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Town of Wilkesboro
Welcome to the town of Wilkesboro, where the mountains begin!
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    • For Residents
      • Civic Center Rental Information
      • - - Online Reservation Form
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      • - - Report Water/Sewer Problem
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      • - - Step 1) Zoning/Planning
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      • - - All Building Inspections - inside Town and County
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      • How to Launch a Business in NC
      • - - Rural Rise NC Business Help
      • Meeting Space Rental Information
      • - - Online Reservation Form
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      • Schedule of Fees - FY 24-25
      • Town Forms
    • For Visitors
      • Wilkes Co. District W Tourism Dev Authority
      • Yadkin River State Trail Map
      • Attraction Maps
      • Ben Long Frescoes
      • Historic Wilkesboro Tour
      • Stone Mountain State Park
      • Talking Trees Trail at Rendezvous Mtn.
      • Whippoorwill Academy & Village
      • Wilkesboro Music & Festivals
      • - - Concerts in the Commons
      • - - Movies on Main
      • - - Brushy Mtn. Peach & Heritage Festival
      • - - FaithFest
      • - - Merlefest
      • Wilkesboro Parks & Recreation
      • - - Cub Creek Park Pickleball Courts
      • - - Mountain Bike Trails
      • - - Community Commons & Pavilion Stage
      • - - Heritage Square Splash Pad
      • - - Rolling Pines Disc Golf Course
      • - - Wilkesboro Campground
      • Wilkesboro Sundial
      • W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir
      • Wilkes Co. Barn Quilt Trail
      • Wilkes Co. Birding Trails
      • Wilkes Heritage Museum
      • Wilkes Transportation Options
      • Yadkin River Greenway
  • I Want To...
    • Apply...
      • Town Job
      • Committees/Boards Application
      • Police Permits
      Contact...
      • Employee or Dept.
      • Wilkes Resource Guide
      • Wilkes Senoir Resources
      • Federal or State Government
      Get...
      • Account Balance
      • ACH Authorization Form
      • Attraction Maps
      • Building Inspection
      • Directions to Wilkesboro
      • Directions to Police Department
      • Fire Inspection
      • Holiday Schedule
      • Police Report
      • Recycling Information
      • Town Forms
      • Utilities Turned On
      • Utilities Turned Off
      • Water Quality Report - middle of page
      Lookup...
      • Account Balance
      • Meeting Agendas & Minutes
      • Public Hearings
      • Schedule of Fees - FY 24-25
      • Transportation Options
      • Wilkesboro's Mapping / GIS
      • Wilkesboro's Ordinances
      Pay...
      • Civic Center Rental
      • Invoice
      • Parking Ticket
      • Town Taxes
      • Utility Bill
      Pickup...
      • Civic Center Key
      Report...
      • Report Missing Street Sign
      • Report Nuisance Animal
      • Report Pothole/Sidewalk Issue
      • Report Rollout Cart Problem
      • Report Street/Traffic Light Outage
      • Report Water/Sewer Problem
      • Report Other Issues/Problems
      Request...
      • Request Appointment
      • Request Civic Center Reservation
      • Request Fire Education Event
      • Request Utility Bill thru Email
      Schedule...
      • Bulky Item Collection
      • Electronics Recycling
      • Recycling Collection
      • Trash Collection
      • Yard Waste Collection
      • Schedule-Service Online
  • Town Government
    • Government
      • Local Government in NC
      • How NC Municipalities Work
      • Town's Form of Government
      • What is Powell Bill?
      • Town's Schedule of Fees 24-25
      • Town's Budgets & Audits
      • Town's Financial Dashboard
      • Town's Holiday Schedule
      • Town's Ordinances
      • Town's Organizational Chart
      • Title VI Civic Rights Act
      • 2019 ADA Transition Plan
      • 2021 ADA Transition Plan
      • 2025 ADA Transition Plan
      Wilkesboro's History
      • Population
      • Wilkesboro's History Overview
      • Tory Oak History
      • Wilkesboro's Cemetery Records
      • Wilkes Genealogical Society, Inc.
      • Wilkes Heritage Museum
      • History Links
      • Fire Chief History
      • Retired Firemen History
      • Police Chief History
      • Town Council & Clerk History
      Town Council
      • Meet Your Governing Board
      • Responsibilities
      • Code of Ethics
      • FAQ
      • Meeting Schedule
      • Agenda & Minutes
      ABC Board
      • Board Responsibilities
      • Board Members
      • Meeting Schedule
      • ABC Webpage
      Cemetery Board
      • Board Responsibilities
      • Board Members
      Historic Pres. Commission
      • Board Responsibilities
      • Board Members
      • Meeting Schedule
      • Agenda & Minutes
      Landscape Planning & Review Board
      • Board Responsibilities
      • Board Members
      • Meeting Schedule
      • Agenda & Minutes
      Parks & Recreation Board
      • Board Responsibilities
