Bennett, North Carolina facts for kids
Bennett is a small town located in Chatham County, North Carolina, in the United States. It's a quiet place with a rich history and a strong community spirit.
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Where is Bennett Located?
Bennett is found in the southwestern part of Chatham County. It sits right next to Randolph County. Two main roads, North Carolina Highways 22 and 42, run close to the town center.
- NC 22 goes north about 14 miles (23 km) to Ramseur.
- It also goes south about 18 miles (29 km) to Carthage.
- NC 42 heads northwest about 22 miles (35 km) to Asheboro.
- It travels east about 24 miles (39 km) to Sanford.
- Another road, NC 902, joins these highways just south of Bennett. It leads northeast about 25 miles (40 km) to Pittsboro, which is the main town in Chatham County.
A Glimpse into Bennett's Past
Bennett started out with a different name! It was founded in 1888 and called "Boaz." Families like the Scotts and Kidds lived there.
How Bennett Got Its Name
A big change happened in 1910 when the Bonlee & Western Railroad arrived. With the railroad came a new name: "Bennett." The town was renamed after J.M. Bennett, who was a superintendent for the Atlantic & Yadkin Railroad.
Becoming an Official Town
Bennett officially became a town in 1915. H.A. Denson, who was a doctor, became its very first mayor. The town was planned to be quite large, with wide streets measuring 80 feet (24 m) across. It also had 10-foot (3 m) alleys, all laid out in a neat grid pattern.
Life in Early Bennett
In its early days, Bennett was a busy place! It had many different shops and services:
- A hotel for travelers.
- A ladies' store.
- A small shopping area.
- A unique store that sold both jewelry and chocolates.
- A shop that made and sold hats.
- Several grocery stores.
The town even had entertainment! A small house was turned into a silent movie theater. There was also an auditorium called the "Arbor" where local plays were performed.
A Story from the Past
In 1927, the town's bank was robbed. The people who did it were not caught right away. Later in their lives, after committing other crimes, they were finally caught and convicted in other states.
Changes Over Time
Bennett had two churches, Bennett Christian Church and Bennett Baptist Church. Today, only the Baptist church remains. The train stopped running in 1928. The Great Depression, a tough economic time, caused the town to shrink. Even so, many of the original houses are still standing. The town is well-maintained, partly thanks to Mayor Mike Brady, who helped bring county water service to the area.
Bennett Today
Even though it's a small town, Bennett still has important places and services for its residents:
- A hardware store.
- A fire station.
- Baxter's Garage and Brady's Grill.
- A post office.
- Routh's small grocery store and The Ram Food Mart.
- The Tri-County Ruritans, a community service club.
- Bennett School, which teaches students from kindergarten through 8th grade.
The town also hosts fun events! Every fall, Bennett holds its annual "Flatwoods Festival." It also has a special Christmas parade each year.
Interesting Places Near Bennett
There are a few unique spots located close to Bennett:
- The Devil's Tramping Ground: This mysterious circular patch of ground is located a few miles north of Bennett. Nothing is said to grow inside the circle.
- Southern Supreme Fruitcake factory: If you like fruitcake, this factory is just outside Bennett, off Highway 902.
- The Soapstone Quarry: A few miles south of Bennett, in Moore County, you can find this quarry. Soapstone is a soft rock that can be carved.
- Historic Mt. Vernon Springs: This historic site is just a few miles north on Mt. Vernon Springs Road.
- Colonel John Randolph Lane's home: He lived just north of Bennett, near Little Brush Creek.
See also
In Spanish: Bennett (Carolina del Norte) para niños
