Hamlet has history and a future in AI data
In the late 1800s, Hamlet was home to the Seaboard Airline Railroad, a major transportation route. The railroad’s success drew residents, workers and other businesses to the area. There was an economic downturn when train travel was replaced by highways and planes, but the railroad and Queen Anne train station still operate today. “The train station used to be the main draw, but CSX Transportation sold it, so there aren’t as many people there,” says Jill McLester, broker and owner of Pine & Palm Real Estate Group based in nearby Rockingham. “Amazon just agreed to a $10 billion investment and bought land there for an Amazon Web Services facility. That’s going to benefit Richmond County as a whole.” The new AWS campus is aimed to create around 500 new jobs for the area, and the new offices will expand the Energy Way Industrial Park in Hamlet. While growth is on the horizon, Hamlet’s historic charm attracts residents who want lower housing costs and access to Rockingham.
Older ranch-style and Craftsman homes, with development in the future
Housing prices are about on par with nearby Rockingham, though Hamlet’s median single-family price of almost $183,000 is less than Rockingham’s $208,000. “There are older brick ranch homes, but there’s also a mix of homes in town,” McLester says. Brick ranch-style homes and Craftsman homes with covered porches range from $165,000 to $500,000. Manufactured homes and Bungalows needing renovations have sold for $32,000 to $165,000. McLester says new developments are planned for the future. With Amazon’s new data center bound to draw new residents, more homes may be essential to keep workers nearby.
Taking Route 74 to Rockingham or all the way to Charlotte
Moderate yards extend directly to the sidewalk-free street. Residents park their cars on unpaved driveways or under carports, but some have homes with attached garages. Driving 8 miles to Rockingham takes about 15 minutes when using U.S. Route 74. Hamlet is about halfway between Charlotte and Fayetteville. Route 74 leads almost 80 miles to Charlotte, while Fayetteville is around 60 miles away when taking Route 74 to Interstate 74. Places of worship in town are mainly churches, like First Baptist Church of Hamlet, but there’s also the Islamic Society of the Carolinas masjid. Hamlet Station isn’t nearly as busy as it was in its heyday, but Amtrak trains stop at the station before heading up to Raleigh or down to Savannah, Georgia. The nearest hospital is the FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Rockingham, about 5 miles from Hamlet.
Richmond Early College High students get a degree and diploma
Students in the north half of town are likely zoned for Monroe Avenue Elementary School, which gets a B-minus from Niche, while students in the south half attend Fairview Heights Elementary, rated B-plus. Both schools feed into Hamlet Middle School, rated B-minus. After attending the unrated Richmond County Ninth Grade Academy, kids transfer to Richmond Senior High School, which also receives a B-minus. Students can apply to the A-rated Richmond Early College High School for ninth through 12th grade to earn an associate degree and a high school diploma by graduation.
Lunch at Axe to Grind and dinner at Dine 82
Seaboard Station Restaurant serves a buffet of southern comfort food for lunch in a repurposed Victorian-style home. The locally owned Dine 82 is a dinner spot where visitors can order menu items like prime steak or all-you-can-eat crab legs. Axe to Grind may be known for its pizza and beer, but the restaurant fills during karaoke, trivia and bike nights. Residents can choose between Food Lion and Piggly Wiggly for groceries, but there’s also a Walmart Supercenter and an Aldi up the road. Nearby Rockingham has retail stores, from the Belk in Richmond Plaza to clothing boutiques downtown.
Joining the Seaboard Festival on Main Street every year
Every October, Main Street shuts down to make room for the annual Seaboard Festival. Vendors set up booths along the street to sell handmade items and locally sourced goods, while visitors meander through the streets to shop, see vehicles displayed at the car show or let their kids explore the fun zone. The festival usually kicks off with a 5K run, where the route loops through residential areas and ends on McDonald Street in the historic district. A week later, Main Street becomes Halloween central, with a space for trunk or treating and food trucks.
Fishing, playing and learning in Hamlet's public spaces
Hamlet City Lake is open to fishing, kayaking and paddleboarding, but visitors can also walk the trail near the water or take their kids to the playground. The Hamlet Parks and Recreation department organizes league teams for baseball, soccer, football and basketball, and the teams compete at Hamlet Memorial Park. On Main Street, the Hamlet Public Library organizes craft classes for kids and adults, and the Hamlet Depot & Museums down the road offer free admission to see the interactive displays and train memorabilia that tell the story of Hamlet’s history.