      • Board Members
      Planning Board
      • Board Responsibilities
      • Board Members
      • Meeting Schedule
      • Agenda & Minutes
      Zoning Board of Adjustments
      • Board Responsibilities
      • Board Members
      • Meeting Schedule
      • Agenda & Minutes
      Friends of Wilkesboro Board
      • Board Members
      • Meeting Schedule
      Retired Firemen Board
      • Board Members
  • Departments
    • Administration
      • Dept. Overview
      Finance
      • Dept. Overview
      • Financial Dashboard
      • Accounts Payable
      • Cemetery Collections
      • Civic Center Rental
      • Beer/Wine License
      • Purchasing & Contracts
      • Taxes
      • Utility Billing
      Fire
      • Dept. Overview
      • Burning Permit
      • F.A.Q.
      • Fire Education Event
      • Fire Hydrant Testing
      • Fire Inspections
      • Fire Roster
      • How to Apply to FD
      • Meeting Schedule
      Parks & Recreation
      • Dept. Overview
      • Community Commons & Pavilion Stage
      • - - Heritage Square Splash Pad
      • Cub Creek Park
      • - - Community Garden
      • - - Hidden Oaks Dog Park
      • - - Mountain Bike Trails
      • - - Creek Restoration
      • Rolling Pines Disc Golf Course
      • School Street Park
      • Westwood Park
      • Wilkesboro Campground
      Personnel & Payroll
      • Dept. Overview
      Planning & Community Development
      • Dept. Overview
      • Adopted Plans
      • Forms
      • Maps
      • Wilkesboro GIS
      • Wilkesboro's Ordinances
      • Public Hearings
      Police
      • Dept. Overview
      • Annual Reports
      • Citizen Police Academy
      • Comment/Complaint Section
      • Crime Data & Statistics
      • Get a Police Report
      • Directions to Police Station
      • Parking Tickets
      • Police Permits
      • Police Recruitment
      • Police Roster
      Public Works
      • Dept. Overview
      • Powell Bill
      • Public Buildings, Grounds & Streets
      • Water & Sewer Construction
      Sanitation
      • Dept. Overview
      • Bulky Item Collection
      • Curbside Trash
        • Trash/Recycle Listing by Streets
      • Trash/Recycle Listing by Streets
      • Curbside Recycling
        • Curbside Recycling Schedule
      • Electronics Recycling-By Appt Only
      • Non-curbside Recyclable Items
      • Recycling Centers
      • Curbside Yard Waste Collection
      • Seasonal Curbside Leaf Collection
      Utilities
      • Cross Connection Control / Backflow
      • NC Water & Wastewater Rates Dashboard
      • Wastewater / Sewer Plant
      • Water Filtration Plant
  • For Residents
    • Civic Center Rental Information
    • - - Online Reservation Form
    • Cemetery Plots & Information
    • Wilkesboro Utilities
    • - - Report Water/Sewer Problem
    • Other Utility Providers
    • Schedule of Fees 24-25
    • Wilkesboro Sanitation
    • - - Recycle/Trash Days by Street
    • - - Recycle Schedule
    • - - Request Rollout Cart Repair
    • - - Schedule Bulky Item Collection
    • - - Schedule Electronics Recycling
    • - - Schedule Yard Waste Collection
    • Report a Problem Form
    • - - Report Missing Street Sign
    • - - Report Pothole / Sidewalk Problem
    • - - Report Street Light Outage
    • Serve on a Committee or Board
    • Transportation
  • For Business
    • Wilkes Co. Economic Development
    • - - HC Council of Government Demographics
    • - - Wilkesboro Livability Magazine
    • - - "We are Wilkes" Annual Guide
    • - - "We are Wilkes" Quarterly
    • - - Transportation
    • How to Start a Business in Wilkesboro
    • - - Step 1) Zoning/Planning
    • - - Step 2) Sign Permit
    • - - Step 3) Request Fire Inspections
    • - - Step 4) Water/Sewer Service
    • - - Step 5) Beer/Wine Application
    • - - All Building Inspections - inside Town and County
    • - - All Food Inspections
    • How to Launch a Business in NC
    • - - Rural Rise NC Business Help
    • Meeting Space Rental Information
    • - - Online Reservation Form
    • Other Utility Providers for Business
    • Outside Trash Providers for Business
    • Schedule of Fees - FY 24-25
    • Town Forms
  • For Visitors
    • Wilkes Co. District W Tourism Dev Authority
    • Yadkin River State Trail Map
    • Attraction Maps
    • Ben Long Frescoes
    • Historic Wilkesboro Tour
    • Stone Mountain State Park
    • Talking Trees Trail at Rendezvous Mtn.
    • Whippoorwill Academy & Village
    • Wilkesboro Music & Festivals
    • - - Concerts in the Commons
    • - - Movies on Main
    • - - Brushy Mtn. Peach & Heritage Festival
    • - - FaithFest
    • - - Merlefest
    • Wilkesboro Parks & Recreation
    • - - Cub Creek Park Pickleball Courts
    • - - Mountain Bike Trails
    • - - Community Commons & Pavilion Stage
    • - - Heritage Square Splash Pad
    • - - Rolling Pines Disc Golf Course
    • - - Wilkesboro Campground
    • Wilkesboro Sundial
    • W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir
    • Wilkes Co. Barn Quilt Trail
    • Wilkes Co. Birding Trails
    • Wilkes Heritage Museum
    • Wilkes Transportation Options
    • Yadkin River Greenway

