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Commissioners approve two highway signs and proclaim June 28 as George Moses Horton Day
Summary
After staff consultations with NCDOT and community input, the Board approved placing two highway signs on US‑15/501 honoring George Moses Horton and adopted a proclamation designating June 28, 2025, as George Moses Horton Day in Chatham County.
The Chatham County Board of Commissioners voted June 16 to install two North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) roadside signs recognizing George Moses Horton at the county entrances along U.S. 15/501, and to proclaim June 28, 2025, as George Moses Horton Day.
Staff told the board that NCDOT provided cost estimates for signs at the Orange‑Chatham and Lee‑Chatham county lines (roughly $8,100 and $7,000 respectively, subject to final DOT design and language). Commissioners discussed wording and design, including whether to include the county logo, and settled on language honoring Horton as an "enslaved poet" and the "Bard of Chatham County." Brenton Hart, planning staff, said DOT typically installs single‑sided supplemental panels in 45 mph or lower zones and retains final layout authority.
The board approved a motion directing staff to coordinate the design and an agreement with NCDOT and bring back final conceptual drawings and contract terms for the board’s consent agenda. Separately, commissioners adopted a resolution proclaiming June 28, 2025, as George Moses Horton Day in Chatham County.
Commissioners discussed whether to install signs at additional county entry points and agreed to begin with the two signs on US‑15/501 (the corridor historically associated with Horton’s travels) and possibly expand interpretation in future projects. A ribbon‑cutting or dedication event was suggested by commissioners once installation is scheduled.
