Old Hickory Tavern
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| Old Hickory Tavern - Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| HSP Category | Building/landmark |
| Period | 1783 |
| Architect | William McMullen |
| HSP Style | 18th century |
| Builder | William McMullen |
Historical Significance
Old Hickory Tavern, Birthplace of Hickory, NC The small tavern that would later be known as the Hickory Tavern was first constructed in the late-eighteenth century and operated by John Bradburn. The tavern served guests who were travelling on the major east-west road that led through Catawba and was reportedly renamed the "Hickory Tavern" in the eighteenth century for its proximity to large hickory trees. Though the tavern was the first building constructed in what is now known as Hickory, the town would not be incorporated as a city until 1889. Previously, a charter designated the corporate limits of one square mile centered around the railroad depot in 1863, and the town was named after the popular tavern at this time. The town would retain this name until 1873, when a second charter was ratified and the town's name was changed to Hickory. The tavern was surrounded by small family farms with the oldest known surviving farm being that of the Hawn Family.
Marker Wording
To the rear of this spot stood a log house known in 1799 as Hickory Tavern. This tract of 640 acres was surveyed by Col. Christopher W. Beekman on June 8, 1779 and was granted to William McMullen Oct. 28, 1783 on the south side of this tavern ran the following road
"On May 10, 1769 the Worshipful
Court of Rowan County, N.C. Met:
Present William Temp. Coles • John Ford • John Oliphant, Esquires"
On Petition of sundry inhabitants of the upper part of the Cataba River for to view and lay off a road from the cove on the North Fork of the Cataba River the best way to Salisbury by Sherrill's Ford. The following Jury be appointed, to Wit,
Cap: Adam Sherrill • Richard Lewis • Francis Patton • James McLane • Samuel Brown • William Moore • Michael Litten • Boston Clyne, Junr. • Abraham Scott • Jacob Sherrill • Aquilla Sherrill • Andrew Killion • John Bridges, Senr. • John McDowell • John Pearsons • William Simpson • John McPeetors • Joseph White • Peter Lowrance • George Cathey • William Richey • Uty Sherrill • Robert Payton • Robert Branch
Overseers
William Deavor • Simon Jonas • Robert Bigham Perkins
Erected 1951 by the Hickory Tavern Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.
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