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Origins of Cities, Towns and Communities in Alamance County
Altamahaw
Founded about 1860 with the establishment of a cotton gin her (by John Q. Gant). Name of Indian origin, meaning unknown. The community of Ossipee lies directly south.
Elon
Formerly known as Mill Point for a freight depot for shipping mill products manufactured nearby. Elon University, a four-year coeducational institution, opened here in 1890. Its name comes from the Hebrew word for oak and was selected because of the large oak trees at the site. Incorporated 1893.
Gibsonville
Named for Joseph Gibson (1785-1857), local land slave owner who also was active in contracting and grading for the North Carolina Rail Road. A station established about a mile north of his home was named for him and became the town. Established in 1855 and incorporated 1971.
Glen Raven
Named by John Q. Gant who established first mill (by the same name) at the site. He first chose Glendale, but the name was rejected because it was already a post office name in the State. He kept the ‘Glen’, however and added Raven because of his fondness for hunting crows.
Graham
Laid out in 1849 at the formation of the county to serve as county seat. Incorporated 1851. Named for William A Graham, governor, 1845-1849. In the act providing for the town it was the first named Gallatin, the Montgomery, Berry, and finally Graham as chosen by Representative Giles Mebane who introduced the bill to create Alamance County.
Haw River
Founded by descendents of Adam Trollinger, a German immigrant who settled here in 1747. His son, Jacob, built a gristmill at the site and for many years it was known as Trollinger’s Crossing or Ford.
Mebane
Settled about 1854 and named for a local family. Incorporated 1880 as Mebansville; named changed 1883.
Saxapahaw
Named for the Sissipahaw Indians who once lived in the area.
Snow Camp ~ Dixon’s Mill here dates from 1753. Legend says the name Snow Camp was given the to the community by Cornwallis’ soldiers who camped here after the Battle of Guilford Courthouse during a heavy snow.
Swepsonville
Named for George W. Swepson (1811-1883) who built a cotton mill here in 1868. Incorporated in 1887, but charter repealed in 1901.
- William S. Powell, North Carolina Gazetteer
Alamance News, “A Newcomers Guide to Alamance County” July 2002
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