History and Townships of Randolph County

Randolph County was formed in 1779 from Guilford. It was named in honor of Peyton Randolph of Virginia, who was president of the Continental Congress. It is in the central section of the State and is bounded by Chatham, Moore, Montgomery, Davidson, Guilford and Alamance counties. The act establishing the county authorized the first court and all subsequent courts to be held at the home of Abraham Reese unless otherwise decided upon by the justices of the peace until a courthouse could be built. Commissioners were named in 1783 to select a site for the county seat. In 1788 a town was established at the courthouse on the land of Thomas Dauggan. This town, was named Johnstonville in honor of Samuel Johnston. In 1796 Asheborough was established as the county seat on the land of Jesse Henley. In 1819 a new courthouse was authorized to be built in Asheborough. Asheboro (607410E 3952092N) is the county seat. Randolph County is a part of the largest metropolitan area located entirely within North Carolina Its present land area is 787.36 square miles and its population in 2002 was 134,217 ( Est.) There are ten individually listed National Register properties.They include the Deep River-Columbia Manufacturing Company in Ramseur, the Pisgah Covered Bridge, and three archaeological sites. There also are two districts listed in the National Register in Coleridge and Franklinville. A 1997 state grant is assisting preparation of a National Register nomination for the Liberty Historic District. Randolph County has 20 townships or subdivisions. Trinity is the largest township in terms of population: 23,838.Randolph County is home to the North Carolina State Zoological Park, destined to become the world's largest natural habitat zoo, the Uwharrie National Forest, the Richard Petty Museum, home of NASCAR's all-time career victory leader, and the Seagrove area potteries, which enjoy an international reputation for exceptional hand thrown pottery.[SOURCES: US Census 2000, The North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office , State Library of North Carolina ]

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