Bruce's Crossroads

Location: 4118 Oak Ridge Road 

Marker installed: Fall 2021

Summerfield was originally named Bruce's Crossroads in honor of Charles Bruce. Historians date the beginning of our community back to 1768-69 when Bruce bought 640 acres in what is now the heart of Summerfield. The Bruce home was the birthplace and general meeting area for a group of patriots known as the "Friends of Liberty." They resisted and strove to protect the community from Tories who would loot the homes of patriots whenever they were away, even to church. The Tories also killed Captain John Dent, said to be the first patriot killed by hostile action in North Carolina. Bruce’s Crossroads was renamed in 1812 when the community established a post office. The name was changed to Summerfield by residents who were quite fond of an evangelist named John Summerfield who preached a revival in the area and settled in the community.