Editing Lenoir, North Carolina (section)

==History==
Lenoir was established in 1841 and incorporated in 1851. The city was named for [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]] general and early North Carolina statesman [[William Lenoir (general)|William Lenoir]],<ref>{{cite book|last=Gannett|first=Henry|title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ|year=1905|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n134 185]}}</ref> who settled north of present-day Lenoir. His restored home, [[Fort Defiance (Lenoir, North Carolina)|Fort Defiance]], is a tourist attraction.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071230182016/http://www.fortdefiancenc.org/index.htm Fort Defiance]}}</ref>

===Early history===
The original settlement of Lenoir was known as Tucker's Barn, after a Tucker family that settled on the north side of Lower Creek around 1765. The homestead eventually served as a voting precinct, a muster ground, a store, and a place for celebrations. When [[Caldwell County, North Carolina|Caldwell County]] was formed in 1841, a commission was appointed to choose a location for the county seat. One member proposed the south side of Lower Creek (today, the Whitnel area) because of its view of the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]]. However, since most of the county's population was on the north side of Lower Creek, the Tucker's Barn site was chosen, where Lenoir is today.<ref>[https://www.cityoflenoir.com/history History, Seal, & Flag - Lenoir, North Carolina]. ''City of Lenoir''. Retrieved 15 April 2019.</ref>

=== American Civil War ===
During Gen. [[Stoneman's 1865 raid|Stonemans final raid]] in 1865 during the [[American Civil War]], he passed through Lenoir on March 28 and again on April 15.<ref>[https://www.dncr.nc.gov/blog/2024/01/18/stonemans-raid-n-11#:~:text=Stoneman's%20U.S.%20cavalry%20passed%20through,15%2D17%2C%201865.&text=In%20late%20March%201865%2C%20Union,longest%20cavalry%20raids%20in%20history. Stoneman's Raid (N-11) - NC DNCR]. ''dcnr.nc.gov''. Retrieved February 12, 2025.</ref> On March 29, 1865, a small skirmish took place near Lenoir.<ref>[https://www.carolana.com/NC/Civil_War/1865_03_29_lenoir.html March 29, 1865 -- Skirmish near Lenoir]. ''carolina.com''. Retrieved February 12, 2025.</ref>

Along with this; multiple Civil War companies were formed with soldiers from Lenoir and [[Caldwell County, North Carolina|Caldwell County]]. These companies served in various different regiments within the [[Confederate States Army]].<ref>[https://www.carolana.com/NC/Civil_War/civil_war_military_units_caldwell_county_nc.html Civil War Military Units Created With Men From Caldwell County, NC]. ''carolina.com''. Retrieved February 12, 2025.</ref> There were also [[Southern Unionists]] who supported the [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] within Caldwell County, with local Confederate deserters and resisters joining with them as the war went on.<ref>Browning, Judkin. (2019). [https://history.appstate.edu/sites/default/files/in_search_of_all_that_was_near_and_dear_to_me.pdf "In Search of All That Was Near and Dear to Me": Desertion as a Window into Community Divisions in Caldwell County during the Civil War]. ''University of Georgia Press''. p. 116. Retrieved February 11, 2025.</ref>

Following the Civil War, [[Clinton A. Cilley]], a [[Union Army]] Medal of Honor recipient, would settle in Lenoir. He worked as a lawyer, eventually becoming a civic leader, judge, and elected as Mayor of Lenoir.<ref>[https://www.minnesotamedalofhonormemorial.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Cilley-Clinton-A.-Bio-July-16.pdf Clinton A. Cilley (1837–1900)]. ''minnesotamedalofhonor.org''. Retrieved February 11, 2025.</ref>

===National Register of Historic Places locations===
In addition to Fort Defiance, the [[Caldwell County Courthouse (Lenoir, North Carolina)|Caldwell County Courthouse]], [[Lenoir Downtown Historic District]], [[Lenoir Grammar School]], [[Lenoir High School]], [[Mary's Grove]], and [[Edgar Allan Poe House (Lenoir, North Carolina)|Edgar Allan Poe House]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref><ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/13000246.htm|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|work=Featured Property: Lenoir Downtown Historic District|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>