Sneedsboro, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sneedsboro
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 Sneedsboro, North Carolina
Location in North Carolina
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Anson |
| Elevation | 256 ft (78 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1021738 |
Sneedsboro was once a busy town in Anson County, North Carolina, in the United States. Today, it is known as a ghost town. This means it's a place where most or all people have left, and buildings are often left empty. Sneedsboro was the second oldest town in Anson County. It was located about 5 miles (8 km) southeast of a town called Morven.
Contents
The Early Days of Sneedsboro
The town of Sneedsboro was officially started in 1795. It was built near the Pee Dee River. People hoped it would become an important "inland river port." This meant it would be a busy place where goods could be loaded onto boats and shipped along the river.
What the Town Looked Like
Sneedsboro had streets with names, just like towns today. It also had important places for its residents. There was a post office for mail and a school for children. People could stay at an inn and buy supplies from a general store. The town also had two churches, one Methodist and one Baptist.
Why Sneedsboro Became a Ghost Town
By 1835, only 40 years after it was founded, Sneedsboro was almost empty. Several things caused people to leave.
Economic Challenges
Many people in North Carolina faced tough economic times. This meant it was hard to find jobs or make enough money. Because of this, many families moved away from Sneedsboro to find better opportunities elsewhere.
A Sickness Strikes
The town also suffered from an outbreak of typhoid fever. This was a serious illness that made many people sick. The combination of economic problems and the sickness led many residents to leave Sneedsboro for good.
Sneedsboro During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, a large group of Union soldiers came through the area. These soldiers were led by General William Tecumseh Sherman. They crossed the Pee Dee River at Sneedsboro. Even though the river was flooded, the soldiers spent time destroying anything valuable they found. This further damaged the once-thriving town.
What Remains of Sneedsboro Today
Today, there isn't much left of the original town. You can still see a few things that remind us of Sneedsboro's past.
Old Buildings and Graves
One of the few remaining parts is the crumbling chimney of the Knox Inn. This was likely the inn where travelers once stayed. There is also the Sneedsboro Cemetery. People were buried here between 1790 and 1840.
Important People Buried Here
Some notable people were buried in the Sneedsboro Cemetery. One was Charles Wilson Harris, who was a chairman and the first math professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Another was John Hinson, who served as a US Senator.
Notable Person
- John J. McRae: He was the 21st Governor of Mississippi.
