GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2009

RATIFIED BILL

RESOLUTION 2009-8

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 233

A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the founders of the town of wake forest while celebrating the town's one HUNDREDTH anniversary.

Whereas, the Town of Wake Forest, located in northern Wake County, has a rich history that began in 1832, when the North Carolina Baptist Convention purchased a 615‑acre plantation from Dr. Calvin Jones near the Forestville community to establish a school to train future ministers; and

Whereas, the school opened as Wake Forest Institute in 1834 and after a number of successful years became Wake Forest College; and

Whereas, the trustees of the College helped to attract new residents and businesses to the area when they sold a portion of the College's land and had the Forestville railroad depot moved closer to the campus; and

Whereas, some of the early businesses in the area included W.W. Holding and Company, cotton merchants; Wake Forest Supply Company, which later became Jones Hardware; the Bolus Department Store; the Wilkinson General Store; Dickson Brothers Dry Goods; Brewer & Sons Feed and Grocery Store; and Keith's Grocery Store; and

Whereas, in 1880 the area was incorporated as the Town of Wake Forest College; and

Whereas, in 1899 W.C. Powell, R.E. Royall, and T.E. Holding built the Town's first industry, Royall Cotton Mill, which produced muslin sheeting from local cotton; and

Whereas, the Town of Wake Forest was reincorporated by the General Assembly on February 20, 1909; and

Whereas, the 1909 Wake Forest charter provided that the Town's officers were S. J. Allen as Mayor and C. E. Brewer, Z. V. Peed, O. K. Holding, F. W. Dickson, and C. E. Gill as Commissioners; and

Whereas, during the first half of the 20^th century, the Town of Wake Forest continued to flourish, contributing to the social, cultural, political, and economic prosperity of the State of North Carolina; and

Whereas, during the 1950s, Wake Forest College moved to Winton‑Salem and U.S. 1 was relocated to the west of town, but the Town of Wake Forest was able to attract new businesses and the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; and

Whereas, the Town of Wake Forest continues to grow, improve, and prosper through the continued dedication, insight, and planning of concerned leaders and citizens; and

Whereas, the Town of Wake Forest has a current population of over 26,000 people; and

Whereas, the Town of Wake Forest will be celebrating its centennial anniversary throughout 2009 with a number of public celebrations; and

Whereas, this occasion is worthy of recognition and should be enjoyed and supported by all North Carolinians; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the founders of the Town of Wake Forest for their contributions to the Town.

SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its sincere congratulations and best wishes to the Town of Wake Forest on the Town's 100th anniversary.

SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Mayor of the Town of Wake Forest.

SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 6^th day of April, 2009.

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                                                                         Walter H. Dalton

                                                                         President of the Senate

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                                                                         Joe Hackney

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives