Season 1, Episode 11-James K Polk and Pineville

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Season 1, Episode 11: James K Polk and Pineville

We are heading back to the Tar Heel State, and not too far from the Waxhaws, to visit Pineville, North Carolina, the birthplace of James Knox Polk, 11th President of the United States.

Just like Old Hickory, “Young Hickory” and his family sought a fortune in Tennessee, but the birthplace cabin has been rebuilt and the site is now a North Carolina State Park.

Learn about James Knox Polk’s childhood, and the peculiarities of his personality, his hardworking nature, and how he navigated the murky waters of the 1840s political scene!

James Knox Polk State Historic Park site.

Video tour of James Polk State Historic Site.

Be sure to listen to James K Polk’s “Visiting the Presidents” Episode from Season 2, “James K Polk and Columbia” for his home!

Also, listen to James K Polk’s “Visiting the Presidents” Episode from Season 3, “James K Polk’s Tomb” for his gravesite!

From My October 2017 Visit!

James Polk’s marker at the entrance to the James K Polk State Historic Site.
The birthplace cabin.
With the James Polk birthplace marker.

From My July 2021 Visit!

James Polk Birthplace
Birthplace replicas
Tour guide setting the scene
Birthplace cabin replica and kitchen
Approaching the cabin
Heading in
Very spartan living room
Dark bedroom…very nice on a hot day
Very compact settings for a sprawling family
Living space
Living room and bedroom
Front desk
Birthplace pyramid
Original Polk Birthplace marker
Polk Birthplace
Through the trees
Highway marker
Polk Birthplace Marker

From My June 2022 Visit!

The James Polk Birthplace!
Cabins and signage
Birthplace cabin replica
Cabins
At the cabin!
With the birthplace cabin!
The original birthplace pyramid and signage
Birthplace pyramid
With the original marker
The cabin through the woods
With the birthplace replica in the distance

From My June 2023 Visit!

Between the cabins
The original memorial
Spying the cabin in the clearing!
With the director!

Inside the Polk Birthplace Museum

Polk Birthplace Museum
Polk’s roots in the area
The importance of cotton in the region
Polk campaign materials
Polk as President
Polk’s best known contribution
Sketch of James Polk birthplace cabin (from North Carolina Office of Archives and History.
James Knox Polk portrait by George P.A. Healy.

James Knox Polk Birthplace: 12031 Lancaster Highway, Pineville, NC 28134.

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Borneman, Walter R. Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America.

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Sellers, Charles Grier. James K. Polk: Jacksonian 1795-1843.

Published by visitingthepresidents

I'm a Professor of History at Central Arizona College and someone who loves history and travel; my new blog will combine those interests!

2 thoughts on “Season 1, Episode 11-James K Polk and Pineville”

  1. Pingback: Season 2, Episode 11-James Polk and Columbia – Visiting the Presidents
  2. Pingback: Season 3, Episode 11-James K Polk’s Tomb – Visiting the Presidents

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