Hillsborough

Hillsborough was an early Piedmont colonial town where court was held, and was the scene of some pre-Revolutionary War tensions. In the late 1760s, tensions between (in a nutshell) Piedmont farmers and county officers welled up in the Regulator movement, which had its epicenter in Hillsborough. With specie scarce, many inland farmers found themselves unable to pay their taxes and resented the consequent seizure of their property. Local sheriffs sometimes kept taxes for their own gain and sometimes charged twice for the same tax. Governor William Tryon's conspicuous consumption in the construction of a new governor's mansion at New Bern fuelled the movement's resentment. As the western districts were under-represented in the colonial legislature, it was difficult for the farmers to obtain redress by legislative means. Ultimately, the frustrated farmers took to arms and closed the court in Hillsborough; dragging those they saw as corrupt officials through the streets. Tryon and North Carolina militia troops marched to the region and defeated the Regulators at the Battle of Alamance in May 1771. Several trials were held after the war, resulting in the hanging of six Regulators at Hillsborough on June 19, 1771.

The town was used as the home of the North Carolina state legislature during the American Revolution. Hillsborough served as a military base for British General Charles Cornwallis in late February 1781. It was from temporary headquarters near town that General Joseph E. Johnston rode out to surrender the largest of the Confederate armies to General Sherman in 1865.

Hillsborough is surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and is rich in historic and natural places to visit. Hillsborough's historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features more than 100 late 18th- and early 19th-century structures. Hillsborough is a small town with a big history.

So here you are. You have made to the Greater Research Triangle area. Good choice! Many people have decided that living here will provide the very best lifestyle available, including buying a home in Hillsborough, landing the best employment and even finding the best schools and/or or higher education. Thousands of people have made the decision to relocate to the Research Triangle, just like you. A newcomer will find why the Greater Research Triangle has ranked as one of the best regions in North Carolina to live or work, to buy the best real estate, to start a business, to raise a family, or even to retire.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN HILLSBOROUGH

Exploring life in Hillsborough is a good decision, and here are fun things to know:

*William Hooper - a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was buried in the Presbyterian Church cemetery in October 1790. However, his remains were later reinterred at Guilford Court House Military Battlefield. His original gravestone remains in the town cemetery.

*Occoneechee Speedway - just outside Hillsborough, was one of the first two NASCAR tracks to open and is the only track remaining from that inaugural 1949 season.

*Alexander Dickson House -150 E. King St., 732-7741

The late 18th-century Quaker-plan house now serves as the Orange County Visitors Center. The site includes an office used by Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston in April 1865 and an 18th- and 19th-century medicinal and herbal garden.

*Ayr Mount Historic Site - 376 St. Mary’s Road, 732-6886
Guided tours are offered of the 1815 Federal-era plantation house, which has been restored and furnished with period antiques and fine art. The estate includes a one- mile-long Poet’s Walk.

*Occaneechi Indian Village - East Margaret Lane, behind the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, 304-3723. Reconstructed 17th-century Occaneechi village on the banks of the Eno River, near where the tribe had a village 300 years ago.

*Old Orange County Courthouse - The 1844 Greek-revival building was designed and built by local builder John Berry. The courthouse is still in use for county judicial business.

*Orange County Historical Museum - 201 N. Churton St., 732-2201. The museum features the only complete set of colonial weights and measures in the United States, portraits of notable Hillsborough figures and memorabilia from the colonial, antebellum, Civil War and industrialization eras. A second-floor gallery showcases a different local artist each month.

*Hog Day. - Barbecue lovers descend on the town each June for the annual Hog Day.

HILLSBOROUGH'S GOOD LIFE

It has become almost routine for Hillsborough to be praised as a wonderful place to live. Residents' testimonials, articles and various organizations bestow glowing reviews and accolades about living here. With these superlatives publicized for so long, the Research Triangle area's fame as a great place to live has been a magnet attracting people, like you, to explore and relocate.

This sense of the Hillsborough good life is expressed on the website of the Hillsborough/Orange Chamber of Commerce:

"Whether you’re moving to our area, located between the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Triangle and the Greensboro-High Point-Winston-Salem Triad, visiting our many historic sites, or moving your business here, Chamber members are open for business and at your service!

"Much has changed in Hillsborough in the 250 years since its inception. But many things remain the same. Hillsborough is still ideally situated, at the merger of Interstate 85 and Interstate 40, providing easy access to all points in North Carolina. The town that was once the colonial capital of North Carolina is now the county seat of Orange County. During the Revolutionary War, Hillsborough was a political and cultural center in the area and it remains so today, with interesting shops and restaurants and many activities celebrating the arts and history being held almost daily!"

HILLSBOROUGH'S NEIGHBORS

Hillsborough is one of 32 sister communities in the Greater Research Triangle region:

Angier

Apex

Benson

Butner

Carrboro

Cary

Chapel Hill

Clayton

Creedmoor

Durham

Franklinton

Fuquay-Varina

Garner

Henderson

Hillsborough

Holly Springs

Knightdale

Louisburg

Mebane

Morrisville

Oxford

Pittsboro

Raleigh

Rolesville

Roxboro

Selma

Siler City

Smithfield

Wake Forest

Wendell

Youngsville

Zebulon

WHY MOVE TO HILLSBOROUGH?

