The town was established in 1791 as "Caswell Court House" and was later named Yanceyville in honor of U.S. Congressman Bartlett Yancey, Jr. when it was chartered as an incorporated town in 1833.[7]
When Person County was created out of Caswell County in 1791, the original county seat, Leasburg, was close to the eastern newly formed boundary line dividing the two. Commissioners were named in the county formation act to create a new county seat and courthouse near the geographical center of present Caswell County. Hence, the village of Caswell Court House (later Yanceyville) was founded.[11][12]
In 1833, Caswell Court House's name changed to Yanceyville when it was chartered as an incorporated town. Years later this initial charter was seemingly forgotten because a municipal charter was obtained from the General Assembly again in 1877. In 1885, the state legislature passed a similar act, but why it was necessary is unknown. In 1899, the act authorizing the town's incorporation was repealed. In 1905, Yanceyville was incorporated again, only to have the charter repealed once more in 1915. The town remained an unincorporated community until a successful attempt at reorganization and incorporation occurred in 1986.[7]
The identity of Yanceyville's namesake has been a matter of historical debate. The prevailing view is that the town is named after U.S. Congressman Bartlett Yancey, Jr., (1785–1828).[13] Surviving documents had strongly suggested that it was named for Bartlett Yancey, Jr.'s older brother James Yancey (1768–1829). The elder Yancey was a legislator, merchant, planter, public official, and educator. In 1977, North Carolina historian William S. Powell wrote that the preponderance of evidence supported Bartlett Yancey, Jr., as the town's namesake.[12][14][7]
A new county courthouse was constructed in the mid-1970s and is located a few blocks north of Court Square.[17] Construction on the preceding historic courthouse began in 1858 during the tail end of the area's prosperous "Boom Era." Built using enslaved labor, it was completed in 1861 amid the early stages of the American Civil War.[18][19]
If Yanceyville had not been the county seat, it likely would have been abandoned as a ghost town after the war's end in 1865. The previous plantation way of life had disappeared. No clear geographic or commercial reason for the town's existence remained other than the purpose of functioning as the county's seat of government.[7]
With no railroad, major waterway, or ability to attract commerce, Yanceyville was almost entirely reliant on agricultural enterprises in the surrounding county in the decades following the Civil War. These businesses focused mainly on tobacco and were dominated by markets beyond Caswell County. Agricultural practices in Yanceyville during the antebellum period and thereafter had overused the land and caused soil erosion. Gullies were evident on most farms. From 1880 to 1900, the dire economic situation led to a sharp decline in the township's population. Such agronomic challenges persisted well into the 20th century.[20][21][7]
Improved farming techniques in the 1940s and 1950s curbed further land degradation, which contributed significantly to Yanceyville's economic development and revitalization.[7] During the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st, the local economy continued to develop, diversify, and experience growth away from tobacco cultivation.[13]
Geography
Interactive map of Yanceyville town limits
Yanceyville is located at the center of Caswell County.[22] According to the United States Census Bureau, Yanceyville has a total area of 6.96 square miles (18.0km2), of which 6.93 square miles (17.9km2) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.078km2) (0.43%) is water.[2]
Climate
On the Köppen climate classification scale, Yanceyville is in the Cfa (humid subtropical) zone, which is standard for the state. Its location in the Piedmont region means average winter temperatures ranging from 28.9–52.4°F (−1.7–11.3°C), with moderate snowfall, and mild to hot summers.[23]
The county is sometimes included in the well-known "Carolina Alley." This is mostly caused by the cold air from the Appalachian Mountains mixing with the warm Piedmont air.[24] According to USA.com, the county ranks No. 79 in tornado risk out of all 100 counties in North Carolina. It also ranks No. 41 in earthquake risk in the state.[25] From 1950 to 2010, there have been 28 tornadoes rated F2/EF2 or higher; out of all 28, four have had a rating of F3/EF3. From 1950 to 2010, there were a reported 12,795 severe weather related incidents (hail, thunderstorms/heavy winds, and flooding).[25]
Yanceyville is in a very low-risk hurricane zone, with thirty-five occurring in the area since 1930. The largest was the 1935 Labor Day hurricane and the most recent was Tropical Storm Ana in 2015.[26] From 1950 to 2010, there have been 13 reported tropical storms/hurricanes that have hit the area.[25] One reason that August and September are among the wettest months is due to the influx of precipitation caused by the yearly hurricane season.[27]
The mildest months of the year for Yanceyville and the region are May, September, and October. There are seven months (April–October) with average high temperatures in the range of 70.5–89.8°F (21.4–32.1°C). In 2018, July was the hottest month with an average high temperature of 89.1°F (31.7°C). January is usually the coldest month for the town. The most humid months are June, July, and August.[28]
Climate data for Yanceyville 4 SE, North Carolina (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1996–present)
At the 2020 census, there were 1,937 people and an estimated 1,208 households and 690 families residing in the town. In 2020, the estimated median age in Yanceyville was 48.9 years. For every 100 females, there were an estimated 113.6 males.[6]
At the 2010 census, there were 2,039 people and an estimated 671 households and 359 families residing in Yanceyville.[34] In 2010, the estimated median age was 41.1 years. For every 100 females, there were an estimated 110.2 males.[35]
2000 census
At the 2000 census,[36][4] there were 2,091 people and an estimated 658 households and 400 families residing in Yanceyville. The population density was 450.9 inhabitants per square mile (174.1/km2). There were 748 housing units at an average density of 161.3 per square mile (62.3/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 53.99% African American, 44.29% White, 1.00% Hispanic or Latino, 0.33% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.33% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races.
