K. Polk Memorial,” NCPedia.org, (accessed August 10, 2017) Link
“James K. Polk Birthplace-Mecklenburg County, North Carolina,” PresidentsUSA.net, (accessed August 10, 2017) Link
“Polk Monument Was Unveiled,” The Charlotte News (Charlotte, NC), September 27, 1904
“President James K. Polk,” President James K. Polk State Historic Site, (accessed August 10, 2020) Link
“Unveiling Polk Monument,” The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, NC), September 27, 1904
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Field stones and masonry
Mecklenburg Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution
Regent Lily Long delivered an address of welcome before the 200 in attendance followed by the singing of “America.” Dr. J.B. Alexander gave an address on Polk’s life which was followed by “The Old North State” being sung. Walter Stacy then read a sketch of Polk’s life by Mr. W.E. Ardrey. The program ended with Miss Julia Robinson pulling a cord to unveil the memorial as the band struck up “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The James K. Polk Memorial site at Pineville marks the probable birthplace of the nation's eleventh president. It consists of a reconstructed house, kitchen, and barn as well as the relocated Polk family cemetery. Polk was born on November 2, 1795, but the family moved to Tennessee when Polk was 11 years old. He returned to the state to attend the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where he graduated with high honors but his climb to the presidency was achieved in Tennessee. His birthplace in North Carolina was largely forgotten and by 1900 the family's log house at Pineville had fallen to the ground. Interest in his link to North Carolina was rekindled when the Daughters of the American Revolution marked the spot in 1904. In 1964 Polk's birthplace became a North Carolina State Historic Site.
The James K. Polk Historic site is located at 12031 Lancaster Highway, Pineville, North Carolina.
The memorial was moved a short distance in 1967 to make way for construction of a log cabin of the type Polk may have been born in.
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