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s:
<br /> Past Pre ent , and Future ag
<br /> Orange County's Past in other parts of the south. In fact,three- 1900(current boundaries),the County 1
<br /> 200 Years Ago(1775-1825)Two hundred quarters of the landowners in the County started to develop an identity which it would',
<br /> years ago, Orange County was in its infancy owned less than 500 acres of land and only carry into the modern era. However,in 1875
<br /> as a political entity,with a population of three percent of landowners held more than Orange County farmers began to see the
<br /> 15,657 in 1800(this included some parts of 1,000 acres.While County farmers were value and size of farms shrinking. Still deal-
<br /> Durham County). Recently created in 1752, fi , ¢ >
<br /> ing with the social and economic effects of
<br /> the County was working hard to determine ' ; , � ' the Civil War,the nature of farming in the
<br /> its place in regional and state politics. In _" , �� ', County started to change. Due to financial
<br /> 1782, Hillsborough was even selected as burdens and changing regulations, cash
<br /> the state capital,although it lost that place /,,A.)� ,f - crops,such as bright leaf tobacco and cotton,
<br /> 91 ' •7 slowly replaced subsistence farming to Raleigh only a year later. In 1789,the 11 _c �' 4 ' ;� 6�-`' �, i_ y p gin Or-
<br /> University of North Carolina,the first
<br /> "'t �M ange County. In addition,new patterns of
<br /> state-supported university in the country, i �, land and farm ownership emerged;by 1910,
<br /> 1 J' ' i ' "3""� ' 25%of African American farmers in Orange
<br /> was chartered and surveyed on top of New !� ,,._
<br /> Hope Chapel Hill. Bustling with activity `'I ;;. , " .;, ",."y�'�`' County owned their own land.•
<br /> and growth,Orange County played a major ■( ,� . t'I`"� I •' `,` ■ The effects of the Civil War were also seen
<br /> role in the region 4,4i', '' , // , ti
<br /> g>on as an economic and politi- G, in the urban areas of the County as small
<br /> cal center, and even had a stake in larger, "' 1''' towns grew larger and new towns sprang
<br /> national issues as well. Michael Brown up along the expanding rail lines. In fact,
<br /> Overall,the character of Oran e Coun dur- much less dependent on slavery than other Carrboro's history began during this period.
<br /> g southern communities,20%of the popula- First named Venable in 1911, its name was
<br /> ing this period was agricultural. In the early tion in 1790 was enslaved,rising to 27%by officially changed to Carrboro in 1913.
<br /> 1800s,places like Cedar Grove, Caldwell, 1800,
<br /> Oaks,and White Cross were important Other new communities forming along rail
<br /> centers for local farming communities. Most 100 Years Ago (1875-1925)One hundred links included Efland,University Station,
<br /> farms tended to be small subsistence farms years ago was an exciting time for Orange and Blackwood.
<br /> rather than the expansive plantations found County. With a population of 14,625 in
<br /> Orange County's Present Housing and Development has declined by 49,730 acres,or 68.3%, over
<br /> Population Approximately 91%of the County's housing the same time period. A variety of factors,
<br /> Between 1950 and 1990 Orange County's stock was built after World War II and 61% such as higher land values,loss of federal
<br /> population increased by 173%. The policy was constructed after 1970.In response to price supports, increased environmental
<br /> questions at hand are whether these trends countywide population growth experienced regulation,increased taxation,the advent
<br /> are desirable and whether we should work to between 1950 and 1990,the
<br /> alter them in the future. As of 1990,57% number of housing units in the Acres of Farmland and Harvested
<br /> of the County's residents lived within the County increased from 8,422 to Cropland, Orange County 1967-1996
<br /> municipal limits of one of the County's four 38,683. Likewise the number of 1967 1183,263
<br /> towns: Carrboro, Chapel Hill,Hillsborough households increased by 28,322 - 67,885
<br /> and Mebane(Orange County portion). On households,or 364%,during the 1977 1156,878
<br /> a township basis,Chapel Hill contained same time period. The majority - 32,900
<br /> the largest percentage of persons(66%)and of new housing was concentrated 1 ggg "/A
<br /> Little River the lowest(2%). The popula- in the now municipal portions - 27,100 Harvested Cropland
<br /> :ion distribution in the other townships was: of the County. For every indi- 1992 167,a91
<br /> _z3,soo Total Farmland
<br /> Bingham 5%,Cedar Grove 4%,Cheeks 6%, vidual rural dwelling constructed -
<br /> Eno 6%,and Hillsborough 11%. during this period,approximately 1996 144,500
<br /> _23,000
<br /> two were built in municipalities. 0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000
<br /> Furthermore,within Source: Orange County C
<br /> Orange County Population 9 ry ooperative Extension Service
<br /> 100,000 93,851 the four municipali-
<br /> ties,residential development has of the corporate farm,and changing market
<br /> 80,000 77,055 largely been focused in Chapel forces,have reduced the overall profitability
<br /> Hill,which accounts for 64%of of farming and thus triggered farmland loss
<br /> 60,000 57,567 all residences built in municipal in the County.
<br /> portions of the County between
<br /> 42,970 Forests
<br /> 40,000 34,434 1950 and 1990. Additionally,a study done by the Triangle
<br /> Farmland Land Conservancy showed that in 1988
<br /> 20,000 The total farmland in the County prime forests covered nearly 90,000 acres,or
<br /> has declined by 138,763 acres,or 35%,of Orange County. Nine years later
<br /> ° 1950 1 960 1970 1980 1990 76%,from 1967 to 1996. Har- the study found that 10%of these prime
<br /> Source: U.S.Census vested cropland in the County forests had been lost or reduced in size.
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