Eastern North Carolina Encyclopedia/Nash County
NASH COUNTY
In looking over the many inducements offered the prospective settler or investor by Eastern Carolina the inquirer will profit by stopping for awhile to consider the many advantages to be found in the County of Nash.
Nash County was created in 1777 by the General Assembly of North Carolina, and since that time has played an important part in the history of the State and Nation. It is situated in the northeastern part of the great State of North Carolina, just on the divide between the flat lands of the Coastal Plain and the rolling lands of the Piedmont section. Its area is 535 square miles, with a population of 45,000 of practically 100 per cent American citizens.
The geographical location, its splendid soils, its progressive people, and other natural resources are its greatest assets. Here it is cold enough in the winter to encourage thrift and industry among the people. There are usually enough cold days to rid Nash of many noxious insects that become a serious pest in more southerly sections of the cotton belt. Being in the very northern part of the cotton zone, the boll weevil is not expected to survive here in sufficient numbers to become a serious menace to Nash County's high rank as a cotton county. The 1923 crop was the highest yielding crop in the history of the county.
Nash lies in the center of the famous section of Carolina known as the "Marlboro Strip". The soil of this section is a light loam over clay subsoil, and is very easy to cultivate with any of the various types of modern machinery. From this type as an average of her soils, Nash can furnish the farmer with his choice of a few red-clay farms in the western sections of the county, or if he desires sandy lands for peanuts or tobacco and truck these can be easily found within the borders of Nash. All these types are found on some individual farms. Good farms may be bought at prices ranging from $10.00 to $200.00 per acre, depending upon location and improvements.
Being blessed with a variety of fertile soils, naturally Nash County produces a wide variety of crops. The leading ones are cotton, tobacco and corn; while oats, peanuts, wheat, rye, grass, alfalfa, fruits and vegetables are grown quite extensively. To those who desire live stock lands Nash offers natural advantages that are scarcely excelled in the South. Natural grasses grow profusely on the heavier soils, and the various clovers respond eagerly to proper treatment, and twelve month grazing is easily secured for live stock. This type of farming is on the increase in Nash County. Ready markets for meats and poultry products are 
nearby within the county to be reached by a short truck haul over improved sand-clay and hard-surface roads. Or if still larger markets are wanted railroads are equally convenient and eager to carry country produce to the big Eastern centers where they may be served to the consumer within eighteen hours from the time it leaves the farm. The tobacco farmer finds in Rocky Mount (half in Nash County) one of the best and biggest tobacco markets in the State. While it is not the largest market it always ranks either at the top or near the top in average price paid to the farmer. The cotton producer finds a ready market for his product in any of the several towns and cities in the county. Some of Nash's cotton is manufactured in the county, and this field of development is just being opened.
Tar River, winding down the full length of Nash County and up along its eastern border offers opportunities for water power that will soon be realized more fully by seekers of this form of power. Already there are several dams along this river, furnishing power for city lighting, flour mills, corn mills, cotton factories, and various electrical purposes. But there are many good dam sites still available to the investor that can be had at reasonable prices with a certain profit on the money expended.
The banking and general credit facilities of Nash are of the highest type, and are being developed by a splendid corps of men with a view towards service to the thrifty and needy citizen who will show himself to be worthy of trust and confidence. During the severe trials of the deflation period of 1920–21 when many good people were caught in the remorseless current of hard times, business failures and foreclosures were comparatively few in Nash County. And one of the big helps was the faith and confidence shown the people of Nash by the banks of the county. Many were the poor financial but good moral risks that the banks "Carried" through those trying years to finally rescue them from what would have been financial ruin had their bankers been of the "Shylock" variety. The bankers of Nash are ready and anxious to meet the homeseeker and the promoter who comes to them for aid and advice.
Here in Nash are to be found all the principal denominations of churches existing in the Southland. The newcomer is welcomed to all or any of them regardless of his creed. Sunday schools are numerous and well attended and are run along the most modern lines for this class of social and religious training.
In health work Nash is one of the pioneers of the State. It has enjoyed the benefits of a whole-time health officer, welfare officer, and a county nurse. A close watch is kept for epidemics, and an accurate record made of the vital statistics is available at all times to the public. For those unfortunate enough to be left destitute Nash has almost completed a County Home that can hardly be matched in the South. In architectural design, modernity of equipment, and comfort for the unfortunate 
it will always stand as an evidence of the spirit of charity that a fortunate citizenship feels for those whose existence has been marred by the unkind hand of fate.
Educationally Nash is keeping pace with her rapid industrial and economic advancement,
for the people realize that only by having an educated citizenship can a community or state keep up with the modern spirit of advancement. The old fashioned little Red School House of the Civil War age is entirely replaced by larger and more modern type buildings. Since 1918 thirteen permanent buildings have been erected and plans for many more are under way. During this five-year period approximately $600,000.00 have been spent on buildings and equipment. There are nine high schools in the county that prepare students for college entrance.
If you desire a change of location, business or climate, and want to cast your lot among a progressive and contented people, come to Old Nash County, North Carolina. Look it over carefully; talk with its folks. They will give you a cordial welcome to their homes and communities; to their county. It is a county in which you will enjoy living and working. By thrift and honesty you will prosper from your labor. Come now and investigate while there are many opportunities for all who will come and look.
For further information about Nash County, write Register of Deeds, Nashville, N. C.
or
M. F. Morgan, Bailey, N. C.