Small-town charm, antiquing and new development in Cameron, North Carolina
Once known as the “dewberry capital of the world” for its production of the now uncommon cousin of raspberries, Cameron, North Carolina, is a very small town of only a few hundred people. It lies along U.S. Highway 1 between Sanford and Fayetteville. While the town center is known for antique shops and fairs, the surrounding area is developing and growing. “You have the old Cameron,” says Misty Lyons, a Realtor and owner of Lyons Group with eXp Realty. “But now there’s a new part. I’m talking Starbucks, all of that.” Part of this growth is due to the proximity of Fort Bragg, near Fayetteville. “There’s a draw to the new developments around Cameron, especially for service members,” Lyons says.
A mix of old and new home styles among fields and woods
The central town area encompasses North Carolina Route 27 and the surrounding blocks, but new developments now carry Cameron addresses, including as far south as Lake Surf. Small older homes or fixer-uppers cost between $80,000 and $260,000. Homes in new developments and fully remodeled homes can cost between $340,000 and $800,000. The overall median here is about $355,000, a little lower than the national median. In the town center, homes sit on wide lots with well-kept grassy lawns and tall pines providing atmosphere and shade. Farms and densely wooded areas also contribute to the atmosphere of the area.
Moore County Schools include Cameron Elementary and Union Pines High
Students in Cameron can attend Moore County Schools, which Niche rates a B-plus and ranks as the 34th best district in the state. Cameron Elementary earns a B-minus. After elementary school, students can attend either Crain’s Creek Middle School, which scores a B, or New Century Middle School, which scores a B-plus. Union Pines High School earns a B. In addition to an Academically and Intellectually Gifted Program and AP courses, Union Pines has robust offerings in career and technical education via its Career Clusters pathways.
A short commute to Fort Bragg and about an hour to Raleigh
Commuting to Fort Bragg via North Carolina Route 87 is a draw for this area, according to Lyons. “87 leads to Manchester Road, which is the first road to get on base. So it’s a very short commute,” Lyons says. Fort Bragg is about 26 miles south, outside Fayetteville. U.S. Route 1 passes east of Cameron and runs north to Sanford, about 15 miles away, and Raleigh, about 55 miles away. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is about 55 miles away. Central Carolina Hospital is 13 miles away at the edge of Sanford.
Antique shops, a cidery and new amenities nearby
Antiquing is a significant draw in Cameron, with shops lining the small downtown. These include Ann’s Antiques, Now and Then Antiques and Old Hardware Vintage Depot. Dewberry Café serves sandwiches, burgers, steaks, salads and drinks from its location on Carthage Street. James Creek Cider House is under a mile away, up U.S. Route 1 Business, serving ciders made with North Carolina-grown apples, including those from their own orchard. The surrounding development has brought more shopping and chain restaurants to the area along North Carolina Route 87. “Old Cameron has the old downtown,” Lyons says. “In these new areas, there’s a Walmart, a Starbucks.” The closest supermarket, Piggly-Wiggly, is about 6 miles south on Highway 1.
Seasonal antique fairs, a coming market and more
Cameron hosts the Antique Street Fair in spring and fall each year. Each fair brings over 100 antique vendors to the downtown area, plus food trucks. According to the December issue of the Cameron Connection newsletter, the town will be starting a farmers market soon as well. There's the annual Christmas parade in December, while James Creek Cider House hosts food trucks and music throughout the year.
Phillips Memorial Park, a National Forest and rescued animals
Phillips Memorial Park's 26 acres include trails, a fishing pond, open space, picnic areas and play equipment. Antique Town Campground is an RV park under 2 miles from town. About 42 miles away, Uwharrie National Forest offers over 50,000 acres of wilderness to explore, with options for climbing, camping, biking and hiking. A different sort of wild adventure can be enjoyed at Aloha Safari Park, home to a range of animals, many of whom have been rescued.
