Granville County observes its 275th anniversary in 2021 and part of the celebration includes the publication of a coffee table commemorative book for sale to the public.
The county’s 275th anniversary planning committee contracted with local author Lewis Bowling to compile information to showcase the history and development of this area. Pre-sale orders are being taken through April 30, said county public information officer Lynn Allred. The price is $49.95, but all pre-sales get a $5 discount.
“I have been gathering new material and have had a good response from folks willing to share their photos and their stories with me,” Bowling said. “I appreciate the community’s help and support.”
Bowling’s book, scheduled for publication by July, will follow Granville County’s journey from its founding until present day, and includes a narrative and photos not yet seen by the public.
Lewis Bowling
Established by an act of the General Assembly of the Colony of North Carolina in 1746, Granville was formed from a portion of Edgecombe County in the northernmost part of the province. Since there was no western border, the County of Granville extended all the way to the Mississippi River. The first settlers here were attracted to the area by the availability of land at a fair price. An early trading path helped make Granville one of the gateways across the Virginia border, according to the press release from the county.
“In all of our 275 years, there has not been a comprehensive book written about Granville County that could serve as a stand-alone work like this,” said the Thornton Library’s North Carolina Room Specialist Mark Pace.
Bowling has already published several books that feature the history of the area, including commemorative works for the City of Oxford’s bicentennial celebration in 2016 and for Camp Butner’s 75th anniversary in 2017.
Order forms are available online at www.granvillecounty.org/275th or through the Granville County Government Administration Office at 141 Williamsboro Street in Oxford. Contact Patrice Wilkerson at 919-603-1308 or at patrice.wilkerson@granvillecounty.org for more details.