Spend a Sunny Saturday in Southern Pines, North Carolina

The region’s history is closely tied to its soil. Known as the “Sandhills,” this part of the state was settled in the early 18th-century by Highland Scots. (For more on the Scots in North Carolina click here) However, the sandy soil made farming and agriculture challenging at best. Consequently, it wasn’t until the railroad came through in the mid-19th century that the area took off. The native pine trees became a cash crop and were shipped all across the country.

They call it a “Paradise in the Pines.” In 1884, a gentleman named John T. Patrick purchased some acreage for a little more than $1,200 and named the area Southern Pines. Because of the region’s mild climate, Patrick envisioned a health resort. He wanted Southern Pines to become an escape from the northern cities. The town grew and although his dream never fully came to fruition, the healthy living aspect was the motivation for the town’s origins.

Over time, two Southern Pines developed – “East” Southern Pines which was inhabited primarily by locals of Scottish descent and seasonal visitors, and “West” Southern Pines which was one of the first incorporated African American towns. The western section was annexed into the larger Southern Pines area in 1931, creating the culturally diverse municipality that continues to flourish today.