Durham’s five (soon to be six) vibrant, new Civil War markers showcase an important part of the community’s rich history.
Over the past year, DCVB has been working closely with local historians, the City, and the North Carolina Civil War Trails program to facilitate background, qualify sites, develop copy and site maps, and enlist strategic partners to sponsor the markers.
The markers are a part of a new N.C. Civil War Trail titled "Carolinas Campaign," which follows Union General Sherman's march through N.C. and ends in Durham at Bennett Place State Historic Site.
The trail is patterned after a successful predecessor in Virginia and is an example of one of many co-op marketing DCVB does with other destination marketing organizations and State divisions.
With heavy marketing and promotion, the markers will re-introduce historic/cultural travelers to Durham’s rich Civil War history.
Click on the images below to see Durham’s five Civil War markers (with a sixth marker to be installed early this fall at Durham Fire Station #13 on S. Miami Blvd.):
Bennett Place State Historic Site: Farmstead where the Civil War effectively ended, as Generals Sherman and Johnston met and arranged the war’s largest troop surrender. Marker at Bennett Place State Historic Site, 4409 Bennett Memorial Rd.
Duke Homestead State Historic Site: Brightleaf tobacco, confiscated and distributed by soldiers, led to a manufacturing and marketing revolution that helped rejuvenate the South. Marker at Duke Homestead State Historic Site and Tobacco Museum, 2828 Duke Homestead Rd.
Durham’s Station: Rail station was the primary stop for Union officers during surrender negotiations at James Bennitt’s farm, and Union Commander Kilpatrick established headquarters at the nearby home of Richard Blacknall. Marker at the American Tobacco Historic District on Blackwell Street behind the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
Leigh Farm (at Patterson’s Mill Country Store): Union and Confederate forces clashed three separate times throughout this area—the third skirmish being the last combat of the Civil War in North Carolina. Marker at Patterson’s Mill Country Store, 5109 Farrington Rd.
West Point on the Eno City Park: Union cavalrymen camped here during the surrender negotiations at James Bennitt’s farm. Marker at West Point on the Eno City Park, 5000 N. Roxboro Rd.
“We're very happy that the Leigh Farm is gaining the attention that it deserves,” said Curtis Booker, who, with Gail Booker, co-owns and mangers Patterson’s Mill Country Store where the Leigh Farm marker is located. “Recognition that the farm was the site of the final clashes of the Civil War in North Carolina is an important step in the development of the Leigh Farm Park.”
Civil War history is of interest to a growing number of travelers, some of whom will be drawn to follow the trail, but most can be motivated to the sites during trips to Durham for other purposes through promotion of the markers.
According to research by the Travel Industry Association of America, historic/cultural travelers are most interested in historic sites (43%)—sites like Durham’s historic districts and Civil War landmarks. That equates to almost 120 million historical/cultural travelers who visit historic or cultural sites nationally each year.
Once the final marker is installed at Durham Fire Station #13, Durham will be home to six Civil War markers on the statewide trail. DCVB has already begun qualifying more Durham sites for similar Civil War markers, including markers for:
- Durham Light Infantry (Company C, 6th N.C. Infantry) — participated in the famous charge up Cemetery Hill.
- Flat River Guards (Company B, 6th N.C. Infantry) — were in heavy action at first Battle of Manassas.
- Orange Factory, near the Treyburn/Stagville area — where Confederate uniforms were manufactured.
- Maplewood Cemetery — A Confederate soldiers’ plot contains rows of uniform stones marketing graves of Confederate soldiers, resting alongside prominent Durham tobacco magnates and former community leaders.
