The history of the town of Chapel Hill began in 1792 with the establishment of the seat of the University of North Carolina. On December 5th of that year, the trustees appointed commissioners to erect buildings of the University and to develop the surrounding town. New Hope Chapel Hill was the name derived from the Church of England edifice, New Hope Chapel that was located at the top of the hill at the crossing of two primary roads.

 

The community flourished around the campus, which received its first students in 1795. The university generated a base strong enough to support a town, providing boarding houses, stores, clothing shops and other businesses vital to a college community. Chapel Hill was chartered in 1851 and became one of seven Orange County townships in 1868.

 

Prior to the 1880s, the area that was to become Carrboro was composed of small farms, fields, streams and woods, much like the rest of rural North Carolina. Carrboro was the site of a railroad depot that served the University of North Carolina and the village of Chapel Hill one mile away. The growth of various industries located near the depot was responsible for the emergence of Carrboro as a town.

 

In 1911, the settlement was incorporated as Venable, named to honor former University President Francis P. Venable. Two years later the name was changed to Carrboro in honor of Julian S. Carr, famed industrialist responsible for town development.

 

The towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro grew through the decades so that they appear now as one community, but each retains its own town government, police and fire services. The public schools, however, do have a combined service area. The University continues to be a major industry, but there is an exciting new growth influence in Research Triangle Park.

 

Research Triangle Park, a co-operative community of research and development organizations employing thousands of people, has had an increasing impact on the area’s growth rate in the last three decades.

 

Expansion and growth led to the establishment of rural community areas like The Trails. In 1978, this community was created, comprising 102 lots for home sites, a common area with club house and miles of trails for horseback riding, jogging and walking. Like the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, The Trails expanded and currently has 97 homes. All homeowners share in government responsibility by the election of board members who are responsible for covenant enforcement and maintenance of common grounds as well as water and sewer systems. Dominant economic factors like educational opportunities, medical services and research activities assure continued growth and escalation of property values.