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Lee County Celebrates Centennial

Three days before the nation celebrates its 231st birthday, residents of Lee County three a party to honor the 100th anniversary of the county's formation.

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SANFORD, N.C. — Three days before the nation celebrates its 231st birthday, residents of Lee County threw a party to honor the 100th anniversary of the county's formation.

Lee County was carved out of Chatham and Moore counties in the early 20th century, after Sanford business owners lobbied for their own county. The merchants noted that Sanford had a rail line through the middle of town, unlike Pittsboro and Carthage, the respective county seats of Chatham and Moore counties.

Named after Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, the county became the 98th of North Carolina's 100 counties.

The centennial celebration included a Robert E. Lee lookalike contest, a classic car display, a bluegrass concert, children's games and birthday cake and ice cream.

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