Burgaw prepares to celebrate its 145th anniversary

BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — Sunday, February 25th will mark Burgaw’s 145th anniversary.

The former railroad town was incorporated on February 25th, 1879, and serves as the county “seat” for Pender.

The town traces its origins to the Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad Company, which routed its tracks across the Burgaw creek where a cross-roads trading post previously existed called Cypress Grove.

Mayor Olivia Dawson said this weekend is a great chance to look back at the town’s history, while also looking forward to its future.

“Looking back, its fun to look back on the history and how the culture and community was then and how we move that forward for us today,” Dawson said. “And so how we are building on that or continue to build on that is we continue to grow and continue to be a great town and as our saying goes, ‘A Good Town Year Round.'”

During the town’s centennial celebration in 1979, a time capsule was located on the grounds of the town hall and is to be opened in 2079.

Among the items inside were a medicine bottle, a paper Coca-Cola cup, a Polaroid picture of the Pender Patriot band, and a town of Burgaw water bill.