Carrboro

Carrboro was first settled in 1882 around a University of North Carolina railroad spur.  It was originally known as West End, due to its geographic location directly west of Chapel Hill.  In 1911, the town was incorporated under the name Venable, for chemistry professor and University of North Carolina president Francis Preston Venable.  It wasn’t until 1913 that the town made its final name change in honor of Julian Shakespeare Carr, owner of the local textile mill, after Carr expanded the mill and provided electricity to the community.

Growth has continued through to today and this has resulted in the creation of a vibrant and diverse community.  Carrboro Farmer’s Market, two venues that host national music acts (the Arts Center and Cat’s Cradle), and the DSI Community Theatre all call Carrboro home.  The town also hosts annual events like the Carrboro Music Festival, Carrboro Film Festival, and the North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival.  Today, over 20,000 people are able to call Carrboro home.