Raleigh is gearing up to honor one of its literary legends with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker dedicated to the life and work of Sam Ragan, whose influence on the state's art and literary scene spanned over five decades. The marker, recognizing Ragan as North Carolina's "literary godfather," will find its home at the Berea Branch Library with an unveiling scheduled for October 2 at 1 p.m., as reported by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Ragan's beginnings in Granville County, where he was born on December 31, 1915, saw an early affinity for poetry which he nurtured throughout his education at Atlantic Christian College. His professional journey swept from a brief tenure at the San Antonio Evening News back to his roots in North Carolina as a state editor for the Raleigh News and Observer. He would later take to the helm of The Pilot, a weekly paper in Southern Pines, becoming a steadfast fixture in the landscape of regional journalism.
The marker does more than just celebrate Ragan's journalistic endeavors; it also commemorates his substantial literary contributions, such as his Pulitzer-nominated poetry collections "Journey into Morning" and "To the Water’s Edge." His belief in the power of words led to the founding of the North Carolina Writers' Network and the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame, platforms that continue to support and showcase the wealth of literary talent in the state. As per the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources website, his column "Southern Accent" made its mark as the longest-running newspaper column in the United States.
A role as North Carolina's Poet Laureate from 1982 until his passing in 1996 was one of many testaments to his influence. He received numerous accolades, including the North Carolina Award in Fine Arts, the Roanoke-Chowan Award for Poetry, and an induction into the North Carolina Journalism Hall of Fame. His extension of the literary conversation has cemented him as a figure of enduring significance to North Carolina's cultural heritage.
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, which manages a wide array of cultural and natural assets, is coordinating the marker program in partnership with the N.C. Department of Transportation. For details about the event or other inquiries, interested individuals can visit the department's official website or contact them at (919) 814-6625.
