History of Yanceyville, NC

When Caswell County was carved from Orange County in 1777 it was much larger than the present county, and the county seat was established in Leasburg. However, fifteen years later when Person County was created from the eastern half of Caswell County; Leasburg no longer was at the geographic center of Caswell County. As a matter of fact, Leasburg was almost in Person County. Therefore, in 1792 surveyors found the geographic center of the newly reduced Caswell County and purchased land for the new county seat, which became Yanceyville. From 1792 until 1833 the village was called Caswell Court House. Construction of the first courthouse was completed in 1794, and the new county seat was open for business.
The land for the new town was purchased from James Ingram, but most of the property in Caswell Court House was soon owned by the Graves family; and it was not until the 1830s that they would part with any significant portion of it. In 1810, the little town had two taverns, one store, one hattery, and about fifteen houses. Soon after that, blacksmiths, coachmakers, wheelwrights, silversmiths, and other tradesmen opened businesses. Doctors, lawyers, preachers, and various politicians also were attracted to the area as it began to grow.

The next major events occurred in the 1830s with the construction of another court house (this one brick) and the incorporation of the old village of Caswell Court House as the new town of Yanceyville. Oddly enough, the shape of the town was a circle. It was a round town.

A few believe the name honored the entire Yancey family, long prominent in the area. While we may never know for sure, William S. Powell, who wrote the history of Caswell County to commemorate the county's bicentennial in 1977, believes the preponderance of the evidence supports Bartlett Yancey, Jr. The evidence and arguments that Powell advances are persuasive. Accordingly, like Powell concluded, until better evidence comes along, we will agree that Yanceyville indeed was named for Bartlett Yancey, Jr.
It was during a roughly thirty-year boom period (1830s-1861) that the imposing houses of Yanceyville were constructed, which included among others Jeremiah Graves's Dongola, Thomas D. Johnston's Clarendon Hall, Paul Haralson House, Graves-Florance-Gatewood House, Kerr Hotel and Dr. Allen Gunn House.
Similar imposing structures were built throughout the county during this period of substantial growth. In Yanceyville, this architectural display of wealth concluded with the magnificent Caswell County Courthouse, which was completed in 1861 and remains standing today.

Yanceyville has been somewhat erratic in its approach to incorporation. The North Carolina Legislature authorized Yanceyville as an incorporated town in 1833. However, this seems to have been forgotten because authorization was obtained again in 1877. A similar act was passed in 1885, but why it was needed remains a mystery. Thus, by 1885, the state legislature had three times authorized the incorporation of the municipality of Yanceyville. Accordingly, in 1885, the corporate existence of Yanceyville would seem certain. However, this was not the case. In 1899 the law authorizing incorporation of Yanceyville was repealed. But, in 1905, Yanceyville was again incorporated. But, hold on. In 1915, the charter again was repealed. As far as can be determined, Yanceyville remained an unincorporated village until the latest attempt at reorganization in 1986. That attempt was successful and, possibly, this last reorganization will be more permanent.

The fifty years that followed Reconstruction (1870-1920) saw railroads built throughout the state and attempts to direct them through Yanceyville failed. The economy remained based upon agriculture, predominantly tobacco, which flourished.

From there, the economic climate began a bit of diversification. Tobacco remained the primary crop yet in town The Caswell Messenger began publication in 1926 and continues to be read today. That same year saw the creation in Yanceyville of the Caswell County Chamber of Commerce. The Yanceyville Telephone Company began operation. The County Home for the poor was constructed near Yanceyville on what now is known as the County Home Road. In 1939 the Caswell Knitting Mill opened in Yanceyville, a precursor to the other textile mills to follow, which helped to broaden the town's economic base.

Moving into the next century the tobacco industry began to erode and in the late 1990’s the master tobacco settlement in US courts with 46 states including North Carolina, caused the economic engine of the community and Yanceyville to slow. A limited number of tobacco farms remain but the agriculture based economy continued to thrive yet on a much smaller scale as farmers diversified into other types of farming.

Today the town Is experiencing new growth as the areas around the community are expanding. To the south, the Research Triangle Park continues to impact the southern area of Caswell and to the north, Danville, VA is welcoming a large new Caesar’s casino facility. Yanceyville is poised to continue to be a charming home for its citizens and is happy to welcome a place for those seeking a great place to live, work or begin a business.

Information provided in part by the Caswell County Historical Association