Hidden History of Cary

The Untold Story of a Model Town

Consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the country, Cary, North Carolina, holds a rich and surprising history. Founded in 1871 by Allison Francis Page as a dry town—a status it maintained until 1964—Cary has been the backdrop for pivotal moments and notable firsts. From Civil War events to its claim as the Gourd Capital of the World, the site of North Carolina’s first public school and even the supposed location of buried treasures, Cary’s past is far more intriguing than most realize. Author Dr. Katherine Loflin details this and more history that shaped Cary into the second-largest town in America.