Then & Now: Over a century of change, Cary celebrates 150th anniversary
On Saturday, Cary kicked off its 150th Anniversary celebration with a series of virtual tours, scavenger hunts in parks, and a look back at how the town has changed since its founding 150 years ago.
Many people are not aware of Cary's rich history. It started as just one square mile of land, built around the all-important railroad tracks. A humble railroad town, it has grown immensely since it was founded on April 3, 1871 as "Carey."
The clerical error was later fixed: Cary.
Founded as a 'dry' town and named after a preacher who taught the importance of abstaining from alcoholic beverages, it's perhaps ironic that downtown Cary now boasts some of the most popular breweries in the Triangle.
However, for as much as the town has changed, quite a bit of the original town can still be seen -- if you know where to look.
The Friends of Page-Walker developed a multi-part virtual tour exploring historic sites that provide a glimpse into Cary's past.
Cary High School
Although the original Cary High School has changed a bit over the decades, it still proudly overlooks Academy Street. Several of the historic houses down Academy Street are also still standing – such as the Pasmore House, built in 1900 as a boarding house for the school's students, which is now Cotton House Craft Brewers.
There's also the Sams-Jones House, built around 1902, where the school's principal lived. It's still sitting on the corner right across from the old Cary High.
Ashworth's Drugstore, originally used as the Masonic Temple, was built in the early 1930s. Before that, the corner was known as Uncle Bob's Corner, and, much like today, it housed a place where students gathered for food and company.
The Page-Walker Hotel
Even before Cary existed, Frank Page, the 'father' of Cary, laid down railroad tracks across his 300 acres of land. He opened a mill, a store and a hotel. He became the postmaster.
The Page-Walker Hotel and homestead was central to Cary's community. With train stations on either side of it, the view from the hotel might have been similar today. Aside from being heavily-wooded and less-developed, the area's topography is similar to today – with the Page-Walker's iconic roof visible alongside the railroad tracks cutting through town.
Railroad Street served as the town's 'main street'
Things have changed a lot along modern-day Cedar Street.
Today, Cedar Street is the little side road that runs alongside the railroad tracks. It's often used as street parking for people visiting Bond Brothers or the shops along Chatham Street.
But 150 years ago, that road was called Railroad Street, and it would have played the same role as Chatham Street plays today – holding a line of shops, a warehouse and even a blacksmith.
Unfortunately, the area burned down. Now, the road sits quietly behind the little shopping center on Chatham Street – a forgotten relic from Cary's past.
Collectible trading cards of Cary history
In honor of the 150th Anniversary of the town's founding, many prizes have been hidden around town. Cary's parks have secret stickers and cards hiding like Easter eggs. Some of downtown Cary's businesses have these collectible trading cards, highlighting fascinating memories and history from the town's past.
Some of the cards harken all the way back to when the Tuscarora tribe lived on this land. Others tell 'hidden history' about Cary, such as the secret Masonic staircase inside Ashworth's.
The Cary150 website is selling limited-edition, branded shirts, water bottles, stickers and umbrellas to help residents celebrate the 150th birthday of their town.
Most of all, the town wants Cary residents to share their own Cary history as part of a virtual scrapbook.
"Every individual memory is a part of our town’s larger narrative, and we want to memorialize and celebrate your part in our collective history," reads the website.
Whether you have generations of Cary roots, or just moved here yesterday, your story is becoming part of the town's history. So celebrate – because in another 150 years, the stories we create today will become our very own history.
