Pinehurst History and Area and Information

Pinehurst History www.co.moore.nc.us

Scottish immigrants began farming the area now known as Southern Pines, Pinehurst and Aberdeen in the early 1800's.  As a result of the abundant pine forests, the area flourished as a resource for the tar, turpentine and timber industries much needed by the rapidly developing Northern cities.  As a result of the flourishing timber related businesses, a lucrative railroad station was developed in Aberdeen in the 1850's.

In 1885 James Walker Tufts, a wealthy Boston philanthropist, came to the Sandhills area because the mild climate was ideal for his ailing health.  Shortly after arriving in Southern Pines, Tufts purchased a 5,800 acres tract of land that today encompasses much of the area currently known as Pinehurst.  Tuft had a plan for developing the area as a year round retreat for North Easterners to relax and get away from the hurried atmosphere and cold climate found in the northern cities.  Although first named Tuftstown, the town was later renamed Pinehurst, a name submitted for a contest to name a real estate development in Tuft's summer retreat on Martha's Vineyard. 

Tufts hired Frederick Olmstead, architect of New York City's Central Park and the grounds for the U.S. Capitol Building, to design a New England type atmosphere in the Village of Pinehurst.  The village, which today still has many of the original homes, was developed as a park-type setting with curving streets shaded by thousands of imported semi-tropical trees.  Although tennis, croquet and archery were the original Pinehurst sports of choice, the temperate climate quickly made it a getaway as year-round golf retreat.

To help develop Pinehurst as a golf resort, Tufts hired Donald Ross, a Scottish golfer and golf course architect, to design golf courses and run the golf operations.  Ross designed several local courses in the Pinehurst area including the world ranked Pinehurst #2 course, host of the 1999 and 2005 US Opens and Pine Needles, host of several past ladies US Opens.  In addition to designing Pinehurst 1-5, Ross designed over 400 top golf courses worldwide.  The Ross home, located off the 3rd hole of Pinehurst #2, and the Pinecrest Inn that was owned and operated by Donald Ross, are both Pinehurst landmarks.  Today Pinehurst is nationally rated as a premier golf resort offering public access to several of the top rated courses in the Carolinas.

In addition to Pinehurst #1-8 resort courses, the area boasts over 50 additional golf courses, making it one of the highest-density golf areas in the world.  Pinehurst is often referred to as the "Golf Capital of the World" and is listed in several golf magazines as the best golf related area to live or visit in the U.S.  In 1996 the Village of Pinehurst was designated National Landmark status for its historical significance in U.S. golf history.  This is the only golf-related designation of its kind in the United States. 

The year-round mild climate also opens the door to many other activities including equestrian events (the Pinehurst area is the home of five past Olympic equestrian champions), tennis (several amateur tennis tournaments are held on the Pinehurst courts), croquet and lawn bowling (several national champions are members of the Pinehurst clubs), biking (the Aberdeen Area is used to train and qualify Olympic bicycle teams), water sports, fishing, hiking and much more.  The wide variety of area shops, restaurants and ideal meeting facilities all create the perfect setting for business or pleasure.                   

Area Weather (five-day forecast)  www.cnn.com/weather, www.theweatherstop.com

The area's climate, which is milder and drier year-round than the surrounding areas, is a result of its unique combination of sandy soil, its elevation (600 feet above sea level at some points) and its protection by the Appalachian Mountains.  Although Pinehurst offers a four-season climate, the mild winters generally allow for relaxing rounds of golf throughout most of the winter season.  The annual snowfall averages about 4 inches per year and the snow usually lasts less than two to three days.  

The following table provides an indication of the weather encountered in the Pinehurst area.  In comparing Pinehurst's climate with that found in several Northern cities, you will find that the number of days above 90�F during the summer months are similar to those found in northern cities like Philadelphia and Chicago while the winter months average about 10-15� F warmer.  

                                    Temperature, �F      

   Mean   Mean   Mean Snowfall Humidity

Average   High     Low  Inches @ 1:30 p.m.

January        44        55        34       1.0   52%

February      46        57        34       1.3   49%

March        52        66        40       0.8   46%

April 62        74        48          0   44%

May 70        82        56          0   48%

June 75        89        64          0   49%

July  79        91        68          0   52%

August        78        89        67          0   54%

September   72        84        63          0   54%

October       62        75        50          0   46%

November   52        64        40          0   50%

December   44        55        34       1.2   47%

Year      61.6      73.4      49.5    4.3      50%

Local Communities

Population (2000)

County                           74,769               

Aberdeen              3,578                           Carthage               2,114                 

Foxfire                     486                           Pinebluff                1,139                 

Pinehurst               9,948                           Robbins                1,226                 

Seven Lakes         2,888                           Southern Pines                           11,187               

Taylortown               864                           Whispering Pines    2,147                                            

Horse Country             

Since the early 1900's, horse farming has been an active lifestyle throughout Moore County.  The mild climate, since there are very few days when the ground is frozen, and a plentiful supply of great horse land have been the biggest factors that attract horse enthusiasts from all over the U.S.

While the area adjoining the 4500 acre Walthour-Moss Foundation, extending along Youngs Road, is the traditional Sandhills Horse Country, the horse community has expanded to other areas including Carthage, Cameron, Pinehurst, Vass and West End.  Although the Southern Pines area is rich in million dollar plus estate farms, there is plenty of room for the moderate horse enthusiast.  Several horse farms offer boarding, breeding and training facilities.  The area is steeped in tradition with several past Olympic Champions, Pan Am medallists, respected judges, and trainers located throughout the horse farm community.  There are horse-related shows and exhibitions almost every week in the year.  Dates for horse-related activities can be obtained by contacting the local Chamber of Commerce.

Dale Heck is an experienced professional Realtor� serving buyers and sellers of residential real estate in Moore County North Carolina. Some of the communities served by Dale include Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Seven Lakes, Whispering Pines and Aberdeen. To learn more about Dale, take a look at his websites, http://www.pinehurstrealestatenc.com, http://www.pinehurstluxuryhomesnc.com, http://www.fortbragghomesnc.com, http://www.southernpineshorsefarmsncnc.com     where you will find additional articles, and current MLS listings.