All About Pittsboro, NC - A Small Town Experience Just Outside Raleigh

Raleigh, NC is a huge, bustling metropolitan area.  It's just been rated #1, again, by Forbes for Business and Careers.  One of the many attractive things about the Triangle is the proximity of small towns and open countryside, close to the universities, shopping, businesses, and attractions that make the Raleigh area great!

Pittsboro, NC is one of those small towns.

Just Minutes from Raleigh and Chapel Hill

To get to Pittsboro from Raleigh or Apex, hop on 64 West.  You'll cross Jordan Lake, one of the largest (and prettiest) lakes in North Carolina. 

Pittsboro is just 20 minutes from Apex.

Or from Chapel Hill, head south on 15/501.  Just 15 minutes, and you'll be seeing the famous Pittsboro courthouse (above). 

History of Pittsboro, NC 

Pittsboro was founded in 1787, and established as the county seat for Chatham County. 

The Chatham County Governmental Center is shown. 

Pittsboro escaped devastation during the Civil War due to a convenient flooding of the Haw River. 

In 1888, the Pittsboro Railroad was completed, connecting Pittsboro to Raleigh, which contributed significantly to the growth of the town.

Historical Buildings

There are a number of historical buildings.  Pittsboro, NC has an antique district, and some original homes now have been converted to assorted businesses.

The Chatham County Historical Association has a small museum in the Pittsboro Courthouse.  Their activities include reconstructing log cabins and preserving the 1842 law office of Charles Manly, now available for visiting.

Total population of Pittsboro during the 2000 census was about 2300.  Today there are many new home communities in the area, and Pittsboro is getting larger.

Pittsboro, NC is Growing

There are many proposed commercial developments, as well as developments under construction.

Pittsboro Commons is a planned 425,000 square foot shopping center that should include a grocery store, shops, and restaraunts.  Bellemont Point and Bellemont Station are under construction, and will offer mostly commercial space. 

Sixty-Four Crossing will have a proposed 310,000 square feet of retail, 130,000 square feet of offices, and a 140 room hotel. 

Pittsboro Place is the largest proposed development, and may be the longest to come to fruition - plans include 1.3 million square feet of retail/office space, a movie theatre, and a bowling alley.  Some of these have been approved, others are still in the planning stages. 

What Kind of Shopping is Available in Pittsboro?

Actually, there's quite a bit.  Three major grocery stores, plus Chatham Marketplace, a local grocery Co-Op located in the historic Chatham Mills, a former textile plant. 

There's a new Lowe's Hardware at the corner of 15/501 and 64, and plenty of places to eat.

These are just a few examples:

Allen & Son Pit-Cooked Bar-B-Que

Chatham Marketplace

S&T's Soda Shoppe

Elizabeth's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria

Carolina Brewery & Grill

General Store Cafe

Al's Diner

Fearrington House Restaurant

Schools, Libraries and More in Pittsboro

There are several schools, and even a local branch of the community college.  Or think about the possibility of attending UNC Chapel Hill, just 20 minutes away!

CHATHAM COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES

CENTRAL CAROLINA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

CHATHAM ARTS

Pittsboro Elementary School (K-4)
375 Pittsboro Elementary School Road
Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312
919/542-3987 | 919/542-1146 [FAX]

Perry W. Harrison School
2655 Hamlet Chapel Road
Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312
919/967-9925 | 919/967-5844 [FAX]

Silk Hope School
7945 Gum Springs-Silk Hope Road
Siler City, North Carolina 27344
919/742-3911 | 919/742-5032 [FAX]

For high schools, see the Chatham County School Directory.

Residents of Pittsboro often work in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, or other parts of the Triangle.   Pittsboro is an attractive place to live - it's small, lot sizes are large, and land prices are a little lower than in other areas.   There are several very popular developments, some right in Pittsboro, some in the Silk Hope area.

 Watch for more articles about Chatham County and the Pittsboro area!

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