ANSON COUNTY
County Offices
101 South Greene Street
Wadesboro 704-994-3201
http://www.co.anson.nc.us/
Chamber of Commerce
107-A East Wade Street
Wadesboro 704-694-4181
http://ansoncountychamber.org/
Services
Located east of Union County and approximately 45 miles from Charlotte, the rural expanse of Anson County is still largely dependent on agricultural activity. This area is also home to several thriving industrial and manufacturing firms, including those for home furnishings, lumber products, metalworking, and cement or concrete products. Residents of this sparsely populated area can access quality healthcare close to home through the state-of-the-art facilities and services of the Carolinas Healthcare System. Anson Community Hospital and Skilled Nursing Facility in Wadesboro provides a wide range of medical services and surgical specialties, including laparoscopic techniques and other advanced procedures. Throughout the Metropolitan Charlotte region, a comprehensive network of supportive facilities and centers offer everything from hospice and rehabilitation to long-term care.
Anson County’s quality public school system features either new or significantly updated and renovated facilities where technology plays a major role in preparing tomorrow’s leaders. Students of all ages will find opportunities for career and vocational training as well as certification and degree programs at South Piedmont Community College. With locations in Polkton, Wadesboro, and two in Monroe, SPCC is easily accessible to residents of Anson and Union counties. The Small Business Center Network is one of the largest state-sponsored assistance programs of its type in the nation, and students now have the advantage of the recently opened 42,427-square-foot Technical Education/Learning Resources Center in Monroe. Throughout the metropolitan area, private colleges and public universities offer an array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies.
Lifestyle
Panoramic Anson County provides all the serenity, friendliness, and slower pace of a home in the country with easy access to one of the nation’s most popular and vibrant cities. The county’s ideal location near the center of North Carolina ensures a quick trip to regional attractions. Some of the possibilities within an hour’s drive from home include a medley of recreational, cultural, and sporting diversions like golfing, NASCAR racing, fine museums, professional and collegiate sports, and water sports on lakes and rivers. Even the majestic North Carolina mountains and its sun-drenched beaches are less than a three-hour drive from Anson County.
Local celebrations and festivals are an enjoyable part of life in Anson County, home of the People Fest County Fair for more than two decades. Downtown Wadesboro closes to vehicles for this outdoor extravaganza that draws as many as 20,000 visitors to fine art and crafts displays, great food, live music, entertainment, children’s activities, and eclectic exhibits. The Arts & Heritage Festival held in Wadesboro and Polkton is another popular event that showcases the work of local and regional artists.
Nature enthusiasts will want to explore Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, with trails for hiking, auto touring routes, fishing, observation tours, photography opportunities, seasonal hunting, fishing, and bird watching. Anson County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the region’s heritage, including collections of farming and carpentry artifacts along with historic sites such as the Sneedsborough cemetery. Newcomers to Anson County will find a truly peaceful, family-oriented haven surrounded by cosmopolitan excitement, racing thrills, and North Carolina’s unsurpassed natural beauty.
Ansonville
Municipal Offices
704-826-8404
Chamber of Commerce
704-694-4181
http://ansoncountychamber.org/
The small town of Ansonville was first settled in 1844 and incorporated in 1885. At one time it was the home of a truly progressive movement in the form of the Carolina Female College established by local planters and aided by Methodists. The town’s rich history is evident in the architectural detailing and character of the antebellum homes that still remain. Area residents and visitors are drawn to the pristine expanse of the federally protected Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge near Ansonville. This recreational nature preserve is located south on U.S. Highway 52 and offers a wide variety of activities including hiking, fishing, seasonal hunting, and bird watching. Newcomers will discover in Ansonville a community that remains close through shared celebration, including the Ansonville Homecoming. An antique car show, great food, displays and crafts, entertainment for children, and a parade are all part of the festivities.
Lilesville
Municipal Offices
704-848-4711
Chamber of Commerce
704-694-4181
http://ansoncountychamber.org/
Although a post office was established in Lilesville as early as 1828, the town was incorporated nearly a half-century later in 1874. Residents of this small but proud rural community often greet each other on the street, stopping to exchange everything from the latest news to a new recipe. The Anson County recreation department manages a wide variety of leisure-time activities including youth baseball, basketball and football; adult men’s basketball and softball; and women’s softball programs. Available facilities include sports field, picnic areas, a children’s playground, basketball courts, tennis courts, a fishing pond, and a public swimming pool. Other regional attractions include the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge and beautiful lakes like Blewett Falls, Lake Tillery, and Badin for fishing, boating, and water sports. Wadesboro provides cultural events, higher education, and healthcare services for the county. One of the highlights of Lilesville community life is the Independence Day celebration with a parade, street dance, and dazzling fireworks.