Out of the 658 households, 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.0% were married couples living together, 24.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 36.8% of all households consisted of individuals living alone and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.88.
The age distribution of the town's population consisted of 19.6% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 32.9% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older.
The median income for a household in Yanceyville was $20,353 and the median income for a family was $26,417. Males had a median income of $24,632 versus $20,398 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,956. About 23.3% of families and 27.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.7% of those under age 18 and 24.1% of those age 65 and over.
Yanceyville's economy was historically reliant on tobacco cultivation. The local economy was negatively impacted when demand began decreasing in the late 1990s due to a crisis in the tobacco industry regarding the health effects of smoking.[37]
Three main areas of business are located in Yanceyville: Downtown (the Historic District), West Main Street, and Highway 86. The town's central business district (CBD) starts at NC 62 and Main Street, extending west on Main Street for roughly one mile (1.6km). Its focal point is Court Square, which contains the county's historic courthouse.[38]
Approximately half of the central business district is located within the town's historic district. Businesses in the CBD include banks, law offices, CPAs, a newspaper company, an auction house, hair salons, a coffee shop, restaurants, a bike shop, and a general store.[38] CoSquare, a county-supported coworking space, is located in the downtown historic area.[39][37]
The largest industries in Yanceyville are accommodation and food services, health care and social assistance, and manufacturing.[40] Manufacturers in the town include USA-RS Services, Chemtek, and Royal Textile Mills. Yanceyville is also home to one industrial park: Caswell County Industrial Park.[41]
The Caswell County Local Foods Council initiates community-driven projects and manages the Caswell Farmers' Market in Yanceyville.[42] NC Cooperative Extension's office in Yanceyville connects local farmers and agribusinesses with vital research-based information and technology.[43]
Yanceyville was once home to the Madger Studios,[44] later known as Carolina Pinnacle Studios,[45] a film production complex. Today, the site is now used as industrial space.
Arts and culture
Bright Leaf Hoedown, 2019
Yanceyville annually hosts the "Bright Leaf Hoedown," which takes place in the town square. It is a one-day outdoor festival held in late September featuring local food vendors, live entertainment, crafts, and non-profit organizations. The event usually draws more than 5,000 guests.[46][47]
The Caswell County Historical Association holds its annual Heritage Festival each May in Yanceyville. The festival celebrates town and county history through living history reenactments, tours, games, vendors, and live music.[48]
The Caswell County Civic Center has a full-size professionally equipped stage, a 912-seat auditorium, meeting and banquet facilities for up to 500, a lobby art gallery, and accessories for concerts, theatre, and social functions.[53] Events are also held at the Yanceyville Pavilion and the Fulton-Walton Fellowship Center.
Gunn Memorial Public Library offers summer reading programs to children of all ages.[54]
Parks and recreation
Maud F. Gatewood Municipal Park
Outdoor recreational areas in Yanceyville include:[55][9]
Caswell Community Arboretum
Caswell County Parks and Recreation Center
Maud F. Gatewood Municipal Park
Yanceyville Park/Memorial Park
S.R. Farmer Lake, located in Caswell County, was built in 1986 for the people of nearby Yanceyville.[56]
The Caswell County Department of Parks and Recreation offers indoor and outdoor recreational facilities as well as sports programs and activities.[57]
Yanceyville operates under a council–manager form of government. The Town Council is composed of four council members and a mayor who are elected at large by voters. Neither the mayor nor council members run for office according to party affiliation. Ballots do not contain their political party membership information.[58][59] The nonpartisan Town Council's role is to facilitate economic, infrastructure, and community development. Moreover, it determines which services to offer citizens to ensure the community stays socially and fiscally prosperous and healthy.[60]
The Town Council is also responsible for establishing policies guiding the town's administration e.g., public safety, law enforcement, fire and rescue, and emergency services issues. Additionally, its responsibilities include setting Yanceyville's tax, water, and sewer rates, and appointing a town manager.[60]
The town manager's responsibilities include directing operational activities, supervising personnel, budgeting, planning, zoning, and purchasing.[60] In July 2021, Kamara Barnett was appointed the town manager of Yanceyville.[61]
In July 2021, the Town Council's members were:[60]
The Town Council conducts meetings at the Yanceyville Municipal Services Building.[62] Yanceyville's government has additional offices for economic development, public services, public safety, human resources, finance, utilities, planning, zoning, and general administration. The Caswell County Board of Commissioners holds its regular meetings at the historic courthouse in Yanceyville.[63]
Education
Piedmont Community College – Caswell County Campus
Caswell County Area Transportation System (CATS) offers public transport services to residents of Caswell County.[70]
Healthcare
Caswell Family Medical Center is the largest primary care provider in Yanceyville. Urgent and specialty care, as well as behavioral healthcare services, are also available.[71]
Yancey County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,470. Its county seat is Burnsville.
