Sandhills Trolley Company offers a multitude of entertainment cruises that highlight this distinctive region of North Carolina all while delivering a memorable experience. On a gray February day, I journeyed to the historic town of Carthage to hop aboard the trolley and discover why Sandhills Trolley Company’s Coffee & History Cruise is the ultimate way to travel through time in the region.
What is the Carthage Coffee & History Cruise?
Carthage, North Carolina, is a charming town located in the heart of the region known as the Sandhills. The town serves as the county seat of Moore County and is steeped in history. Carthage’s rich heritage, formed by its early Scottish settlers, along with its storied past, earned it the nickname, “Buggy Town.”
Combine the charm of Sandhills Trolley Company’s delightful trolley bus with the rich history of Carthage, and you have the perfect recipe for an enjoyable historical tour. The guided multi-stop tour takes in some of the town’s heritage highlights while providing plenty of fun facts and opportunities to step outside and explore.
All Aboard!
The Carthage Coffee & History Cruise by Sandhills Trolley Company begins in the parking lot of the popular restaurant, Whispering Pies, in nearby Whispering Pines. As our cheerful group of tour-takers boards the trolley, we’re greeted by our costumed guide, Lexi, and our driver, Jim. With everyone aboard, our journey back in time begins as we set off for Carthage.
As the trolley travels towards its first destination, Lexi begins sharing the story of Carthage. As we make our way to our first stop, she captivates us with the fascinating tale of the town’s origins, founded by Scottish settlers in the late 18th century.
Buggy Town Coffee
Carthage was once home to the highly successful Tyson & Jones Buggy Factory. This renowned factory even served as the inspiration for Henry Ford’s horseless carriage production line, later made famous in Detroit.
As a hat tip to the town’s heritage and nickname, Buggy Town Coffee — our first stop — offers delicious food and exceptional brews.
The happy old building with the pressed tin ceiling is a beehive of activity as we invade to order beverages and goodies. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to chat with other tour-takers and gather information from our guide while we fuel up for the rest of our journey.
The Old Scotch Graveyard
A highlight of the Sandhills Trolley Company tour is the time spent at our second stop. The Old Scotch Graveyard.
This region of North Carolina is deeply rooted in Scottish heritage. Many of the settlers who arrived in the 18th century, came from the Highlands region of Scotland. Our guide shares the impressive story of these people and their contributions to North Carolina, their role in the American Revolution, as well as the story of how this graveyard came to be.
Established in 1775, this is one of the oldest cemeteries in the Sandhills. There are 130 known interments, with the earliest dating back to the 1700s. There are also presumed to be many more unknown interments.
The Moore County Historical Society does a wonderful job of maintaining the site, working to preserve its rich history and unique stories of its early settlers.
Once we arrive and exit the trolley bus, we are afforded ample time to explore the graveyard. The overcast skies and chilly temps enhance the atmosphere, perfectly setting the tone for this poignant place.
The Sandhills of North Carolina, characterized by rolling, sandy terrain and longleaf pine forests, are home to Carthage and Moore County, where 12 species of pine trees thrive. Historically rich in natural resources, the county once had 17 active gold mines and was a major producer of turpentine, tar, pitch, and lumber. Additionally, the region is known for its deposits of coal, quartz, and amethyst, further highlighting its geological significance. These are just some of the fun facts learned on the Carthage Coffee & History Cruise
Tyson Sinclair Mansion
Our final stop of the day is at the old Tyson Sinclair Mansion. Originally an impressive home to Mr. Tyson of the Tyson & Jones Buggy Factory, the property was transformed after being purchased by Mr. Sinclair. Sinclair had a thriving furniture business and thus converted the space into a large furniture showroom. Today, there are still remnants of the old home as well as the furniture showroom.
Moreover, there are several small businesses and vendors housed in the historic location. We hop off the trolley and tour this massive edifice. I enjoy popping into the charming boutiques and shops. Likewise, Watering Can Wines welcomes tour-takers to sample and sip as they look around.
Particularly striking is the old stairway and the way the home has evolved over the years to serve multiple purposes. I also like that it is in the heart of downtown Carthage. This allows me to step outside, explore the streets, and admire landmarks like the Moore County Courthouse and a striking street mural honoring Tyson & Jones.
Sandhills Trolley Company Tour Details
Sandhills Trolley Company serves not only Carthage, but also Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen, North Carolina. The Carthage Coffee & History Cruise is one of many tours that they offer. If history and coffee aren’t your cup of tea, you are certain to find the perfect cruise to suit your taste.
