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Falls Rd c 1915 French Quadruplexes found in varied states of completion.

Places

People

Items

Our Exhibits

Tours of Badin and West Badin

A walk or short drive can reveal Badin’s unique character to both visitor and resident.

Badin Historic Map

Badin Map and Tour

West Badin Map and Tour

West Badin Map and Tour

Places

Commercial Block Demolished

Commercial Block Demolished

There is a large vacant lot on the corner of Yadkin Court and Pine St.  Probably most of us, especially newcomers, don’t even think about it when we pass by.  Until 1986 it was occupied by the last prominent commercial property on Pine St, known as the...

Old Whitney

Old Whitney

In Jan 1908 Scientific American  paper  published its cover article on the Whitney Dam Construction Project near the Yadkin River’s Narrows Gorge.   Located between Stanly and Montgomery Counties,the construction of a  granite block dam was  well underway . ...

The Hardaway Site

The Hardaway Site

In 1912 the French Southern Aluminium Co  hired the Hardaway Construction Co to build the dam at the Narrows gorge.  When the French left in 1914, a few of Hardaway’s employees stayed on to offer security for the unfinished  project.  When Alcoa...

People

John Cornelius Palmer, Pro Golfer (1918-2006)

John Cornelius Palmer, Pro Golfer (1918-2006)

Based on Article in April, 1949 SPORT Magazine by Wilton Garrison Johnny with Bob Hope among others. He is 3rd from left in photo. In 1949, Johnny Palmer was referred to as one of Golf’s newest stars.  When asked Why he chose the profession of golf, notoriously...

Arthur Vining Davis

Arthur Vining Davis

On Thanksgiving Day, 1888 the first commercial aluminum was poured in Pittsburgh PA.  Through the efforts of two men, in a small  workshop, the future empire of ALCOA began.  Charles Martin Hall, financed by Alfred Hunt and the then named ...

Lou Donaldson

Lou Donaldson

Lou Donaldson was born November 1, 1926  in Badin NC to parents Lucy Wallace Donaldson & Louis Andrew Donaldson.  The second of four children, Lou showed an exceptional aptitude in music, baseball and academic studies.   Years later, “Sweet...

Items

VFD Hose Cart

VFD Hose Cart

In 1916 Tallassee Power Company and the men of Badin formed the Volunteer Fire Department.  Among the first equipment they purchased were two 1909 Hand Pulled Hose Carts.  They also purchased a small chemical cart and a hook & ladder system.  The...

Narrows Dam Water Wheel

Narrows Dam Water Wheel

This industrial artifact stands at the center of downtown Badin on the historic green space .  Curiosity often overcomes the visitor to the town prompting them to   pull over the car, get out and stand in  wonder at this “art piece”: a monument to industry here in...

The Badin Bomber

The Badin Bomber

The story of the WWII Bomber, still resting at the bottom of Badin Lake, has captured the public’s imagination for decades. But why not?   The story has something for everyone.  It is  peppered with mystery, even intrigue.  It is about military...

Museum

French Quadruplex

French Quadruplex

In 2004, while preparing to build the Firehouse Museum building, the adjacent quadruplex came on the market.  The idea for purchasing and restoring the neighboring property quickly took hold.  To bring the apartment back to its original state would take lots...

The Museum’s First Building

The Museum’s First Building

Badin Historic Museum opened its doors on October 14 1998 in a newly renovated and relocated building.  The small wood  frame building, now at the corner of Falls Road and Pine Street, originally sat 1 block away at the corner of  Falls Road and Maple...

Firehouse Museum

Firehouse Museum

When the Badin Volunteer Fire Department was expanding its fleet of modern fire fighting equipment a new home was needed for the department’s first emergency responder.   The 1937 Ford American LaFrance Fire Engine had been relegated to a few ceremonial...