Advance, North Carolina

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Advance (pronounced with the stress on the first syllable) is an unincorporated community located in Davie County, North Carolina. It is located along NC 801 just south of Bermuda Run near the western bank of the Yadkin River. Advance is a part of the Piedmont Triad and is home to Shady Grove Elementary School. Neighboring communitites and municipalities include: Bermuda Run, Mocksville, Hillsdale, and Yadkin College.

1 Name origin
2 The Biggest Little Small Town
3 Progress
4 Famous Residents
5 Landmarks
6 External links

[edit] Name origin

Various accounts exist for the origin of the town's name. Some suggest the name was derived from the name of a popular resident and freed slave, Addington Vance. As a matter of fact, racial tension was relatively low in Advance compared to other small southern towns. Other accounts suggest the community was named by residents who hoped that with the addition of a post office, the community would advance. It is possible that the name Advance was named after the NC purchased American Civil War ship named "Ad Vance" (after the Governor of North Carolina, Zebulon Vance).

[edit] The Biggest Little Small Town

While Advance is officially recognized by the United States Postal Service as encompassing the Hillsdale, Shady Grove, Cornatzer, Fulton, Bixby, & part of the Farmington communities, it truly is little more than a wide spot in the road on Highway 801, with the only sites of note being the US Post Office, Exxon Country Store, Advance United Methodist Church, Advance First Baptist Church, Tucker's Place Cafe, Advance Country Store, and the Masonic Lodge.

[edit] Progress

The Advance population has grown wildly within the past 10 years, with Advance changing from a strictly rural community to a bedroom community of Clemmons and Winston-Salem. Numerous housing developments have popped up on once-vibrant farmland, but Advance's small town character still shines through.

[edit] Famous Residents

Aunt Eloise, morning radio personality on 104.1 WTQR in Greensboro, NC
Dan Barret, 2004 gubernatorial candidate
Patty Moise, former NASCAR Winston Cup driver
Elton Sawyer, former NASCAR Winston Cup driver
Dan Tatum, gospel singer
John Wendel, meteorologist for WCNC television in Charlotte, NC
Chris Perry, professional football player

[edit] Landmarks

One significant landmark in the Advance area is the Vestal Potts Gymnasium. The basketball gymnasium is named after legendary coach Vestal Potts who coached Shady Grove's basketball teams to numerous championships.^{[citation needed]}