NC roadside attraction structures aren’t like typical physical constructions. They take on on a variety of shapes and sizes and almost immediately capture your attention. Some are commercial properties looking to grab your attention while others are just oddities not intentionally provocative. Here are some of the more interesting NC roadside attraction structures we’ve encountered.
Outer Banks Futuro House
52186 Morriss Lane, Frisco, NC
The Futuro House found on the lower Outer Banks, right off NC-12, has seen better days but is still worth a stopover. The Futuro homes have a short, but fascinating, history we explore in more depth in our Futuro House on the Outer Banks post.
Rusty Water Tower
Mashburn Road, Wendell, NC
I have a weakness for old antique items. They tell a story even if you don’t know the details yourself. Often they are obsolete and sitting in someone’s backyard or, as is the case for this Wendell rusted water tower, too large and cumbersome to move. As is the case with this NC roadside attraction structure, nature begins to impose itself on the artifact creating something new and intriguing. I accidentally stumbled onto the water tower along Mashburn Road about halfway between NC-97 and Bus 64 (Wendell Blvd) in the town of Wendell. The road doesn’t see a lot of traffic so feel free to (carefully) pull over to the side and get a closer look.
Hills of Snow(ball)
Hills of Snow, 110 S. BrightLeaf Blvd, Smithfield, NC
Located on the corner of Massey St and Brightleaf Blvd. in Smithfield is the iconic Hills of Snow. The brainchild of Tom Hill, they serve flavored snow cones, 101 flavors to be precise, that have the texture of real snow instead of the usual chunks of ice. Founded in 1984, Hills of Snow has become a local fixture on our many hot and humid summer North Carolina days. The design of this NC roadside attraction structure, personally created by Hill, is referred to as “The Big Ball” and has a portable cousin occasionally used for promotions at local shopping centers. Hill’s daughter and son-in-law have been running the shop since his passing in 2011 and vow to continue the tradition as long as they’re able.
Civil War Ironclad Replica - CSS Albemarle
Port O'Plymouth Roanoke River Museum, 302 W Water St., Plymouth, NC
Four blocks northeast of the replica Roanoke River Lighthouse is the Port O’Plymouth Roanoke River Museum. A short walk down to the river’s edge you’ll find a 3/8 scale, 63’ (19 m) replica of the CSS Albemarle, a Civil War ironclad ship. For two years the Albemarle was highly successful in keeping the Roanoke River free of Union vessels but eventually was sunk in 1864. The original Albemarle was 158’ (48 m) in length, could house 150 soldiers and could reach speeds of 4 knots or around 4.6 mph (7.4 km/h). The replica is wooden and could really use a new coat of gray paint but it’s still a very cool bit of history. Be sure to visit the museum to learn more about the Albemarle and the Roanoke River’s strategic involvement in the Civil War.
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