Town: Vandals deface Orton historical marker in Belville

BELVILLE, NC, (WWAY) — The Orton historical marker found on the side of Route 133 in Belville was vandalized overnight, according to the town.

“While we understand this is a time of great tension in our society, we must not allow vandalism to take the place of constructive dialogue,” Belville Mayor Mike Allen said. “The spray paint can is not the way to positively affect change. Defacing historical markers or other landmarks is a crime. To those who wish to have a dialogue about the Orton marker or other historical reservations, we invite you to come to a board meeting to raise your concerns. But acts of vandalism will not be tolerated. Those caught vandalizing historical markers or other property will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

As of 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, the marker had been cleaned.

The Orton historical marker is under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.