Decided to continue my hunt to see all 31 Chatham Unincorporated communities by making a trip to the southern part of the county. And boy oh boy is there some rich history here in this area that almost became the state capital and site of NC's first University! Read on to learn more!
My journey began with Moncure, which has "a community of artists" on its sign. I wasn't sure if this was just a ploy to sound cute like how I write "dedicated, motivated, and ready to educate" in my email signature even tho, I'm rarely feeling very motivated or dedicated to educate when I'm writing those emails.
But apparently Moncure use to be a home for many types of artists - from chainsaw artists to potters! There even once was an art museum there!
Next, I was off to the community of Haywood, whose history is absolutely fascinating!
- It was apparently ONE vote shy of becoming the capital of NC! Haywood was of great interest to legislatures because of its location on the Haw River!
- It also was ALMOST the site of our first State University (a little town called New Hope Chapel Hill was chosen instead.)
- And it ALMOST became the site of a significant train stop but the town of Moncure was chosen instead. :(
Haywood was so close to being such a different place! (Chatham would be a lot different if any of those things had happened! And maybe I'd be touring Wake Co. instead of Chatham but here we are!)
But some real significant things did happen in this community though! It was the site of Chatham County's first school for Black children. And, Simon Atkins, who went on to be a co-founder of Winston Salem State University, was educated here! :) How cool!?!
Now all that exists in Haywood is a marker to signify the location where the school was located and a plaque to honor Mr. Atkins.
But that doesn't take away from the important history that's happened there.
Last, I went to Brickhaven!
It was named after all of the ...... yep you guessed it, all the Brick plants that can be found here! :)
The history of southern Chatham was more fascinating that i could have ever anticipated! Left me feeling more in awe of this special place and wanting to expose more folks to the unique history of this wonderful place! :)
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