Introduction to Hamlet, North Carolina
Hamlet, North Carolina, in Richmond County, is 47 miles W of Fayetteville, North Carolina and 69 miles E of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Hamlet History
Hamlet was established in the late 1800s following the construction of a woolen and saw mill in the region. John Shortridge, an Englishman, set up the mill along Marks Creek. In 1870, a track of railroad connecting Wilmington to Charlotte was laid through this area. The community was named Hamlet in 1873, and incorporated in 1897. Businesses gradually began prospering in the area, and a large number of railroad workers soon settled in the community.
Hamlet and nearby Attractions
- National Railroad Museum and Hall of Fame
- Rankin Museum of American and Natural History
- Town Creek Indian Mound
- Cheraw State Recreation Area
- Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve
Things To Do In Hamlet
The National Railroad Museum & Hall of Fame, located in Hamlet, was the depot of the former Seaboard Air Line Railway. It now houses exhibits including a locomotive and caboose. The Rankin Museum of American and Natural History has various antiques, medical memorabilia, 19th-century pottery, a turpentine still and Civil War relics on display. The Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve features nature trails and is a popular hiking spot. Cheraw State Recreation Area, spread across 7,361 acres of land, offers boating, fishing, camping, hiking, swimming and horseback riding opportunities. It also includes a golf course and pedal boat rentals. The Loch Haven Golf Course is nearby as well. In addition, Hamlet hosts the Richmond County Fair every October.
Hamlet Transportation
Fayetteville Regional Airport is nearby.
Hamlet Higher Education
Hamlet is home to the Richmond Community College. The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Francis Marion University and Florence Darlington Technical College are some of the other colleges located nearby.