History...
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BEGINNINGS |
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Oakboro traces its beginnings to the coming of the railroad in 1913.
Before that time, C. C. Furr’s store and Ellis Thomas’ blacksmith shop
were the only evidence of what would soon be a thriving downtown. The
first passenger train came
through town in late 1913 and stopped at the new Furr City depot. |
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In 1915, the name was changed to Oakboro and the town was incorporated.
A map of the early town shows a 320-acre tract one mile wide with Main
Street running through the center. Furr and other large landowners
divided their property into smaller parcels and new homes and businesses
began to prosper. |
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CENTER OF TRADE |
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Oakboro was the center of
surrounding rural life, being located at the conjuncture of five
roads. In fact, the community was called “Five Roads” for a time
prior to the advance of the railroad. Travelers from other
communities as well as local farmers regularly |
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used these country lanes to bring cotton, lumber, produce, and
other goods to sell or trade for necessities. With the coming of
the railroad, these goods could be moved faster by freight train, and,
at one time, Oakboro
was known as moving the most freight between Charlotte and Raleigh.
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The small town remained relatively unchanged in size
for a number of years. More municipal services were added, schools were
consolidated, and roads were improved. Business and industry flourished in the early
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years. Several cotton gins operated in Oakboro
and soon textile mills
were added to the landscape. Oakboro Cotton Mill was built in 1923 and
brought needed jobs into the area. This mill remained active for nearly
50 years before being sold to Tuscarora Yarns. Today, Tuscarora
is the |
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only textile company left and is the town’s largest
employer with approximately 200 workers. Most of the local workforce travel
to Albemarle, Concord, Charlotte, and elsewhere for their livelihood. |
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GROWTH AND EXPANSION |
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From its beginnings in 1913, Oakboro town limits
remained constant for more than sixty years until annexation began in
1978. From 1960 to 1990, the population remained at approximately 600
and only 64 acres had been added. By 1997, the population had
reached an |
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estimated 1,026 and the town was 683 acres. As
the Charlotte growth effect became evident,
subdivisions have been annexed around the perimeter of the town. |
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The main highway leading into Stanly County from the Charlotte area
passes a mere four miles north of Oakboro. The highway is being widened
to four lanes and an outer loop around Charlotte had been completed.
This improved transportation corridor plus the availability of water and
sewer will no doubt bring more people who need housing and other
services. |
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DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION |
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Downtown Oakboro has been revitalized by the renovation and restoration
of buildings erected in the 1920’s and 30’s. Lining Main Street, you
will find a museum, old-time hardware store, florist, antique, and gift
shops, popsicle factory, hobby, trophy, and consignment shops along with
a T-shirt embroidery shop, a mini-park, fresh air market, Town Hall,
service stations and excellent restaurants. |
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