Businessman Mark York acquired a considerable amount of land around Rockford in the 1830s. It is believed that he added on to an existing building to create the Mark York Tavern, a boarding place and social center for visiting travelers, law students and guests. Many notables of the era were entertained at the tavern.

One of the site’s most historic moments occurred during the Civil War only a week before Gen. Robert E. Lee’s April 9, 1865 surrender at Appomattox. A detachment of Union Gen. George Stoneman’s Raiders came through Surry County April 1-2 and rode up to the York Tavern, where Nancy York, the wife of the proprietor, sat on the porch churning butter. When she refused to answer an officer’s questions, he threatened to take her son Jasper, who was by her side. Armed only with a mother’s iron will, Mrs. York finally spoke. She told the officer, “You’ll play the devil,” and he left her and her son alone.
This building needs financial help. Please call (336) 374-3825 Rockford Preservation Society
4844 Rockford Road,
Dobson, NC 27017 Rockford North Carolina,

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