Topics Related to This Day in North Carolina History

Silas McDowell, Originator of the Thermal Zone Concept

Silas McDow

Carolina Cavalier J.J. Pettigrew Mortally Wounded at Falling Waters

An image of Pettigrew from the N.C. Museum of History‘s collection

Tryon Mountain Along the Indian Boundary, 1767

Tryon Mount

Krispy Kreme Makes its Debut in Winston-Salem

On July 13, 1937, Vernon Rudolph began making yeast-raised doughnuts in a rented building in Winston-Salem. He used a secret recipe he had bought from a New Orleans French pastry chef.

John Harris Hang Glides from Grandfather Mountain, 1974

On July 13, 1974, John Harris became the first person to hang glide from the 1,600-foot high rock pinnacle of Grandfather Mountain. Harris managed to convince Hugh Morton, the mountain’s owner, to let him make the daring attempt during the mountain’s annual Gatheri

Homegrown Raleigh Powerhouse, CP&L

On July 13, 1908, the Carolina Power & Light Company (CP&L) was chartered.

The Grove Park Inn and Its Host of Prominent Guests

On July 12, 1913, the Grove Park Inn opened on Sunset Mountain near Asheville.

Southern Banks Fell to British in War of 1812

On July 12, 1813, a British fleet under the command of Admiral George Cockburn continued the invasion of the Outer Banks that had begun the night before. Before the day was over, the British had taken Ocracoke and Portsmouth Islands.

“Die With It in You!”: The Execution of Frankie Silver

On July 12, 1833, Frankie Silver was hanged in Morganton after being convicted of killing her husband Charlie with an axe and hacking his body into pieces.

North Carolina Railroad Boosts the Piedmont Economy

On July 11, 1851, construction on the North Carolina Railroad began in Greensboro.