A visit to their website is strongly recommended as the cruise schedule changes monthly and they boast, I quote, “From karaoke, trivia, brewery hopping, family-friendly and history, we have a cruise just for you.”
Tips for Planning Your Cruise
Tickets are available in advance online. Cruises often sell out so you will want to plan to make sure you won’t miss out on the fun.
They begin boarding the trolley about 10 minutes before departure. You will want to arrive early to make sure you get a seat with your travel buddies. Jason and I arrived with only a couple of minutes to spare, thanks to our 16-year-old pug delaying our departure, so we had to sit separately. However, this worked to our advantage. The gentleman seated next to me was a local and gave me some bonus tips I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.
The trolley is comfortable but it is a bus so be mindful that you will be getting on and off the bus multiple times. Our driver, Jim, was outstanding about helping folks going up and down the steps. You’ll also want to remember to dress comfortably and to wear proper shoes for walking and exploring.
Tips aren’t demanded but they are welcomed and there is a tip container located at the front of the trolley where you can give a little extra thank you at the end of your cruise.
Buggy Factory
Our tour concludes at 4:00, bringing us back to where we began. Having caught sight of The Buggy Factory by Pinehurst Brewing Company while in Carthage, we know we have to go back to check it out. Post-tour, we make a beeline back to The Buggy Factory.
I love dining in historic locations, and this spot does not disappoint. Housed in what was once the offices of the Tyson & Jones Buggy Company, this is the kind of restaurant/brewery/gathering place that makes my heart sing.
From the exposed brick walls and ceiling beams to the reclaimed and repurposed office doors that serve as tables, the entire space pays homage to the business that was so integral to Carthage’s history.
We take our seats and are warmly greeted by a friendly server. Curious about the building’s history, I ask him about its past. Enthusiastically, he leads us to a wall near the restrooms, where a collection of fascinating historical photographs showcases the building’s earlier days and some of its past occupants.
We return to our table and order a delicious Smashburger and fries, and I pair mine with a craft brew by Southern Pines Brewing Company called Carolina Clara. The tasty lager complements the meal perfectly.
If you’re in the area or post-cruise, Jason and I both give this spot two thumbs up. There is even talk of more to come at The Buggy Factory and outdoor seating and a bandstand is beckoning for warmer weather and sunny days ahead.
Parting Thoughts
The Carthage Coffee & History Cruise by Sandhills Trolley Company proved to be a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon. We gained a wealth of knowledge about the region in an enjoyable format. Our fellow tour-takers were all very friendly and our guide Lexi and driver Jim were phenomenal.
This is the perfect tour for locals and visitors to the Sandhills alike. It delivers a historical overview as well as the opportunity to explore and experience Carthage at a gentle pace. This is a PullOverandLetMeOut winning combination and I look forward to selecting another unique and entertaining cruise soon.
Listen on the go!
Hey, Pinners! Pin this for later!
► Plan Your Trip to the North Carolina Sandhills, Now!
It makes it simple to plan your trip. We’ve pre-filled the destination from the article and if there are multiple places mentioned in the article, we’ve put the one that is best used as your base to see all of the places mentioned.
Just select I’M STAYING and enter the travel dates and hit SEARCH. It automatically uses the first place in the article.
For a multi-day trip, if you stay near that location, you should be able to use it as your base.
Super simple. Just click on the pencil and enter the name of any place mentioned in the story. Or you can enter any address or even the name of a company if you are mixing business and pleasure.
Just click I’M DRIVING and you can see how long it will take, get driving directions and even rent a car if you need one.
Yes, we guarantee the best published rates on hotels. Click on the link for BEST RATE 110% GUARANTEE for details.
More great travel stories you'll love reading!
10 Things to Do On Your Kentucky Road Trip
Hit the road with PullOverandLetMeOut and uncover 10 exciting things to do on your Kentucky adventure.
Sensational Stocking Stuffers for the Traveler on Your List
PullOverandLetMeOut makes holiday gift-giving stress-free. Check out this amazing selection of last-minute gift ideas and stocking stuffers for the traveler on your list.
Myrtle Beach SkyWheel: Your Front-Row Seat to the Best Sunset Views
An iconic landmark on the Grand Strand of South Carolina’s famous Myrtle Beach, the SkyWheel offers a birds eye view of the beach, the ocean, and the surrounding areas. Travel along with PullOverandLetMeOut to find out why sunset is the ideal time to experience the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel.
