About Us

Stop, Stay and Linger Longer in Lumberton, NC

Our location is ideal for travelers to stop and enjoy the hospitality in our local hotels and restaurants on their trips North and South. Plus, our location is also convenient for retirees seeking a halfway point between New York and Florida to relocate and join our community. It rarely snows here but we experience the four seasons of a year.

Location

Lumberton is the largest city in Robeson County and is the County Seat. It is ideally situated on Interstate 95 in southeastern North Carolina, just 20 minutes north of the South Carolina border. To many travelers, who stop along the I-95 corridor, Lumberton is the midpoint between New York and Florida. Just south of the city, east-west Interstate 74 intersects with Interstate 95. Situated at the crossroads of these two major interstates, Lumberton is sometimes referred to as the “Gateway to Southeastern North Carolina” and “The Main Street of the East Coast.” This ideal location makes Lumberton a choice place to live, dine, shop and spend the night.

History

Founded in 1787 by John Willis, an officer in the American Revolution, the City of Lumberton was created by an ACT of the NC General Assembly that same year and was named the County Seat of Robeson County. Lumberton was incorporated in 1859 and was so named because of its location on the Lumber River and its designation as a shipping point for lumber to be used by the US Navy. Since its creation in 1787, Lumberton’s population in 2020, is approximately 23,000, and the overall population of Robeson County is approximately 134,168.

Robeson County History Museum

The museum is located in downtown Lumberton in a former railway express station built in 1908. The museum has a collection of artifacts relative to Lumberton and Robeson County. Rotating displays recounts Robeson County history from the earliest inhabitants to the more recent past. More information is listed at https://www.lumberton-nc.com/robeson-county-history-museum/.

Robeson County Public Library

Hoyland Livermore Jennings Local History and Genealogy Room

Located downtown Lumberton in the Robeson County Public Library, one can trace Robeson County ancestors by accessing over 2,000 books in the genealogy collection. Learn the history of local churches and small towns in the county and review cemetery records. “The Robesonian”, the local newspaper, is available on microfilm from 1900 to the present. For more information visit https://www.lumberton-nc.com/robeson-county-public-library/.

Lumber River

Our true gem! The Lumber River is a part of the North Carolina State Park System, established by the NC General Assembly in 1989 as a Natural & Scenic River and is the only NC black water river to earn federal designation as a National Wild and Scenic River. Also voted as one of North Carolina’s Top Ten Natural Wonders and is one of the most highly prized recreation sites in North Carolina. We proudly offer more information at www.lumberton-nc.com/lumber-river-state-park

North Carolina’s First Certified Retirement Community

The North Carolina Legislature designated Lumberton as THE FIRST Certified Retirement Community in North Carolina. Therefore, it signifies that Lumberton offers an unprecedented quality of living and range of amenities, services and opportunities which make it desirable for retirees. For more information, visit http://www.ci.lumberton.nc.us/Search?searchPhrase=Retire+NC+brochure.

ARTS

The Robeson County Arts Council (RCAC) believes that awareness and promotion of art and culture greatly enhances the quality of life in our city, county an state. RCAC is administrator of the NC Arts Council Grassroots Grants for Robeson County. Events include Art Cruising, art and garden exhibits, juried art shows, members exhibits, an annual Arts on Elm event and more. Visit their website www.robesoncountyartscouncil.org

Inner Peace Center for the Arts gallery

The Guild House – Robeson Art Guild

Lumbee Indian Tribe

The Lumbee Indian Tribe in Robeson County has been recognized as a Native American tribe by the state of North Carolina but have not received federal recognition by the Federal Government. The Lumbee Tribe is the largest tribe in North Carolina, the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River and the ninth largest non-federally recognized group in the nation. Visit the Lumbee Tribe website at www.lumbeetribe.com for information. Watch the Video: Pining for Home

Literacy

Lumberton is home to nationally recognized author Patricia McClelland Terrell, pen name p.m.terrell. An author of 18 books and founder of Lumberton’s nationally recognized annual Book’Em North Carolina Writers Conference and Book Fair. Lumberton is the only location in North Carolina sanctioned to hold this national event that brings more than 75 authors, publishers and literary agents who sell, sign their books and participate in talks and panel discussions. Learn more at www.pmterrell.com and www.bookemnc.org.

