In 1660 King George II granted land to the second Earl of Granville, Lord John Carteret. The original land grant was extensive, encompassing a considerable part of the region including what is present day Johnston County, Orange County, Franklin County, and Warren County. The centerpiece of the territory was a Granville County which was Formed in 1746, thirty years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Granville County has gone through many reshapes and reorganizations, but has always persevered. Today’s Granville County includes five municipalities – the City of Oxford (county seat), the Town of Butner, the City of Creedmoor, the Town of Stem and the Town of Stovall – and is home to more than 60,000 residents. And this summer, 275 years after it was formed the county is preparing to celebrate its roots, its sense of community and their continued plans for future growth.
Two pillars of the 275-year celebration are a festival on July 24th and a commemorative book being created by local historians.
The July 24th events celebrate both the history and progress of the county with a dedication of the Phase III expansion of the Granville Athletic Park taking place at 9 a.m. The completed project adds tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, new playground space, a fitness station, open play areas for cornhole and other games, a sheltered pavilion area and ample parking. Plans also include nine additional holes for disc golf in the near future. The expansion adds 11 acres to the already existing park, totaling 80 acres of outdoor recreation space.
Following the dedication of the new facilities, the festival shifts at 10 a.m. to the opening ceremony for the 275th Anniversary Celebration including the presentation of colors and remarks from local dignitaries. Activities and entertainment are planned throughout the day (until 4 p.m.) as residents and visitors are encouraged to explore the park, choose from a wide variety of food truck menus, enjoy live music and programs, and learn more about resources available throughout the county.
Entertainment from the amphitheater stage includes all local performers and puts a spotlight on community talent ranging from gospel/inspirational singers to jazz/R&B performers. Also included is bluegrass music, local theater, line dancing and more, appealing to all ages and musical preferences.
11:00 Frank Sossamon: Southern gospel favorites and hymns
11:30 Oxford Housing Authority, summer camp participants: African drumming demonstration
12:00 Mary Potter Community Choir: Gospel selections
12:30 Silvanus Slaughter: Folk, jazz, rhythm & blues
1:00 Granville Little Theater: Historical skit/musical theater
1:30 Gwen Rubio and Friends: Mid-day stretch, line dancing
2:00 God’s Men of Harmony: A cappella gospel, praise music
2:30 Backyard Bluegrass Band: Bluegrass, country
3:00 Jonathan Abbott: Gospel, patriotic favorites
3:30 Detroit Yancey: Inspirational, jazz, rhythm & blues
In celebration of the 275th Anniversary, local author Lewis Bowling has been contracted by Granville County Government and the county’s 275th Anniversary Committee to create a comprehensive collector-style book focusing on the history and development of the county.
Bowling’s book follows the development of Granville County from its early history to present day, with a narrative accompanied by photos that have yet to be seen by the public. Mr. Bowling will be available throughout the day to sign copies of the book.
"I have been gathering new material for most of the summer," Bowling said, "and have had a good response from folks who have been willing to share their photos with me. I appreciate the community’s help and support."
Additional photos and information, Bowling explains, have come from the Masonic Home for Children, the Central Children’s Home, the North Carolina Room of the Richard H. Thornton Library, and the archives of the Oxford Public Ledger.
"In all of our 275 years, there has not been a comprehensive book written about Granville County that could serve as a stand-alone work like this," said committee member and local historian Mark Pace.
In addition to the commemorative book, a collectible coin is now available for sale to the public. The heavyweight metal coin features a new and distinctive design that commemorates Granville County’s 275th Anniversary, with a nod to the County’s iconic Courthouse on the flip side.
Serving as a presentation area for local programs of interest is the GAP’s outdoor classroom space, located along the walking trail in the Jonesland Environmental Preserve. Scheduled programs from this site include:
- 11:00: The History of Tobacco, Gary Cross, N.C. Cooperative Extension, Granville County, with special guest Billy Yeargin;
- 1:00: Reading Food Labels (informational workshop through the Creative Lifelong Learning program). Granville County Senior Services, facilitated by Linda Robinson;
- 3:00: Meet John Penn, featuring the Thornton Library’s North Carolina Room Specialist Mark Pace
Food trucks on site, with a wide variety of menu items to choose from, will be:
- B&T’s Frosty Green Snowballs;
- Cakes by Chelsea;
- D’s Presto;
- Jay Boyz Hot Dogs;
- Kona Ice;
- Mixx D’s;
- Nana’s Kitchen;
- R&J’s Fish, Wings and Things;
- Soul Bachi; and
- Southern Snow.
Almost 50 nonprofit vendors will be participating with exhibits, displays and community resources available throughout the Park. BoHo the Clown and McGruff the Crime Dog will make special appearances throughout the day as children enjoy bouncy houses, fire trucks on display from across the county, and hands-on activities. The Lord Granville Agricultural Heritage Association will also have vintage farm equipment on display at the Ellok Jones tobacco barn, located near the GAP’s main entrance.
The Granville Athletic Park is located at 4615 Belltown Road in Oxford. For more details about Granville County’s 275th Anniversary, please call the County Administration Office at 919-603-1308 or visit www.granvillecounty.org/275th.