Southern Pines
Population: 11,556 (2004 estimate)
Government: Council/Manager
Phone: (910)692-7021
Address: 125 SE Broad St. 28387

In the 1850's, Charles Shaw acquired a state land grant in southern Moore County.  It included a high ridge where he began cutting pines.
In 1867, the Raleigh Augusta Railroad came through.  Most of the trees were gone a few years later when John T. Patrick purchased 675 acres of land for $1,265.00 to build a health resort.  He named the streets after Northern states.
Southern Pines proved to be an ideal place for travel-weary train passengers to break their journey down from the north to Florida.  By 1887 Southern Pines was a thriving resort.
After World War I, novelest and publisher James Boyd imitiated the equestrian and literary pursuits that remain as a big factor to this day.
Southern Pines is the largest town in the county.