Okeewemee, North Carolina facts for kids

Okeewemee is a small community found in Montgomery County, North Carolina, in the United States. It's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town.

Where is Okeewemee?

Okeewemee is located in Montgomery County. It sits between the towns of Star and Troy. You can find it where State Road 1340 (Okeewemee - Star Road) meets State Road 1323 (Okeewemee Road).

• It's about three miles (4.8 km) west of Star.
• It's about four miles (6.4 km) northeast of Troy.
• It's about nine miles (14.5 km) southwest of Seagrove.
• The community of Black Ankle is four miles north.

Okeewemee is also close to several other counties. It's about seven miles (11.3 km) west of Moore County. It's six miles (9.7 km) south of Randolph County. Stanly County is about 12 miles (19.3 km) to the east. Finally, Richmond County is about 16 miles (24.7 km) to the north.

The community is about 620 feet (189 meters) above sea level. Okeewemee is also near major highways. It's three miles (4.8 km) west of U.S. Highway 220 (Bypass) and Interstate 73 / Interstate 74. It's also four miles (6.4 km) east of N.C. Highway 134.

A Look Back: Okeewemee's History

In the early 1800s, small schools began to appear in Montgomery County. One of these was the Forks of Little River School. It was later known as Crossroads.

Early Schools

Records from 1884 show that a school committee was in charge. This committee had to find teachers and get money to pay them. They also planned for new school buildings. In 1884, Sam Fountain, Elijah Richardson, and J.A. Reynolds were on the committee. Malcolm McMillan joined them in 1886. Other people who served on the school committee included C.C. Wallace, John R. Richardson, Ben F. Reynolds, John Allen, and Noah Shepherd. Many of these people helped the school for 25 to 30 years!

By 1891, the school was called Okeewemee School. This name honored the community and its first Post Office. The Post Office started in the home of Elizabeth Coggins and John L. Allen.

Around the year 1900, a new Okeewemee School building was built. Shepherd, McMillan, and Reynolds helped build it. It was a long, one-room building with a porch and a shingled steeple. At that time, 53 boys and girls went to the school. They were taught up to the seventh grade.

In 1908, the Okeewemee School had 36 boys and 22 girls. Their ages ranged from six to twenty years old! Later, when schools in the county joined together, the Okeewemee School closed.

Gold Mining in Okeewemee

The Carter Mine is one of the oldest mines in North Carolina. This mine was known for having a special type of rock called lime carbonate. It also had a rare kind of gold called telluride of gold.

It is believed that the Carter Mine produced at least $100,000 worth of gold. This gold came from parts of the mine that were less than 100 feet deep. Gold was found in quartz rock. This gold-rich rock was in a vein that was about three feet wide. Some parts of this vein were very rich in gold. In 1934, people found "sugar" vein quartz on the mine's waste piles.

Okeewemee Today

Okeewemee is still a small community today. It is known for its strong focus on education, religion, and family values.

Famous Residents

Kerry Collins, a former NFL Pro Bowl quarterback, lives in Okeewemee. He was also a Heisman Trophy Finalist, which is a big award in college football. Kerry Collins owns the Blue Q Ranch, which is a large farm. It covers more than 2,000 acres. He raises hundreds of cattle on his ranch and has many buildings on the property.

Helping Animals

Okeewemee is also home to the Montgomery County Humane Society. This organization helps and cares for many homeless pets. They work to find new homes for these animals through adoption.

Local Church

The Forks Of Little River Baptist Church is located in Okeewemee. This church was started way back in 1760. It was even used as the first schoolhouse in the community. Today, it is still one of the most popular churches in the county. It has a dedicated group of people who attend its worship services.