Carthage, the county seat for Moore County, was incorporated in 1776. The name was changed to Fagansville in 1806 in honor of Richardson Fagin for letting the county seat be moved from his house to another tract of land he donated to the county. The name was changed back to Carthage in 1818. The exact reason is unknown, but we've been called Carthage ever since.
Carthage has the characteristics of most small towns in the South; friendly people who genuinely are concerned about their neighbors, safe streets, a sense of community pride, and an atmosphere only one who has lived in a small town can understand. People who have grown up in Carthage love coming back and many return both to live and retire. Moore County's older generation plays an important role in our community as we are a popular retirement destination because of our pleasant year round climate and excellent medical facilities.
Carthage was once the "buggy capital of the world." The Tyson Jones Buggy Plant made and shipped buggies all over the world. For the last 22 years, Carthage has hosted the Carthage Buggy Festival.
Although the town appears very small, Carthage is the fastest growing municipality in Moore County and one of the 20 fastest growing municipalities in all of North Carolina. There are over 150 local businesses as well as Little River Golf Course. In 1990 the population was 910 and today it exceeds 2000. As current development trends continue, Carthage's future growth may outpace the most optimistic projections. But, Carthage is sure to continue to be a desirable place to live and raise a family.
Moore County continues to be a major international golf destination featuring over 42 golf courses available for pleasure, amateur, and major professional golfing events. We're also with easy driving distance of several large metropolitan areas including Greensboro, Raleigh, and Charlotte. Residents can enjoy attending many annual events including the North Carolina State Fair, Carolina Panther's football games, the Charlotte basketball games, a number of very popular NASCAR events, antique shows, and too many more interesting and enjoyable events to list in one place.
Other leisure activities and attractions in our immediate area include cycling, gardens, parks and playgrounds, tennis, fitness centers, many youth sports programs, and a rather large local equestrian following which our local Agricultural Extension Office values at over $3 million just in livestock.
The 2000 U.S. census statistics indicate that the current population level of Carthage is in the 1,800 - 1,900 person range. Moore County's overall population is approximately 75,000 and is expected to reach 83,500 by the year 2010.
Carthage Points of Interest
Bryant House & McLendon Cabin
State Rd #1210, 6 miles north of NC 73 in Carthage. Two unaltered historic properties that depict early country life. Bryant Manor House (circa 1820) features two fine mantles, handmade doors & window sashes. The McLendon Cabin (circa 1760) is the county's oldest standing structure in its original location. Guided tours are available. Open 2-5 pm Sundays or by appointment. Free. (910) 947-3995.
Carthage Historical Museum
Rockingham and Saunders Street in downtown Carthage. Provides a permanent home for artifacts covering 200 years of local history. Several exhibits reveal the town's past as the home of a renowned buggy factory, which the town commemorates each May with a popular family festival. The museum is open Sundays 2-5 p.m., or by appointment. Free. (910) 947-23331.
House in the Horseshoe
324 Alston House Road. 10 miles north of the center of Carthage. Holds an annual battle reenactment. (910) 947-2051. Built in 1772, this 18th century plantation home features a gabled roof, large double shouldered Flemish bond chimneys and a shed porch. Formerly a cotton plantation, the house clearly shows bullet holes resulting from a 1781 skirmish between Whigs and Tories. Admission to the site is free, open year round, and group tours are welcome. Hours vary according to season. Annual events include a Revolutionary War Battle Reenactment the first weekend in August and a Christmas Open House & Candle lighting celebration in early December.
In closing, if you meet someone and they are not quite where Carthage is, just tell them Pinehurst is one of our suburbs.
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