Carthage Digital Mural Trail
Carthage Digital Mural Trail
Explore the town of Carthage in a whole new way with the Carthage Digital Mural Trail! This self-guided walking tour connects five downtown murals, each featuring a scannable bronze-plated QR code that unlocks a short video about the artwork’s story, history, and the people it honors.
Renowned muralist Scott Nurkin painted four murals and the newest addition comes from artist Dan Dreyer. Together, they highlight the unique heritage, culture, and memorable figures of Carthage, NC.
It’s a creative and inspiring way to experience the town, one mural at a time!
Accessibility:
You can explore the trail by parking nearby and taking a short, 10-minute walk through downtown Carthage to see all the digital murals. The area is paved with plenty of parking available, including designated handicap spots. Please note that a few sidewalks may be uneven.
Landmarks and Legacies
105 N. McNeill Street, Carthage, NC 28327
Artist: Daniel Dreyer & Jordan Dreyer
Carthage has always been shaped by the incredible people who call it home, both those born here and those who chose to settle here. Landmarks and Legacies honors some of these individuals and shares the story of Fry and Prickett Funeral Home, the longest continuously operating business in Carthage. A legacy is the lasting impact a person leaves behind, and a landmark is the place that holds their story. Fry and Prickett Funeral Home continues its proud tradition of being “committed to the families in our community.” We’re honored to share these meaningful Carthage stories with you. For more information, click here.
Carthage Water Tanks
107 Monroe St., Carthage, NC 28327
Artist: Scott Nurkin
“The Water Tanks” mural is located on the side of the Kramer Building at 107 Monroe Street. The elevated tank was built in 1913, followed by the stove pipe tank around 1920. These tanks were more than just water storage—they were symbols of daily life in Carthage.
Each weekday at noon, the town clerk would sound the iconic siren mounted on the tall tank legs, signaling lunchtime for workers, townspeople, shopkeepers, courthouse visitors, and anyone nearby. The whistle could be heard miles away and also served as an alert when a fire was reported, calling volunteer firefighters into action.
For pilots flying out of the Moore County (formerly Knollwood) Airport, the water tanks were often the first visual landmark on approach. Though they were removed in 2018, their image and legacy live on through this mural, proudly displaying the town’s historic buggy logo once again.
When Tobacco Was King
104 McNeill St., Carthage, NC 28327
Artist: Scott Nurkin
Tobacco played a huge role in putting North Carolina on the map during the 1900s, and Carthage was right in the heart of it. Surrounded by tobacco farms, the town thrived thanks to hardworking growers who took great pride in producing a good crop. These farms supported families, and in turn, those families supported the town.
Each fall, farmers brought their harvest to the Victory and McConnell warehouses in Carthage, where tobacco was sold at lively auctions attended by buyers and auctioneers. Tobacco farming was more than a job, it was a way of life. It was tough, honest work that brought people together—young and old, men, women, and children—all lending a hand. For many local kids, summer jobs on tobacco farms were a rite of passage and helped pay for school clothes, first cars, and college tuition.
As you enjoy this mural, see if you can spot the hidden objects painted within it: a knife, smiley face, star, key, sun, rabbit, and shark!
Tyson & Jones Buggy Co.
104 McReynolds St, Carthage, NC 28327
Artist: Scott Nurkin
Carthage is proud to have been home to the Tyson & Jones Buggy Company (1850–1929), once the largest carriage manufacturer in the South. In 1876, the company built 400 buggies, and by 1890, its busiest year, the factory was producing 3,000 buggies and employing over 100 workers.
Although the rise of the automobile led to the company’s closure in 1925, its legacy lives on. Each year on the second Saturday in May, the town celebrates its buggy-making heritage with the Carthage Buggy Festival, a tradition that honors this important part of local history.
While viewing the mural, see if you can spot the hidden objects: a buggy, key, clock, bird, and skull & crossbones!
Flying for France -James R. McConnell
205 Monroe St, Carthage, NC 28327
Artist: Scott Nurkin
James Rogers McConnell, who lived in Carthage, N.C. for two years, was a true adventurer. Before the United States entered World War I, he volunteered to fly for France as part of the famous Lafayette Escadrille. With a fearless spirit, he once said, “These Sand Hills will be here forever, but the war won’t; and so I’m going.”
At just 30 years old, McConnell was killed in action during an aerial battle over the Somme in France. He is buried in a peaceful meadow between the villages of Flavy-le-Martel and Jussy in the Aisne region of France.
Today, his bravery is remembered with two monuments, one at McConnell-Gilliam Airport, a gift from the French government, and another on the Moore County Courthouse lawn, given by the U.S. Congress. In 2018, Carthage officially became a sister city to Flavy-le-Martel, honoring McConnell’s legacy and the bond between the two towns.
As you view the mural, try to spot these hidden objects: a key, buggy, Elvis, snake, and cross!