The Town of Chapel Hill

continued

Chapel Hill grew slowly over the next few decades, adding boarding houses and more stores to cater to the growing university. The town incorporated in 1851, but hard times followed. The Civil War, Reconstruction and the 1871-1875 closure of the University left the town delapidated and partially deserted. The 1869 population, equally divided between whites and blacks, grew very slowly. In the next 40 years, 1869 to 1910, the population grew by only 1000 people, to a total of 1951.

In 1882 a railroad branch with a depot opened in present-day Carrboro, providing a convenient link with the outside world. A gradual economic recovery swelled the population to 3,000 by 1920. The general prosperity of the 1920s brought other changes: substantial houses were finally built and the first suburbs took form on the village fringes.

Workers started paving streets and dammed Morgan Creek to provide a reliable water supply. The University owned and operated water, telephone, electricity and laundry services. In 1923, the Chapel Hill Weekly began delivering news to the town.

Chapel Hill struggled through the Depression, although federal funds paid for many new University facilities and provided neede jobs. The World War II years saw few changes other than belt tightening caused by war rationing. In 1950, Chapel Hill was home to just 9100 people and maintained a small town atmosphere.

Beginning in 1960, accelerated University growth brought suburban expansion and annexation, enlarging the town's boundaries. With the growth came social change: school desegregation and the election of the first black mayor in the South. The University-owned utilities were privatized and municipal bus service began. The population grew to 32,000 by 1990, spurred by the expanded University Hospital and medical services, employment growth in RTP, and the arrival of a large number of retirees. The increased growth brought traffic problems, parking problems and increased property values.

With a rapidly growing population of 50,000 today, Chapel Hill faces the challenge of balancing relentless urban growth with the appearance and lifestyle that have made it one of the most attractive college towns in America.