Orange County NC Website
TU ES DAY , J U LY 14 , 1998 <br /> HISTORIC FROM 1 <br /> cultural community that was once Should any state or federal <br /> the center of life . " projects go through the area — <br /> Belk said Orange County joins a such as a road widening — resi- <br /> half dozen other rural settings in dents know it would have to go <br /> North Carolina that have gained a through more rigorous reviews to <br /> listing on the national register. minimize upsetting the surround- <br /> "This area has largely escaped ing area. <br /> modern intrusions , " he said. "They know that a project could <br /> In 1994 a graduate student, still be approved , however, " Belk <br /> Shannon Sexton, began research- said . <br /> ing the area' s history. Sexton in- According to the application, <br /> terviewed more than a dozen resi- Cedar Grove's existence as a rural <br /> dents, and analyzed buildings for community began in 1828 when <br /> their architectural quality and his- . the post office was established at <br /> toric significance. the southeast corner of the cross- <br /> "The people were interested in roads where the Mildred Finley <br /> preserving what made Cedar house now stands. <br /> Grove special, " Belk said. By 1850, the community not <br /> The Orange County Historic only boasted the Cedar Grove <br /> Preservation , Commission held Academy — a private school, but <br /> four public hearings to inform res- also a tanner, a coachmaker, a <br /> idents of the benefits to being list- doctor, a dry goods store, a black- <br /> ed on a national register. smith and grocer. <br /> First , there is the pride of being Religion plays a vital role in <br /> many communities, Presbyterians <br /> recognized, he said. Second, pri- established diemselves in Cedar <br /> vate homeowners are eligible for Grove in 1756, then were followed <br /> a 30 percent state tax credit if by the Methodists is 1832. Each <br /> they renovate. Owners of money- have since erected churches that <br /> making properties can receive a stand as cornerstones to the com- <br /> 20 percent federal income tax munity. <br /> credit on any renovations. A plaque commemorates the lo- <br /> Plans must be approved - to en- cation of the Cedar Grove well, <br /> sure the quality of work and mate- where according to local history, <br /> rial, but there aren't the same re- ' 19th-century stagecoaches made <br /> strictions that some homeowners water trips. Parts of the wagon <br /> must endure in urban historic do trail are still visible, but hidden in <br /> ��• of to 1 weeds and among the trees to the <br /> "They can paint their house any west of the crossroads, <br /> color they want, and they can tear Belk said no formal ceremony <br /> it down without any problems, " has been made to acknowledge the <br /> Belk said.. `,There aren't any disad- recognition, but he is working on <br /> vantages." . it. <br /> - <br /> FIRE s <br /> 5410 Efland-Cedar Grove Road — ed in the living room but did not <br /> Patsy Large, George Christopher know the cause. <br /> and Large's daughter, Brandy Large said she couldn't imagine <br /> Baxter — were not at home when what started the firey The house <br /> the fire broke out. l . • had been empty since 6 a.m., and <br /> when firefighters from Cedar she said there were no electrical <br /> Grove and. Efland arrived at, the " appliances in the room <br /> white frame house about 2 pia.,. , Thu :American Red Cross was <br /> the living room alregg -was COMM ttr the scene to help the <br /> ablaze. Firefighters doused the family members find temporary <br /> flames, but the house was gutted. housing. <br /> Half of the home, dating from the The house, across the street <br /> early 1920s, burned down, and from the Eno Presbyterian <br /> part of the roof collapsed Church, was known in the comm <br /> The family's cockapoo-mix dog, munity as "The Miller House" or <br /> Rock, was found dead in one of "The Cude House. " It was once <br /> the bedroom � J +- <br /> s. the home of Elmer Folger Cude, a <br /> -, Firefighters said the blaze sta ` principal of the old Aycock schooL <br /> a ;_ _ . rt- . <br />