For thousands of years, people have forded the Eno River along a North-South path in the area that is now Hillsborough, NC.  This route was originally part of an intricate network, connecting Native American people who lived in the Piedmont -- from Virginia to Georgia.

 

In April 1754, Englishman William Churton surveyed a 663-acre tract of land in Orange County and laid out a plan for a county seat for settlers of European descent.  Although Churton’s plan included a major East-West road that was also used for businesses, the North-South road became its primary commercial thoroughfare.  Accordingly, it was often called “Main Street.”  The exact date when this thoroughfare became “Churton Street” is unknown.  The circa 1758 Scheme for Corbinton dictated that from the courthouse towards Hico, the street would be named "Church Street," while from the courthouse to the river, would be called "Churton Street."  However, the name "Church Street" was dropped and the entire road became "Churton."    

 

Although Churton Street was realigned a little in 1964 on its southern end to join with a newly-built bridge across the Eno River that is still used today, its path and that of the other streets in the town of Hillsborough are essentially in the same place that they were when the town was founded.

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Click the tabs in the menu above or the buttons below each map to learn more about the businesses along Churton Street throughout the history of Hillsborough, NC.