Hillsborough and her neighboring communities share several common benefits. The first great reason to live in the Greater Research Triangle is a wonderful climate. Spring and summer are filled with a bouquet of blossoms that flood the visual and olfactory senses. Parks and beautiful homes treat citizens and visitors alike with colors as if from the palette of a great landscape painter. The fall blazes with glorious colors so awesome that it almost takes your breath away. The winters are mild, and every now and then, the students get a day off for a light snow. It rarely gets below freezing. How could anyone not like the weather and climate in Hillsborough, North Carolina?

The second reason to live in Hillsborough is that it is a great place to buy a home. Hillsborough real estate is affordable. Newcomers can choose between well- established homes for sale or new homes in outstanding new home communities. You can choose a lot and build a custom home. Simply select a homebuilder from the many in Greater Research Triangle. A qualified REALTOR®, real estate agent, mortgage broker or loan officer can assist in the home purchase process and can guide you through the process of finding and buying real estate in Hillsborough.

Schools are another reason Greater Research Triangle is a wonderful place to live. Oh yeah - families especially love the schools in Hillsborough. In fact, some of the best schools in Greater Research Triangle are found in Hillsborough. Hillsborough is serviced by Orange County Schools, frequently cited for several outstanding programs. Hillsborough schools are considered safe places for students. But there are not only excellent public schools in Hillsborough, but outstanding private schools, as well.

EDUCATION IN HILLSBOROUGH

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

To better help you select the best schools in Hillsborough, North Carolina, read what the Orange County Schools system says on its website:

"The Orange County School district is comprised of thirteen schools: 7 elementary including one year-round school of choice, 3 middle schools, 2 high schools and an alternative school. We pride ourselves on our dedicated, energetic and highly educated professional teaching and support staff. Our curricular and extra-curricular activities promote the academic, physical, emotional and social development of our students.

"Our instructional program is comprised of four 9-week quarters, divided into two 18-week semester blocks at the high school level. During the school year, parents are informed of student progress every nine weeks. All classes and courses follow the North Carolina Standard Course of Study."

PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH A HILLSBOROUGH ADDRESS

Parents want the best school for their children. Schools in Hillsborough belong to the Orange County Schools system. The following public schools are available in Hillsborough:

Elementary Schools in Hillsborough:

Cameron Park Elementary School

Central Elementary School

Grady A. Brown Elementary School

Hillsborough Elementary School

Pathways Elementary School

Middle Schools in Hillsborough:

A.L. Stanback Middle School

C.W. Stanford Middle School

High Schools in Hillsborough:

Cedar Ridge High School Orange High School

CHARTER SCHOOLS IN NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina charter schools are independent public schools that exist to offer Hillsborough students, parents and educators choices in teaching, learning methods and environments. An emphasis is placed on innovation and accountability with improved student achievement the common goal.

There are now nearly 5,000 public charter schools in 39 states and the District of Columbia, educating more than 1.6 million public charter school students. North Carolina public charter schools are intended to improve North Carolina's traditional public school system.

Any Hillsborough charter school, while independently operated, must meet four requirements, like any other North Carolina public school:
*Tuition-free and open to every student who wishes to enroll;
*Non-sectarian, and do not discriminate on any basis;

*Publicly funded by local, state and federal tax dollars like other public schools; *Held accountable to state and federal academic standards.

List of Charter Schools in Hillsborough:

Orange Charter School, grades K-8

PRIVATE SCHOOLS WITH A HILLSBOROUGH ADDRESS

Private schools, also known as independent schools or non-state schools, are not administered by Hillsborough, North Carolina, or the Federal government; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students tuition, rather than relying on public funding. Hillsborough students can get a scholarship into a private school, which makes the cost cheaper, depending on a talent the student may have, such as a sport scholarship, art scholarship, academic scholarship.

List of Private Schools in Hillsborough:

Abundant Life Christian Academy, grades PK-12

Montessori Farm School, grades PK-3

Pinewoods Montessori School, grades PK-1

St. Mary Catholic School, grades PK-8

COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES IN AND NEAR HILLSBOROUGH

Higher education in the Greater Research Triangle region is another great reason to live in Hillsborough, North Carolina. The local colleges and universities contribute more than just classrooms, by also bringing the best in sports and cultural offerings to the Research Triangle communities at large. If your life calls for upper level learning, choose from the following list of universities, colleges and community colleges:

Duke University

Hillsborough Technical Community College

Johnston Community College

Louisburg College

Meredith College

North Carolina Central University

North Carolina State University

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

St. Augustine’s College

Shaw University

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Vance-Granville Community College

Wake Technical Community College

William Peace College

So, whether you are researching the Greater Research Triangle region and getting a feel for living here, or if you are learning about your education options, or if you have definitely decided to purchase a home in Hillsborough, even if only from across town- congratulations, and...

Welcome HERE to Hillsborough, North Carolina