Local author leads free 'Legends of the South' walking tour in Salisbury

Charles Dean's historical tour promises comedic and informative takes on the city's past.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:07am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating icon of a vintage microphone, conceptually representing the engaging, informative historical tour led by a charismatic speaker.A vibrant, pop art-inspired illustration captures the energy and creativity of a local historian's free walking tour that promises to reveal Salisbury's hidden stories.Salisbury Today

Local non-fiction author Charles Dean is bringing his historical knowledge and comedic flair to downtown Salisbury on Saturday for a free two-hour 'Legends of the South' walking tour. The tour will cover Salisbury topics with national historic significance from the 1500s to the present, with Dean promising to tackle 'difficult if not controversial history' that other local entities have avoided.

Why it matters

As a post-graduate historian, Dean aims to share lesser-known stories and anecdotes about Salisbury's past in an engaging, humorous way. The tour represents a unique opportunity for residents and visitors to learn about the city's history through the lens of an experienced non-fiction author.

The details

The tour will start at 6 p.m. on the sidewalk by the Rowan County Administrative Building, with the first stops taking place on the Bell Tower Green grounds due to acoustics. Dean plans to lead attendees on a meandering path on both sides of Innes Street, covering topics ranging from early exploration to modern history. He describes his approach as 'comedic informative' in the style of sports personality Pat McAfee, drawing on his experience writing for corporate entities like the Dukes of Hazzard, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Jimmy Buffett.

  • The tour will take place on Saturday, April 12, 2026 at 6 p.m.

The players

Charles Dean

A local non-fiction author with a post-graduate degree in history, who specializes in 'lost' and 'difficult if not controversial' historical topics.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'It is being billed as the 'Legends of the South' walking tour. Each stop along the two hour tour focuses on a Salisbury topic with national historic significance from the 1500s to the present.'”

— Charles Dean, Author

“'As someone with a post-graduate degree in history, I specialize in what could be described as not just lost history but difficult if not controversial history. There will be plenty of that on the tour, as I am purposefully touching on several anecdotes that no other entity in Rowan County seems willing to tackle.'”

— Charles Dean, Author

“'It is meant to be comedic informative in the way sports personality Pat McAfee performs, which is also how I structure both my creative non-fiction writing and stage shows.'”

— Charles Dean, Author

What’s next

Dean plans to use the tour as a platform to promote his upcoming National Park Service travelogue/memoir, set for publication in fall 2026.

The takeaway

Charles Dean's unique 'Legends of the South' walking tour offers Salisbury residents and visitors an engaging, humorous, and historically informative experience that delves into lesser-known stories about the city's past. As an experienced non-fiction author, Dean aims to share his passion for uncovering 'difficult if not controversial history' in a way that keeps the audience entertained.