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- .
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