  

History of Town's Flag. Source: The Municipal magazine

Source: The Municipal magazine

   
home > town government > wilkesboro's history menu > tory oak history

  

HISTORY OF THE TORY OAK TREE 

Tory Oak Post Card Front

For two and a half centuries the Tory Oak grew strong and stately in the center of Wilkesboro, a symbol of the revolutionary struggle that led to the founding of our county. Some leaders called this old tree the Liberty Oak, but it became famous because several enemies of the American Revolution, known as Tories, were hanged on its limbs when the tree was still young.

Revolutionary War battles raged elsewhere, but here in the hills and valleys of what was to become Wilkes County, the War for American Independence was fought mostly among colonial residents of different persuasions. One of the strongest voices for independence was that of Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, leader of the local militia. Members of the militia, sometimes known as Mountain Men, were ordinary working citizens. Tories were residents who did not side with independence and wanted to remain a British colony. Tories were ruthless in fighting the forces who favored independence. Colonel Cleveland was captured by Tories, rescued, and then captured Tories himself. Some of these Tories were brought to Wilkesborough (before it was known as Wilkesboro) and were executed by hanging from the limbs of a black oak tree. later, Colonel Cleveland led the Mountain Men to meet a part of the British regular army and helped win an important battle at Kings Mountain. Not long afterward, the British commander surrendered and the American colonies became independent. The new nation was based on the rights of citizens to a government of their own choosing.

No great Revolutionary War battles were fought in Wilkesboro. Instead of a battlefield with monuments, the Tory Oak became the proud local symbol of the successful War for American Independence and the birth of our nation. The Tory Oak reminds us of the determined patriots who did their part to win freedom and to live in a democracy. Toward the end of the aged tree's life, its image became a symbolic reminder of Wilkesboro's historic past and promising future.

Wilkesboro's Town Seal

 

 

Town of Wilkesboro, North Carolina 

Pete M. Mann, Mayor 1995 - 1999Tory Oak Tree c. 1940s

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tory Oak Tree 1914  

   

 

 

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P.O. Box 1056 • 203 West Main Street • Wilkesboro, NC 28697 •  336-838-3951 3 3 6 8 3 8 3 9 5 1

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