Page 23 - Robeson Living Fall 2021

The town became a center of higher education beginning with The Robeson Institute, a private academy, was established
the opening in 1896 of the Red Springs Seminary. In 1914 it off Old Stage Road in 1845. By 1850 the area of Old Stage
was renamed Flora MacDonald College in honor of Bonnie Road and Board Street was the business district and in addi-
Prince Charlie’s heroine. In 1899 the North Carolina Military tion the academy was the second building of the Presbyterian
Academy opened and served the male population in the state Church. Development was rounded out with a general store
until 1908. and post office.

Rowland A 1923 newspaper described the town as a “rosebud of na-

The town of Rowland was incorporated in 1889; the year after ture’s beauty with its three cotton mills, flour mill, bank,
the railroad was laid through the area. It was named in hon- newspaper, lumber company, ice company, three doctors,
or of Confederate officer and US Representative Col. Alfred and three lawyers and nice wide streets with plans to pave.”
Rowland who had died in 1898.
The State of Robeson is full of rich history that needs to be
The town’s motto “The town of a thousand friends” comes explored and preserved. I am using Facebook to promote the
from 1940 when the population hit 999. Local historical sites county’s history. I have shared almost 200 articles and trivia
are the McMurray-McKeller Museum housed in the 1890 rail- since February. Please take time to read the articles. I am
road depot, Ashpole Presbyterian Church organized in 1796, always interested in learning more so please contact me with
and Providence A.M.E. Zion Methodist Church founded in your own family stories and photographs.
1885. This area was home to Dr. Robert Adair, author, soldier,
and explorer. His story of his years with the Indians, History Editor’s Note About Author:
of American Indians, a foundational book in American Indian Growing up in North Carolina, Blake Tyner was surrounded
studies, was published in 1775. by history and great Southern cooking, spending countless
hours with his great-grandparents. The busy kitchen and
St. Pauls large family dinners gave a perfect settling for hearing about
the people of the past. As he learned the history of the area
The Town of St. Pauls was incorporated in 1909 with the busi- and her citizens, he developed a craving to bring the people
ness district being located on Board Street, centered on the of the past alive and share their stories.
newly installed rails of the Virginia Carolina Southern Rail-
road. The community dated back to 1799 with the founding of He has published four books as well as numerous articles in
the St. Pauls Presbyterian Church. The Church was an anchor regional newspapers and magazines. He served as Executive
point for future highways and development. North Highway Director of the Maxton Historical Society and the Robeson
301 and Interstate 95 were routed by the church inspired town. County History Museum. More of his writings and projects
In addition to the church there was also the post office, a livery can be found at blaketyner.com and on Facebook at Blake
stable and stagecoach stop.
Tyner Historian.

Aerial view of St Pauls

Robeson Living ~ Fall 2021 Page 23