Warrenton, North Carolina

Warrenton is a town in Warren County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 811 at the 2000 census. Warrenton, located on U.S. 401 and U.S. 158, was founded in 1779 and serves as the county seat. Over 90 percent of its buildings are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Warrenton served as a place for trade and entertainment for the plantation owners. Large homes were built in the town with many remaining from the early and mid-19th century. Prestigious academies for men and women were chartered, one of the earliest being The Warrenton Male Academy, formed in 1788. Commercial and government structures in the town date back to the late 19th century and early 1900s. Warrenton traces its origin to 1779, the same year that Bute County was divided to form Warren and Franklin Counties. It became a busy center of commerce as rich tobacco and cotton fields converged with a railroad to make it reportedly the wealthiest town in North Carolina in the 1850s. It was also famous as the home of well-known builder Jacob Holt, who built Greek revival style houses throughout the region and whose workshop supplied millwork to builders even farther afield. Warrenton is also the birthplace of former North Carolina U.S. Senator Josiah Bailey, Georgia U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, Braxton Bragg, Thomas Bragg and Alfred Mordecai (1804-1887).

History and Attractions

Named for Dr. Joseph Warren, the patriot and soldier who fell at Bunker Hill, Warrenton was incorporated in 1779. A plot and survey of the streets and lots and public squares was made in that year by William Christmas. One hundred lots, each containing one-half acre, convenient streets and squares and a common area for the use of the town, were all established.

As one of the wealthiest towns in North Carolina from 1840 to 1860, Warrenton benefits from a large concentration of historic architecture. Prominent architects include Jacob Holt and Albert Gamaliel Jones who designed and built houses in the Federal, Greek Revival and Italianate styles.

Compromising nearly half the town and over 50 structures, the National Historic District was established in 1976

Additional Links

An online visitors guide is available at: http://www.discoverwarrencounty.com A full history of Warrenton may be found at: http://www.ncgenweb.us/ncwarren/warrenton/toc.htm. A history of architect Jacob Holt may be found at: http://ncarchitects.lib.ncsu.edu/people/P000039 A history of architect A.G. Jones may be found at: http://ncarchitects.lib.ncsu.edu/people/P000030

References