Francis Nash Arch [Removed], Guilford Courthouse
This monumental structure, made out of granite blocks consisting of two piers connected by an arch, was reminiscent of a Roman Triumphal Arch. Each pier housed a bronze plaque. The arch, which has since been removed, overlooked a path along the grounds of the Guilford Courthouse. It stood 33 feet high with a width of 28 feet. This arch was one of two identical monuments built on the battleground in 1905 and dedicated in 1906.
Historic images: Nash and Davidson Arch |
Nash Arch Before Removal |
Nash Arch Removal Crane handling Keystone in Summer of 1937 | Nash Arch Removal |
Nash Arch with Scaffolding for Removal |
Nash Arch with Workmen and Crane
Brigadier General Francis Nash, born 1742 fatally wounded in battle of Germantown, Oct. 4th, 1777; member of Provincial Congress of N.C., 1775; Lieutenant Colonel Sept. 10th, 1775; Colonel April 10th, 1776; Brigadier General Feb. 5, 1777. / “Ever since the dawn of the Revolution, I have stood for the cause of liberty and my country.” / In honor of the memory of Brig. General Francis Nash, who fell in the battle of Germantown on the 4th day of Oct., 1777, bravely contending for the independence of his country.
July 4, 1906
36.132360 , -79.845260
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"1st--Davidson, 2nd--Nash Arches, Guilford Battle Ground, Greensboro, N.C.," in Durwood Barbour Collection of North Carolina Postcards (P077), North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives, Wilson Library, UNC-Chapel Hill, (accessed March 13, 2012) Link
"Guilford Battle Ground Affairs," Greensboro Patriot Weekly (Greensboro, NC), June 1, 1903, 1-2 Link
"Guilford Courthouse: Historic Park Scenes," National Park Service, (accessed November 30, 2011) Link
"The Battle Ground Celebration," Greensboro Patriot Weekly (Greensboro, NC), July 5, 1905, 6 Link
"Turner Statue, Morehead Monument, Davidson & Nash Arches, Greensboro, N.C.," in Durwood Barbour Collection of North Carolina Postcards (P077), North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives, Wilson Library, UNC-Chapel Hill, (accessed September 13, 2013) Link
Baker, Thomas E. and Michael H. White. The Monuments at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, North Carolina, (Greensboro, NC: Guilford Courthouse NMP, 1991)
Folder 4 in Alfred M. Waddell Papers, #743, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, see scans 7-8 Link
Folder 44a in Joseph M. Morehead Papers, #523, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, see scans 27, 37-38, 40-42, 51-56, 59-60, 62-67, 68-74, 77, 78 Link
Folder 44b in Joseph M. Morehead Papers, #523, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, see scans 15-19, 20-21, 29, 36-39, 44, 57-59, 60-61, 66-67, 70-72 Link
Folder 44c in Joseph M. Morehead Papers, #523, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, see scans 7, 8, 11-21, 44-45, 49-54, 56-59, 62, 64 Link
Folder 44d in Joseph M. Morehead Papers, #523, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, see scans 1-2, 6, 10-13, 40, 45, 49, 51, 54, 55, 61-62, 64-71 Link
Folder 45a in Joseph M. Morehead Papers, #523, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, see scans 17-18, 31, 36, 43-44 Link
Folder 45a in Joseph M. Morehead Papers, #523, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, see scans 90-91 Link
Folder 48a in Joseph M. Morehead Papers, #523, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, see scan 63 Link
Folder 49 in Joseph M. Morehead Papers, #523, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, see scans 8, 11-12, 18-19, 22 Link
Folder 50 in Joseph M. Morehead Papers, #523, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, see scans 86-87 Link
Folder 52 in Joseph M. Morehead Papers, #523, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, see scans 20, 54-55, 72, 75, 77 Link
Folder 53 in Joseph M. Morehead Papers, #523, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, see scans 43-44, 57-59, 90, 100 Link
Folder 54a in Joseph M. Morehead Papers, #523, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, see scans 2-6, 10-11, 16-18, 35-36, 77-79, 118-119 Link
Folder 62c in Joseph M. Morehead Papers, #523, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, see scan 82 Link
Folder 7 in Alfred M. Waddell Papers, #743, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, see scans 12-14, 41-44, 62-63, 80 Link
Grimes, J. Bryan. "Why North Carolina Should Erect and Preserve Memorials and Mark Historic Places: Address Before the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association, Raleigh, N.C., November 4, 1909," ([Raleigh, NC: The News and Observer, 1909]), (accessed May 18, 2012) Link
Reed, John F., 1991. “Nash, Francis,” NCpedia.org, (accessed November 11, 2019) Link
United States Congressional Record. "Nash and Davidson Monuments: Full Text of the Debate Between Congressmen Cannon and Kitchin," from the U.S. Congressional Record, 57th Congress, First Session, Washington, D.C., July 1, 1902, (accessed February 6, 2012) Link
Waddell, Alfred Moore. Gen. Francis Nash, (Greensboro, NC: Guilford Battle Ground Company, 1906), (accessed February 8, 2012) Link
“Memorial to Two Heroes,” The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, NC), July 5, 1906
“No Drunkenness Is in Greensboro,” The Charlotte News (Charlotte, NC), January 6, 1905
Yes
Mt. Airy Granite, bronze tablets
$5000
Dedication day saw the unveiling of two identical monuments, one to William Lee Davidson and another to Francis Nash. Col. A.M. Waddell of Wilmington presented a speech on the life of Francis Nash and Major W.A. Graham of Lincoln County spoke on the life of William Lee Davidson.
[Additional information from NCpedia editors at the State Library of North Carolina: This person enslaved and owned other people. Many Black and African people, their descendants, and some others were enslaved in the United States until the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in 1865. It was common for wealthy landowners, entrepreneurs, politicians, institutions, and others to enslave people and use enslaved labor during this period. To read more about the enslavement and transportation of African people to North Carolina, visit https://aahc.nc.gov/programs/africa-carolina-0. To read more about slavery and its history in North Carolina, visit https://www.ncpedia.org/slavery. - Government and Heritage Library, 2023.]
The Francis Nash Arch, which has since been removed, overlooked a path along the grounds of the Guilford Courthouse.
Originally the New Garden Road passed through the arch. The arch was dismantled in 1937.
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