Graham

In the early 1800s, the western part of Orange County was more than a day's journey from the county seat of Hillsborough. Area residents petitioned for a new county, which prompted the North Carolina General Assembly to create Alamance County. Centrally located, Graham was established as its county seat. Men arrived by stagecoach, horseback, and wagon to live and work in this emerging town. Entrepreneurs provided the vision and tradesmen supplied the labor as mercantile businesses, hotels, and homes dotted the town's growing skyline. Graham became a trading center for residents of Alamance County as well as the neighboring counties of Orange, Chatham, Caswell, and Randolph. Before long, all roads led to Graham. Today, activities in the community still revolve around the court square and downtown businesses. Graham showcases the vibrant history and evolution of this unique North Carolina Piedmont town.

Amy Edwards Barr is the head of children's services at Graham Public Library. She is a member of the Alamance County War Memorial Committee and the Alamance County Genealogical Society. Jerry Peterman is a lifetime resident of Graham and president of the Graham Historical Society. He retired from the Graham Fire Department in 2002. In 2005, Peterman was elected mayor of Graham. He is also the curator of the Graham Historical Museum.