Downtown Main Street

Lumberton is a Main Street America 2020 Affiliate and member of The North Carolina Main Street Community. We are fortunate to have a designated Historical Downtown District and encourage reading about and visiting Historic Downtown Lumberton, Where the River Moves You.

Notable People from Lumberton and Robeson County

Brad AllenNational Football League referee
John BeardLos Angeles television news anchor
David BrittChief Justice of NC Supreme Court
Earl BrittSupreme Court judge
Joe Freeman BrittJudge and District Attorney for Robeson county recognized as the “World’s deadliest prosecutor.
Chris ChavisWorld Wrestling Federation Native American professional wrestler known as “Tatanka” and “The War Eagle”.
Adolph DialAuthor of “The Only Land I Know”
Johna EdmondsMiss North Carolina 2013
Mary FloridanOne of the top female ultra cyclists in the nation
Penny FullerBroadway and television actor
Sheena West GatehouseAttorney and one of the first females from Robeson County to play NCAA Division 1 Basketball; member of the Big South Conf.’s 500 Rebound Club with 569 rebounds.
Roderick Griffin1976-77 ACC Basketball Player of the year
Michael L. HolmesUS Navy Admiral
Victoria HugginsMiss North Carolina 2017
Dr. Johnny HuntPresident of the Southern Baptist Convention in 2008
Reef IveyLawyer and Professor of Law who was principal owner of Nutri/System Inc. (weight loss program)
Allen LambOne of the most decorated fighter pilots in the Korean War
Vonta LeachNational Football League Fullback – Baltimore Ravens when won Super Bowl 2013
Drew LevinsonCBS News national correspondent
Gene LocklearMajor League baseball player and sports artist
Sean LocklearNational Football League offensive lineman
B.F.”Jack” LoweryCo-founder of Cracker Barrel. 1958 graduate of UNC Pembroke. He and 12 partners invested in first in 1969
Rebekah Revels LoweryMiss North Carolina 2002
Margaret Marley ModlinSurrealist painter, sculptor and photographer. Adult life was mostly spent in Spain.
Jana MashoneeNative American singer, songwriter, actress & author
William “Bill” McArthurRetired US Army Colonel, a NASA astronaut, and a veteran of three Space Shuttle missions, one expedition to the International Space Station via the Russian Soyuz capsule
Jill McCorkleAuthor recognized with 5 books named New York Times Notable books.
William McGirtAmerican Professional Golfer, PGA tour
Mike McIntyreUnited States Congressman, represented North Carolina’s 7th Congressional in the US House of Representatives
Angus McLeanGovernor of North Carolina from 1924-1928
Malcolm McLeanEntrepreneur who was called “The Father of Containerization”
Kathy McMillianOlympian
D. McMillan, Jr.Served 5 terms in the NC House of Representatives, served a Vice President of the University of NC Consolidated System and was Chief Lobbyist for UNC-Chapel Hill
Sam McMillan“The Dot Man” – Famous black folk artist
Ruffin McNeillOutstanding Atlantic Coast Conference Football Coach
Joseph MitchelJournalist for The New Yorker
Paul S. OliverMajor General in the US Army
Tom OxendineFirst Native American Naval aviator, World War II
Charla Tedder Parker2013 National Teacher of the Year
Maria ParkerWinner of 2013 Race Across America
Lorna McNeill RicottaMiss North Carolina 2000
Afeni Shakuran early member of the Black Panther Party and the mother of rapper Tupac Shakur
Cliff SharpeAdmiral, US Navy
Jerry ShooterOrganizer and lead singer of the Carolina Breakers
Ida Van SmithAfrican American female aviator pioneer
Dick TaylorMember of UNC-Chapel Hill Track and Field Hall of Fame
P. M. Terrellaward-winning, internationally acclaimed author of more than 21 books in four genres: contemporary suspense, historical adventure/suspense, computer how-to and non-fiction. 
Donnell ThompsonProfessional football player
Mary Carol WarwickFamous Opera composer
David WeinsteinNorth Carolina Senator
Ronnie Wilkins
Benjamin Forrest Williams
Songwriter who co-wrote “Son of a Preacher Man” recorded by Dusty Springfield
North Carolina Museum of Art’s first chief curator, 1956-1979.
Tim WorleyProfessional Football player