| Meet Norman |
Norman is one of those towns where everyone knows everyone else.
With less than 100 residents in the town, it's hard not to know
everyone.
According to "A History of Richmond County" by James and Ida
Huneycutt, Norman was first incorporated as a municipality in 1913.
Sprawl's Old Field received its name from a nearby field, which was
used as a drilling ground around the American Revolution by the
colonial forces.
The railroad came through in October 1910 from Candor to Ellerbe
and attracted the town's timber industry.
Old Sprawl's Field grew very little until Snow Lumber Company
established a lumber plant there in 1911.
The town of Norman prospered for years when the lumber mill was
operating on a large scale. Three disatrous fires from 1940 to 1956
closed down the lumber operations.
On July 1, 1945, by legislative action, the town charter was revoked.
The town of Norman was not reincorporated until 1971.
Norman Lumber Company, owned by E.V. Hogan, one of Norman's
most successful mayors, and Tom Shaw, opened in 1955. Allen
Brothers Timber Co. also started a small mill.
In 1956, Norman Lumber Co. sold the lumber yard to Reigal Paper
Co. Hogan stayed with the mill as plant manager. It operated until 1958
when it, too, was destroyed by fire.
Hogan began Norman Manufacturing Co. soon after and rebuilt the
destroyed mill.
Norman Timber Sales took over the sawmill and lumber yard again
under the leadership of Hogan. Norman Timber Sales, in 1972, merged
with Troy Lumber Sales.
Roger Derby came to Richmond County and planted the first peach
orchard. The larger orchards no longer exist.
Jean Stutts is the mayor. "We're just a small, close community,"
Stutts said. "We try to be there for each other and I enjoy living in
this close-knit community."
The town has no town or property tax and has water service through
Richmond County.
With less than 100 residents in the town, it's hard not to know
everyone.
According to "A History of Richmond County" by James and Ida
Huneycutt, Norman was first incorporated as a municipality in 1913.
Sprawl's Old Field received its name from a nearby field, which was
used as a drilling ground around the American Revolution by the
colonial forces.
The railroad came through in October 1910 from Candor to Ellerbe
and attracted the town's timber industry.
Old Sprawl's Field grew very little until Snow Lumber Company
established a lumber plant there in 1911.
The town of Norman prospered for years when the lumber mill was
operating on a large scale. Three disatrous fires from 1940 to 1956
closed down the lumber operations.
On July 1, 1945, by legislative action, the town charter was revoked.
The town of Norman was not reincorporated until 1971.
Norman Lumber Company, owned by E.V. Hogan, one of Norman's
most successful mayors, and Tom Shaw, opened in 1955. Allen
Brothers Timber Co. also started a small mill.
In 1956, Norman Lumber Co. sold the lumber yard to Reigal Paper
Co. Hogan stayed with the mill as plant manager. It operated until 1958
when it, too, was destroyed by fire.
Hogan began Norman Manufacturing Co. soon after and rebuilt the
destroyed mill.
Norman Timber Sales took over the sawmill and lumber yard again
under the leadership of Hogan. Norman Timber Sales, in 1972, merged
with Troy Lumber Sales.
Roger Derby came to Richmond County and planted the first peach
orchard. The larger orchards no longer exist.
Jean Stutts is the mayor. "We're just a small, close community,"
Stutts said. "We try to be there for each other and I enjoy living in
this close-knit community."
The town has no town or property tax and has water service through
Richmond County.
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