WHEN HISTORY SPEAKS
A man and his house Enterprising Napoleon Bonaparte McCanless built a legacy worthy of his name WRITTEN BY KAREN C. LILLY-BOWYER / PHOTOGRAPHY BY SEAN MEYERS Editor’s note: When History Speaks will be a regular contri-
bution by Historic Salisbury Foundation in issues to come. This is the first offering.
T
he Napoleon Bonaparte McCanless House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014, but that did not mean it would automatically become a Historic Salisbury Landmark. It would first need to be assessed by the Salisbury Historic Preservation Commission. On Jan. 14, 2020, Historic Salisbury Foundation presented its case before the commission. After all the questions about architectural integrity and cultural significance were answered to the satisfaction of the commission, Andrew “Andy” Walker, chairman of the commission, asked one more question: “Why Napoleon Bonaparte?” Andy not only keeps petitioners of the commission on their toes, but he also enjoys adding a bit of levity whenever possible. I was glad I had asked myself the same question in the process of doing my research. In the mid 1800s, it was not unusual for families of means to name their children after famous people. However, Napoleon Bonaparte McCanless, born in 1851, was not born into a family of wealth. He was born to a family who encouraged their children to become exceptional. Like many young men searching for their place in life, Napoleon at age 14 attempted to join Wheeler’s Calvary of the Confederate Army, but he was unsuccessful. Knowing that his
Napoleon Bonaparte McCanless’ many enterprises depended on investors, but it usually was McCanless who saw the ventures to fruition. (Photo from the Charlotte Peebles family on Ancestry.com)
