While Chapel Hill may seem like a relatively quiet town, it still has its fair share of bustling areas and lively activities. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy a variety of places to explore, rich with history and timeliness charm. From paranormal legends to fantastic scientific endeavors, Chapel Hill has remained one of the best places to visit in North Carolina in Orange County.
As an established dental office in Chapel Hill that provides comprehensive dental services, we’re eager to give you a little insight into the town’s history. There’s a good reason why people love to travel and study in the Research Triangle.
Humble Beginnings With New Hope Chapel
Chapel Hill wasn’t always called Chapel Hill in the very beginning. Back in 1753, the town started off as two different land grants under a settler named William Barbee. His child, Christopher Barbee, would later go on to invest more in the land and support the construction of a university.
Before the university, however, came the well-known church called New Hope Chapel, which had already been built in 1752. New Hope Chapel remained the center of the growing town for a while. Construction followed the famous hill surrounding it and eventually continued from there.
Eventually, the structure of the church was later rebuilt for a new purpose. The building now stands as a historical relic near the university amongst many other buildings in the area.
Building an Educational Foundation With the University of North Carolina
The university that Christopher Barbee funded attracted plenty of curious intellectuals to the town, which boosted the growth of Chapel Hill. While The University of North Carolina originally started off with a focus on leadership training, it soon expanded its programs and offered a variety of science programs.
One of these programs, astronomy, took off and later became one of the biggest disciplines in the university. This led to the construction of the first astronomical observatory to ever be built in American state university in 1831.
After the Civil War–despite the university closing its doors temporarily–more programs were added after the school reopened. This further solidified The University of North Carolina as a leading university in the country. From there, the town continued to develop around the university.
How the New Hope Chapel Turned Into the Carolina Inn
Because Chapel Hill was chartered in 1851 on blessed land, the town also became known as “the southern part of heaven.” However, one of the biggest changes that happened as the town grew was the evolution of New Hope Chapel.
While the original building had started out as a small cabin to house travelers before the town was founded, no one knows why it stopped operating as a church. Despite its somewhat mysterious history, however, its name inspired the name for the town that would be known as Chapel Hill. It wasn’t until 1923 that the old church building would be rebuilt and transformed into The Carolina Inn.
In 1935, the inn was donated to The University of Carolina. The Carolina Inn is now both a historical marker and a meeting place for locals, especially students and alumni of the local university.
The Start of Fare-Free Transportation With the Chapel Hill Transit System
As the population began to rise, Chapel Hill eventually needed a way to help residents and visitors navigate through the busiest parts of town. Thus, the Chapel Hill Transit System was born.
It began as a study that lasted for 30 months. During this time, in 2013, city officials and contractors planned out the best way to travel along US 15-501 South and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, South Columbia Street. The transit system wasn’t completed until 2016.
Not only did construction focus on improving the aesthetics and overall connectivity of the area, but it also focused on accessibility. The Chapel Hill Transit System now operates on a fare-free basis, meaning residents and visitors do not have to pay to catch the bus.
Recognition of the West Chapel Hill Historic District
Chapel Hill is full of history, which is why many of its buildings and districts are included in the National Register of Historic Places. Since 1971, city officials have worked diligently to maintain the historic grounds of many places, including the Gimghoul local historic district and the Alexander Hogan Plantation.
The Gimghoul district is home to the famous Gimghoul castle, which is known as a haunted spot frequented by locals and tourists. Legend has it that a student named Peter Dromgool died in 1833 on the property while fighting another man for his lover’s affection. Supposedly, this is why a famous rock on the property has been stained with red blood ever since.
Another legend states that the castle was home to a secret society called “The Order of Gimghoul.” Unfortunately, the grounds are closed to everyone, including those curious enough to discover the truth for themselves.
Meanwhile, on the Alexander Plantation, artifacts found around the grounds have shown evidence of native tribes that existed for thousands of years. These findings have made this site a noteworthy area for archeologists. The grounds are memorialized for their part in the American Revolution, and the names of the slaves who helped build the house are also well documented.
How Chapel Hill, NC Is Today
Even with a new, thriving transit system and a dazzling nightlife that shines near the center of the city, Chapel Hill remains a special place for residents and visitors.
Franklin Street in particular is rich with its own history since it used to be the center of the town. It boasts plenty of modernized restaurants and family-owned businesses that families and college students can enjoy. However, there are plenty of other things to do in Chapel Hill that are waiting to be discovered.
If you’re moving to Chapel Hill, and you’re looking for a dentist that will take care of you and your family’s dental health, then feel free to contact us today to set up your first appointment. At Integrative Holistic Dentistry, we want you to feel like family, and we’re eager to be one of the first faces you see in town!