State

Catawba’s They all Share in Industry. Busy Towns Hickory The most important stage coach stop in old Catawba was that of John Brad- bum’s Tavern (licensed in 1786). first known as Hickory Tavern. For nearly 100 years the site contained little else, but when the railway came through, just before the Civil War. Hickory Tavern became the nucleus of a settle¬ ment. After the war. both homefolks and newcomers established a wide variety of enterprises at Hickory, and within two decades it had become the busiest town between Salisbury and Asheville. It first was incorporated in 1870 as Hickory Tavern. The 1950 population was 14,755, 7 percent non- white. In the old days, Hickory was an outpost for mountain trade, all brought in wagons. Commodities were apples, cabbage, potatoes, chestnuts, dried fruit, beef, feathers, cheese, hide, gin¬ seng. Distilleries were early industries, then tobacco manufacturing. Modem Hickory is one of the in¬ dustrial centers of the state, with a wide variety of manufactories (mostly textiles and furniture) and other enter¬ prises. It is also a center for banking, trade, education and religion, the ac¬ knowledged center of Lutheranism and seat of Lenoir Rhyne, a four-year co¬ educational college. It has its own school system rted by the state and by a supple¬ mentary local tax. The city is progres¬ sive in many other directions. It was the first North Carolina town to have a city manager. It has an outstanding recreation program which includes recreation centers for both white and rolorcd, with investments totaling over >1,000,000. The Hickory’ center in- dudes a large gym. game room, kitchen, lining room, swimming pool, zoo, pic- lic areas and other facilities. An annual umiturc show is held here. In Ridge- dew, a Negro subdivision, is a match- ng center. Hickory has an abundant water sup- i >ly from the Catawba River, has two tospitals, daily newspaper, 2 radio sta- ■ions, natural gas, Duke Power, two railways. Piedmont Airline transporta- ГНЕ STATE. APRIL IS. 1959 tion, two golf courses, hotels, motels, a line public library, art museum and 41 churches. Tax rate is $ 1 .55 plus 27 cents school tax. New lon-Conover "N-C” is a big abbreviation in North Carolina but N-C. N. C. nowadays means Newton-Conover, North Caro¬ lina. The twin towns arc not legally one municipality. But they are only three miles apart and the country between is rapidly being urbanized. Their school systems arc consolidated in one unit, and several civic clubs and other or¬ ganizations such as the chamber of commerce, serve both communities. There is a good scouting program. In 1S43 Newton was created as seat Concrete Material and Supply, Inc. "QUALITY READY-MIXED CONCRETE WHEN YOU W ANT IT” Hickory, North Carolina Plant Location: North Hickory. N. С. P. O. Box 400 ‘'Your Independent Agent Serves You First ” R. A. TUNSTALL INSURANCE AGENCY All Forms of Insurance Phones: Located Office— DA 7-6526 Across From Lutz Drug Store, next to Residence— DA 7-3536 old First National Bank Building. HICKORY. NORTH CAROLINA Welcome To Friendly CATAWBA, N. C. • A Good Place lo Live • A Good Place lo Trade • A Good Place for Industrial Expansion If you're looking for a pleasant place to live, or a favorable site for your new or expanding industry, don’t overlook CATAWBA, N. C. ... a town where friendly neighbors give a definite boost to your success. You'll find a real advantage in Catawba’s plentiful, dependable labor supply . . . agricultural and forest resources . . . and excellent sites, served by rail and highway transportation: and the great Catawba River borders the town. Catawba affords its own electric facilities, water and sewerage systems, streets 9(K< paved, modern shopping district, volunteer fire department, and municipal building. Sound Fiscal condition. Tax Rale 85c, Lowest in the County BY ALL MEANS, INVESTIGATE CATAWBA— Address: The Mayor. The Town of Catawba North Carolina 21