Bladenboro, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bladenboro, North Carolina
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The water tower in Bladenboro (now demolished)
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Location in Bladen County and the state of North Carolina
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Bladen |
| Government | |
| • Type | Board of Commissioners |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.21 sq mi (5.74 km2) |
| • Land | 2.21 sq mi (5.74 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 102 ft (31 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,648 |
| • Density | 744.02/sq mi (287.24/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
28320
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| Area codes | 910, 472 |
| FIPS code | 37-06240 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2405277 |
Bladenboro is a small town located in Bladen County, North Carolina, in the United States. In 2020, about 1,648 people lived there. It's known for its history, especially a local mystery called the "Beast of Bladenboro."
Contents
The Story of Bladenboro
How Bladenboro Started
Bladenboro began as a farming area. People also made turpentine (a liquid from pine trees) and cut down trees for lumber (wood for building). The town started to grow quickly after a railroad was built through the area in 1859.
In 1885, two brothers, R.L. and H.C. Bridger, moved to Bladenboro. They started a turpentine business and later got into the timber business. They also ran a cotton gin (a machine that separates cotton fibers from their seeds).
The Bridger family played a big part in shaping the town and its economy for many years. They owned important businesses that gave jobs to many people. These businesses included Bridger Corporation, Bladenboro Cotton Mills, and the Bank of Bladenboro. The town of Bladenboro officially became a town in 1903.
The Mystery of the Beast of Bladenboro
In 1954, Bladenboro became famous across the country because of some strange animal killings. Most of the animals were dogs and farm animals. Their jaws were broken, and it looked like their blood had been drained. This was similar to stories of the Chupacabra, a creature from folklore.
People who saw the attacker described it as looking like a large cat or a wolf. This led to the local legend known as the "Beast of Bladenboro." Years later, in 2008, a TV show called Monster Quest looked into these attacks. They thought the attacker might have been a cougar.
Where Bladenboro Is Located
Bladenboro is located at 34°32′26″N 78°47′35″W / 34.54056°N 78.79306°W. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town covers an area of about 2.2 square miles (5.7 square kilometers), and all of it is land.
People in Bladenboro
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 276 | — | |
| 1920 | 459 | 66.3% | |
| 1930 | 587 | 27.9% | |
| 1940 | 724 | 23.3% | |
| 1950 | 796 | 9.9% | |
| 1960 | 774 | −2.8% | |
| 1970 | 783 | 1.2% | |
| 1980 | 1,428 | 82.4% | |
| 1990 | 1,821 | 27.5% | |
| 2000 | 1,718 | −5.7% | |
| 2010 | 1,750 | 1.9% | |
| 2020 | 1,648 | −5.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The census is a count of all the people in a place. In 2000, there were 1,718 people living in Bladenboro. There were 762 households, which means 762 homes where people lived.
About 26.1% of households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had about 2.19 people. The average family had about 2.83 people.
The population was spread out by age:
- 22.8% were under 18 years old.
- 20.4% were 65 years or older.
The average age in the town was 42 years old.
Famous People from Bladenboro
- Paul V. Nolan (1923-2009) was a state legislator in Tennessee from 1969 to 1970.
Schools in Bladenboro
The public schools in Bladenboro are part of the Bladen County School system. They include:
- Bladenboro Primary School (for grades K-4)
- Bladenboro Middle School (for grades 5–8)
- West Bladen High School (for grades 9–12)
Some schools that used to be open in Bladenboro include:
- Bladenboro High School (which joined with Tar Heel High School to become West Bladen High School)
- Spaulding Monroe Middle School (now part of Bladenboro Middle School)
- Spaulding Monroe High School (which joined with Bladenboro High School)
See also
In Spanish: Bladenboro (Carolina del Norte) para niños
