Granville County's 275th anniversary is July 24

Jul. 8—OXFORD — Two hundred seventy-five years ago, Granville County came into being on land granted to Lord John Carteret, Earl of Granville, by King George II of Great Britain.

On Saturday, July 24, heirs to the king's largesse will gather at the Granville Athletic Park in Oxford to celebrate the history and progress the county has experienced in the ensuing years.

From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., the day will feature food trucks, children's activities, musical entertainment, outdoor exhibits, programs and a sharing of community resources.

The opening ceremony for the 275th Anniversary Celebration will take place at 10 a.m.

The public is urged to attend the event to celebrate the rich history of Granville County and sample a few of its current offerings.

Granville Athletic Park is at 4615 Belltown Road in Oxford.

Last fall, the county commissioned local historian Lewis Bowling to author a commemorative volume to mark the anniversary. The result is "Looking Back: 275 Years of Granville County History." It will be available for purchase at the event, and Bowling will be on hand to sign copies.

Formed in 1746, Granville County pre-dates the signing of the Declaration of Independence by 30 years and the ratification of the U.S. Constitution by 42 years. The county saw the young country expand into a continental nation, growing from 13 states to 50. And it participated in many of the events that accompanied that growth.

Today's Granville County includes five municipalities — the city of Oxford (county seat), the city of Creedmoor, and the towns of Butner, Stem and Stovall — and is home to more than 60,000 people.

For more information about the 275th Anniversary celebration, go to www.granvillecounty.org/275th, or contact the Granville County administration office in Oxford at 919-693-5240.