Thompson Park in Charlotte in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Thompson Orphanage: A Place to Grow

— Charlotte Trail of History —

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 17, 2021

1. Thompson Orphanage: A Place to Grow Marker

Inscription.
Thompson Orphanage was found on this site in the late 1800s. Thompson took in orphans from across North Carolina — those whose parents had died, and also those whose parents could not care for them because of poverty or illness. The boys and girls worked the farm here, growing vegetables, milking cows, and increasing in knowledge and stature.

By 1956, when Thompson was surrounded by the city and pieces of its land had been taken for Independence Boulevard and Pearl Street Park, the organization relocated farther from town where it exists to this day as a premier provider of prevention and intervention services that strengthen and support children and families.

"On the Banks of the Little Sugar Creek is a sculptural collage of historical recollections of the life at Thompson Orphanage. I wanted to bring to life the voices of those who taught, lived, played and listened to the waters of the Little Sugar Creek."
— Quote from the artist, Jane DeDecker

"One thing about Thompson remains the same: The agency is led, first and foremost, by its mission call to serve children and families through healing, teaching, worship and play."

"…they gave a watch to the child voted by the children as the best citizen of the year. their names were written on a plaque in
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the dining hall for all to see. The plaque is now on the wall at St. Mary's Chapel."

"The mud would get between her toes, but she didn't mind, it was so much fun cooling off and playing with the other kids."

"…she had gathered some strawberries and brought them in cups which she had made of large oak or hickory leaves."

Erected 2018 by Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation. (Marker Number 10.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. A significant historical year for this entry is 1956.

Location. 35° 13.002′ N, 80° 50.054′ W. Marker is in Charlotte, North Carolina, in Mecklenburg County. It is in Thompson Park. Marker can be reached from East 4th Street (State Highway 16) 0.1 miles west of South Kings Drive, on the left when traveling west. Marker and statue is on the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1116 E 4th St, Charlotte NC 28204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. This Land Once was Thompson Orphanage (a few steps from this marker); Ben Nash (within shouting distance of this marker); They Came From Mecklenburg… / Dedicated To Those Who Serve (within shouting distance of this marker); Mecklenburg County Vietnam Memorial (within

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 17, 2021

2. Thompson Orphanage: A Place to Grow Marker

shouting distance of this marker); Thompson Orphanage (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Thompson Orphanage (within shouting distance of this marker); Thompson Orphanage Campus (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis Thompson and Pattie Clark Thompson (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlotte.

More about this marker. Parking to assess available at Thompson Park near East Third Street and South Kings Drive. Follow path to descending steps. Marker and statue is to the left

Also see . . . Thompson Orphanage and Training Institute. Charlotte Trail of History article for the Thompson Orphanage

Edwin Augustus Osborne, a descendent of original settlers of Mecklenburg County, became the first superintendent of the orphanage. After serving as a soldier in the Civil War, Osborne worked as a lawyer and County Clerk before becoming an Episcopal Missionary and then the superintendent of Thompson, a position he held until 1898. The orphanage was named for Lewis Thompson whose wife
Photographed By Mark Parker, June 13, 2024

3. Thompson Orphanage Sculpture
Margaret was a financial contributor and donated most of the land for its campus. (Submitted on June 21, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 630 times since then and 225 times this year. Last updated on June 21, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 21, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on June 21, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.