Small-town living in Carthage, North Carolina's former "Buggy Town"
Carthage, the seat of Moore County, was a buggy-manufacturing hub from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century. "The way Detroit built cars for our nation, Carthage built buggies," says Tim Venjohn, Moore County resident since 1989 and broker/owner at Rhodes & Co. Real Estate in Southern Pines. The town still has remnants of its past. For instance, the Tyson & Jones Buggy Company building downtown is now The Buggy Factory brewery, and the Carthage Buggy Festival is an annual tradition. This small town continues to see growth and attracts residents for its community feel 35 miles from Fort Bragg and 60 miles from Raleigh. "It's the place where the teachers can afford to live here, the police officers can afford to live here. It's not necessarily where you find the million-dollar houses," Venjohn says.
A mix of farmland, older homes and newer subdivisions
Ranch-style homes and cottages built throughout the 20th century often sell for between $150,000 and $350,000 in Carthage. New Traditional homes built in recent years usually go for between $300,000 and $740,000, though a handful of larger homes on several acres of land go for higher. "Over the last 10 years, new subdivisions have been popping up, and there's even more popping up. There's a lot of growth happening in Carthage," Venjohn says. Carthage has a CAP Index Crime score of 2, lower than the national average of 4.
Barbecue on an airstrip at the Pik N Pig, and more downtown
The Pik N Pig serves plates of brisket, pulled pork and fried chicken with Southern sides like baked beans, hushpuppies and Brunswick stew. Diners save room for the restaurant's signature desserts, the "Nanner Pudddin" and Pepsi-Cola Cake. "People will order their Coca-Cola cake first, because they run out," Venjohn says. While enjoying their food, visitors can watch the adjacent airfield. "People will literally just fly in, have dinner, and fly out. The same way motorcycle groups will come out, airplane groups will do this. You can sit out on the patio, and all of a sudden, all these planes will come in, land, park, walk over and eat," Venjohn says.
Downtown Carthage has more dining and shopping options. Buggy Town Coffee has specialty drinks and sandwiches, while the longstanding Pete's Family Restaurant has breakfast platters and Southern comfort food in its diner-style spot. Several boutiques line McReynolds Street, while Carthage Farm Supply and Food Lion have basics down the road.
Fun at the Buggy Festival and county fair
The annual Carthage Buggy Festival commemorates the community's history. This event is held each year on Mother's Day weekend and welcomes tens of thousands of guests and locals. Festivities include a classic car and truck show, Antiques Roadshow-inspired appraisals, vendors, and activities like axe throwing and mechanical bull riding. Carthage also hosts the Moore County Agricultural Fair in October. Families come out to enjoy carnival rides, livestock exhibitions and games. "It's a very community feeling to go to the fair. Even if you don't know anybody, you feel like everyone knows each other there," Venjohn says.
Career pathways at Moore County schools
Students in the area may begin at Carthage Elementary School or Sandhills Farm Life Elementary School. Both these schools have B-plus ratings from Niche. Children continue to B-plus-rated New Century Middle School and B-rated Union Pines High School. The high school offers Career and Technical Education courses in subjects including marketing, health science, agriculture, and architecture & construction. CTE students can also earn industry credentials in skills like personal finance, veterinary assisting, horticulture, automotive service and Adobe Design products. Private options in Carthage include Sowing Seeds Academy, teaching pre-K through grade three, and Fellowship Christian Academy, teaching pre-K through grade eight. Neither of these schools are rated by Niche.
Several parks in town, and golf courses nearby
At the center of town, Nancy Kiser Park has basketball and pickleball courts, a playground and a baseball field. Also near downtown, Lake Luke Marion has a walking trail along the water and a fishing pier. Hillcrest Park & Moore County Sports Complex has more athletic fields and courts nearby, as well as an accessible playground and a splash pad for cooling off during the summer. Although Carthage doesn't have its own golf course, the Pinehurst area has several dozen options to choose from. One nearby option is the Country Club of Whispering Pines, a semi-private club with two 18-hole courses.
Getting to Raleigh and Fayetteville
Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina, is about 60 miles northeast of Carthage, and Fayetteville is about 45 miles southeast. Fayetteville and the Raleigh area also both have commercial airports. Fort Bragg, the major Army base bordering Fayetteville, is about 35 miles away. Commuters can drive to the base in less than an hour on North Carolina Highway 24.
Written By
Faith Wakefield
