FIRST STOP
American artist Juan Logan’s stainless steel sculpture, The Seed
Standing alongside the institute’s building, the sculpture's inscription reads, Plant the seed and grow the future.
Proceed down Nelson Street toward the Student Center.
SECOND STOP
Pearsontown Trail marker on Nelson Street
This trail is one of the oldest in the Trails and Greenways System. It was originally designed to serve the NC Central University community. On-road connections can be made to the R. Kelly Bryant Bridge. The trailhead is about ten blocks away near the corner of Red Oak Avenue and Lane Street where the main part of the trail remains leading to Elmira Park.
Continue down Nelson Street and cross Fayetteville Road.
THIRD STOP
College Heights Historic District marker
This neighborhood, now on the National Register of Historic Places, began to be developed as early as the 1920s and featured ornamented bungalows and quaint period revival style houses.
Proceed north on Fayetteville Road for three blocks.
FOURTH STOP
Centennial Chapel
The building originally stood at 1400 South Alston Avenue as Holy Cross Church, which was North Carolina’s earliest African American Catholic Church. The sanctuary was moved to this location during the university’s centennial year to make room for the expansion of the Department of Nursing’s new facility.
Proceed on Fayetteville Road toward Brant Street.
FIFTH STOP
Centennial Garden
Built in 2010 as part of the university’s centennial year celebration, the garden features an arbor, swirling walkways, a fountain, and the Nancy Rhice Rowland Tree of Life, a magnificent magnolia tree dedicated to memorialize the school’s former Director of Undergraduate Admissions.
Cross Fayetteville Road at Brant Street to reach Shepard Circle.
SIXTH STOP
James Edward Shepard Statue and William Jones Building
This bronze memorial honors none other than the founder of the university, originally known as North Carolina College at Durham. Immediately to the right is the William Jones building. Built in 1937, the School of Law was based there between 1950 and 1980.
Proceed down steps to the right.
SEVENTH STOP
Plantings in honor of George T. Thorne, Vice-Chancellor for Financial Affairs
Proceed down the steps.
EIGHTH STOP
Greek Bowl
Greek letter organizations show their pride with colorful displays.
Walk to the northeast corner of the bowl.
NINTH STOP
Atlas Astrolabe
This small statue shows the mythic figure of Atlas holding up an astrolabe, an ancient scientific instrument for telling time and for celestial observation. You will find a similar but much larger version in Rockefeller Center in New York City.
Turn east and walk until you see the Starbucks near the entrance on the north side of the Main Library.
TENTH STOP
Starbucks
Stop in to refresh and refuel!
Make your way along the north side of the Main Library and walk around the corner of the library turning south. Walk south along Eagle Campus Drive. You will see the stadium on your left. Walk downhill toward the stadium. Proceed along the south side of the stadium toward the Physical Education building. Walk through the parking lot until you reach Nelson Street and the Law School to finish your walk.