Morven
Municipal Offices
704-851-9321
https://www.townofmorven.org/
Chamber of Commerce
704-694-4181
http://ansoncountychamber.org/
Morven claims the unusual distinction of being a community that actually moved from one location to another. Named by Scottish settlers for their home, Morven was established in 1823 but destroyed during the Civil War. When the railroad arrived two miles west of the original settlement, Morven was reestablished west of the original settlement in its present location along U.S. Highway 52 south of Wadesboro. Residents take pride in this small but comfortable town with its tree-shaded neighborhoods and quiet country setting. They appreciate the family-oriented values and the close-knit atmosphere where neighbors know each other’s names and work closely together for the betterment of the community. The town is proud of its status as a quiet small town and a nice place to live. The modern Morven Elementary School is located north of the town on Highway 52, and the medical center on the same highway meets most routine healthcare needs. One of Anson County’s leading manufacturing companies is also located on the outskirts of Morven on Highway 52 South, providing opportunities for local employment.
Peachland
Municipal Offices
704-272-7781
http://www.townofpeachland.org/
Chamber of Commerce
704-694-4181
http://ansoncountychamber.org/
Originally known as Mulcahy, the town of Peachland was later renamed in 1888 for the beautiful peach orchards planted by a local farmer. One of the unusual historic facts of the Peachland area was the founding of the Lawyers Spring Primitive Baptist Church in the early 1800s, a group that attracted “lawyers on horseback” from Charlotte to Wadesboro who camped at one of the many springs in the area. Located off Highway 74 in the western end of Anson County, Peachland is home to the modern new Peachland-Polkton Elementary School that provides a quality education to the youth of this western region. The active Anson County recreation department ensures ample opportunities for sports play for all ages, providing tennis courts, sports fields and courts, a fishing pond, swimming pool, and volleyball court. Newcomers will discover a delightful slice of small-town America in this friendly and welcoming community atmosphere.
Polkton
Municipal Offices
704-272-7463
http://www.townofpolkton.org/
Chamber of Commerce
704-694-4181
http://ansoncountychamber.org/
Situated in the western portion of Anson County along U.S. Highway 74 near the small community of Peachland, the town of Polkton was named for a famous native son. Leonidas Lafayette Polk not only founded the community, his name became synonymous with education throughout North Carolina. Polk’s unwavering ambition and vision were instrumental in the founding of Meredith College and North Carolina State University College. He also inspired the agricultural community with his publication of The Progressive Farmer magazine. Many felt that this charismatic crusader would have won the nomination for President of the United States in 1892. The Polkton campus of today’s South Piedmont Community College pays homage to this famous patriarch. One of the landmarks of Polkton is the original train depot, built by a local resident and donated to the Polkton Woman’s Club. This historic structure has been beautifully restored and now serves as a meeting place for civic organizations and special events. A number of flourishing manufacturing enterprises already call Polkton home, and the town’s economy continues to grow and mature.
Wadesboro
Municipal Offices
704-694-5171
http://www.townofwadesboro.org/
Chamber of Commerce
704-694-4181
http://ansoncountychamber.org/
Established in 1783 as the county seat, Wadesboro serves as the healthcare, governmental, educational, commercial, and entertainment hub of Anson County. Home to a rapidly growing community that includes vibrant new residential villages and subdivisions, the town is poised for continued expansion and development. Wadesboro’s Municipal Lake is a focal point of recreational activity, providing a new picnic shelter at City Pond with a screened-in area that accommodates as many as 20 guests. The lake area has also added a delightful new children’s playground, funded by the town with the assistance of a grant from the Anson County Partnership for Children. The community hosts many of the county’s most popular events and seasonal celebrations, including the People Fest each October and the annual holiday parade after Thanksgiving. The local arts council provides programs that include theatre, music, dance, visual arts, creative writing, special events, and family programming. Children remain a priority in Wadesboro planning, with emphasis placed on in-school programming, workshops, residencies, and artist’s programs. Wadesboro is home to the county’s community hospital and a campus for the regional community college.