Caswell County is a county in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is located in the Piedmont Triad region of the state. At the 2020 census, the population was 22,736. Its county seat is Yanceyville.
Buncombe County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is classified within Western North Carolina. The 2020 census reported the population was 269,452, making it the 7th-most populous county in North Carolina. Its county seat is Asheville. Buncombe County is part of the Asheville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Avery County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,806. The county seat is Newland. The county seat was initially established in Elk Park when the county was first formed, but was moved to Newland upon completion of the courthouse in 1912. Founded in 1911, it is the youngest of North Carolina's 100 counties.
Alamance County is a county in North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 171,415. Its county seat is Graham. Formed in 1849 from Orange County to the east, Alamance County has been the site of significant historical events, textile manufacturing, and agriculture.
Graham is a city and the county seat of Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Burlington, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census the population was 17,153.
Milton is a town in Caswell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 166 at the 2010 census. It is adjacent to the Virginia International Raceway, just across the state line in Virginia.
Asheboro is a city in and the county seat of Randolph County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 27,156 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Greensboro-High Point Metropolitan Area of the Piedmont Triad and is home of the state-owned North Carolina Zoo.
Burnsville is a town that serves as the county seat of Yancey County, North Carolina, United States. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, sits in the shadow of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the Eastern Continental United States. The population was 1,612 at the 2020 census.
Hugh B. Webster was an accountant, farmer, register of deeds, and North Carolina state senator from Caswell County, North Carolina. As a state senator, he represented North Carolina's 24th Senate district from 1995 to 2006, which included constituents in Alamance, Caswell, and parts of Person counties.
Bedford Brown was a Democratic United States Senator from the State of North Carolina between 1829 and 1840.
Bartlett Yancey was an American politician who was a U.S. congressman from North Carolina, United States, between 1813 and 1817. He was a member of the Democratic-Republican party.
Leasburg is a former town and the former county seat of Caswell County, North Carolina, United States. The community has a partial presence in Person County. The population was 1,662 at the 2010 census. It was named in honor of longtime resident William Lea and is located along US 158 and NC 119 near Hyco Lake. Leasburg is also the name of a Caswell County township.
John Kerr was a Baptist minister who also served two term in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Virginia's 15th congressional district
Caswell County Schools is a PK–12 graded school district serving Caswell County, North Carolina. Its six schools serve 3,012 students as of the 2010–2011 school year.
Caswell County Courthouse is a historic county courthouse located in Yanceyville, Caswell County, North Carolina. It was built between 1858 and 1861, and is a rectangular two-story, stuccoed brick building, five bays wide and seven deep. It sits on an elevated granite block foundation and features a two-level recessed entrance porch and octagonal cupola.
Bartlett Yancey House is a historic home located in Yanceyville, Caswell County, North Carolina. It consists of a two-story L-shaped Greek Revival block added to the front of the original Federal house in 1856. The original section was built around 1810. It features a Victorian overlay of front and side porches added late 19th century. Also on the property are the original smokehouse, a Federal period law office, several log tobacco barns, and the Yancey family graveyard. It was the home of Congressman Bartlett Yancey (1785-1828).
Poteat House, also known as Forest Home, is a historic plantation house located near Yanceyville, Caswell County, North Carolina. It was built in 1855–1856, and consists of a two-story main block, three bays wide, with flanking one-story wings in the Greek Revival style. It has a center hall plan and was restored in 1928–1929 by Helen Poteat and her husband, author and playwright Laurence Stallings. It features a reconstructed double pedimented portico supported by four plain Roman Doric order columns. Also on the property is a contributing small cabin used by enslaved people. The house was the birthplace of painter Ida Isabella Poteat.
Yanceyville Historic District is a national historic district located in Yanceyville, Caswell County, North Carolina, USA. It encompasses 11 contributing buildings in the county seat of Yanceyville. It includes notable examples of Greek Revival style architecture. In addition to the separately listed Caswell County Courthouse, other notable buildings include the Thornton House, Paul Haralson House, Jeremiah Graves House (Dongola), Dr. Nathaniel Roan House, Presbyterian Church, Kerr House, Thomas D. Johnston House, and the brick store.
Bartlett Yancey High School (BYHS) is a public high school located in Yanceyville, North Carolina, serving students in the ninth through twelfth grades. It is in the Caswell County Schools school district.
↑ "Station: Yanceyville 4 SE, NC". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
↑ M. Ruth Little (July 2014). "William Henry and Sarah Holderness House"(PDF). National Register of Historic Places – Nomination and Inventory. North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
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