NCPedia's Early Settlement article provides valuable context for understanding North Carolina's colonial growth. The colorful map below illustrates the frontier development from 1657-1835. The article explores the finer points that spurred that development, including the massive and rapid growth that occured after King George took NC lands back from the Lords Proprietors in 1729. Discover why this created a boom that lasted until the Revolution era.  Image source - NCpedia The article shares two other maps that provide background for understanding early settlement and migration trends. A trail map traces not only the Great Wagon Road, but also migration routes from coastal ports. It highlights which groups tended to take each path. The associated text emphasizes how the Piedmont and coastal areas were essentially cut off from each other. By the mid 1700s, the Piedmont settlers had more trade and communication with Philadelphia and their South Carolina neighbors than the coasta...

Shared by WCGS member and former webmaster - Cynthia Gage Cynthia found this collection when she was searching for something else. I am so glad she shared it with me. Who can resist old yearbooks?  The collection includes Wake County high school and junior high books from a time span of 1909 to 2009. Cynthia also mentions that she found some reunion booklets, university catalogs and  Elizabeth Murray Reid's Wake History Book through this link . The collection is digitized and offered online by Olivia Raney Local History Library. What fun to be able to find your parent or grandparents in these pages. Maybe you will find your own photo or that of a cherished friend. Bonus gold is lurking in the ads that were included. Looking for a small family business? You may find evidence of it this way.  Enjoy these delightful images from the 1913 Raleigh High School Rattler !  Are you from elsewhere in North Carolina, but still curious about your relative's school history? Visit ...