Editing Caswell County, North Carolina

{{Short description|County in North Carolina, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Caswell County
 | state                = North Carolina
 | seal                 = Caswell County Seal.png
 | founded              = June 1, 1777
 | named for            = [[Richard Caswell]]
 | seat wl              = Yanceyville
 | largest city wl      = Yanceyville
 | city type            = community
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 428.71
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 425.37
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 3.34
 | area percentage      = 0.78
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 22736
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 22807
 | population_density_sq_mi = 53.45
 | coordinates          = {{coord|36.39|-79.34|type:adm2nd_region:US-NC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}}
 | web                  = www.caswellcountync.gov
 | ex image             = Caswell County Courthouse, Yanceyville, N.C.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Old [[Caswell County Courthouse]] in Yanceyville
 | district             = 13th
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | motto                = "Preserving the Past – Embracing the Future"
}}

'''Caswell County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[North Carolina]]. It is located in the [[Piedmont Triad]] region of the state. At the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 22,736.<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> Its [[county seat]] is [[Yanceyville, North Carolina|Yanceyville]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref>

Partially bordering the state of [[Virginia]], the county was formed from [[Orange County, North Carolina|Orange County]] in 1777 and named for [[Richard Caswell]], the first [[governor of North Carolina]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Caswell County, North Carolina |url=https://www.carolana.com/NC/Counties/caswell_county_nc.html|access-date=December 20, 2022|website=www.carolana.com}}</ref> Other Caswell County communities include [[Blanch, North Carolina|Blanch]], [[Casville, North Carolina|Casville]], [[Leasburg, North Carolina|Leasburg]], [[Milton, North Carolina|Milton]], [[Pelham, North Carolina|Pelham]], [[Prospect Hill, North Carolina|Prospect Hill]], [[Providence, Caswell County, North Carolina|Providence]], and [[Semora, North Carolina|Semora]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Towns |url=https://allincaswellnc.com/visit-caswell-county/|access-date=December 20, 2022|website=www.allincaswellnc.com}}</ref>

The [[Dan River (Virginia)|Dan River]] flows through a portion of the county. [[Hyco Lake]] is a popular recreational area and key water source.<ref name="ncpedia 2"/>

==History==
===Early history before 1777===
Caswell County's early history spans Native American habitation, European colonization, and the development of an agrarian economy. Key themes include tobacco agriculture, slavery, the influence of Scotch-Irish and English settlers, and the importance of religion and family networks in shaping the community. 

The area was originally inhabited by indigenous tribes who utilized the Dan River, Hyco Creek, other waterways, and fertile lands for centuries. During the second half of the 18th century, tobacco farming and the increasing reliance on enslaved labor began to lay the groundwork for the plantation system that would dominate the region in the 19th century until the American Civil War.
====Native American era====
The area was first inhabited by Native Americans over 10,000 years ago.<ref>{{cite web|last=Claggett|first=Stephen R.| title=North Carolina's First Colonists: 12,000 Years Before Roanoke| url=https://archaeology.ncdcr.gov/articles/north-carolinas-first-colonists|publisher=North Carolina Office of State Archeology|access-date=July 11, 2021}}</ref> Indigenous residents included [[Siouan languages|Siouan-speaking]] groups such as the [[Occaneechi]], [[Shakori]], and [[Eno people|Eno]].<ref name="ncpedia 2"/>{{sfn|Powell|1977|p=28-31}} Abundant evidence of indigenous activity, including pottery fragments, arrowheads, and stone tools, has been discovered across Caswell County, reflecting its long history of Native American habitation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Caswell County History – American Indian Heritage|url=https://ncccha.org/index.html#contents|publisher=NCCCHA.org|access-date=July 30, 2022}}</ref>{{sfn|Powell|1977|p=28-31}}

====Colonial period====
In 1663 and 1665, [[Charles II of England]] granted the land that includes what is now North and [[South Carolina]] (named for his father, [[Charles I of England|Charles I]]) to eight of his noblemen, the [[Lords Proprietors]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lords Proprietors|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/lords-proprietors#:~:text=The%20Lords%20Proprietors%20were%20the,restoration%20to%20the%20English%20throne.|access-date=March 2, 2022}}</ref> Caswell County was originally part of the [[land grant]] belonging to [[Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon]].<ref name="auto6"/>

Caswell County was once part of the northern region of [[Orange County, North Carolina|Orange County]], which was established in 1752.<ref name="CountyNamesake">{{Cite web |title=Orange County |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/geography/orange |access-date=April 12, 2025|website=NCpedia}}</ref> [[Thirteen Colonies|Colonial]] records show that land grants in the area now comprising Caswell County were issued as early as 1748. There were [[Scotch-Irish Americans|Scotch-Irish]], [[German Americans|German]], and [[English Americans|English]] [[human settlements|settlements]] along the [[Dan River (Virginia)|Dan River]] and Hogans and Country Line creeks by 1751.<ref name="auto6"/>

The first recorded settlements occurred between 1750 and 1755, when eight to ten families migrated from within Orange County, as well as from [[Culpeper County|Culpeper]] and [[Spotsylvania County|Spotsylvania]] counties in Virginia.{{refn| [[George Washington]] was [[Culpeper County]]'s surveyor from 1749 to 1750.}}<ref name="auto0"/> The primary reason for resettlement was economic. They were searching for fertile land, which the lowlands of the Dan River and several creeks provided.<ref name="auto6">{{cite web|title=Caswell County: The First Century, 1777–1877 |url=http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/sartin_ruby_1972.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220013121/http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/sartin_ruby_1972.pdf |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |url-status=live|access-date=August 5, 2021}}{{Additional source needed|date=November 2022}}</ref>

The area grew rapidly after the initial settlements. Scotch-Irish and German families traversed the [[Great Wagon Road]], which was the main route for settlement in the region, and had come by way of Virginia and Pennsylvania. English and [[French Huguenot]] migrants came from settled areas of [[eastern North Carolina]], following the [[Trading Path|Great Trading Path]]. English colonists also came from Virginia using the same network of roads and trails.<ref name="auto14">{{cite web|title=History and Architecture of Orange County, North Carolina |url=https://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/historic-preservation-office/survey-and-national-register/surveyreports/OrangeCountySurveyPubManuscript-1996.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812200030/https://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/historic-preservation-office/survey-and-national-register/surveyreports/OrangeCountySurveyPubManuscript-1996.pdf |archive-date=August 12, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=August 12, 2021}}</ref>

====Slavery and labor====
[[Slavery in the United States|Enslaved Africans]] were brought to the area by enslavers and slave-trading agents as early as the 1750s, primarily through the [[domestic slave trade]] from Virginia and other colonies.<ref name="auto5">{{cite web|title=Settlement of the Piedmont, 1730–1775 |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/history/colonial/piedmont|access-date=August 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Patterns in the intercolonial slave trade across the Americas before the nineteenth century|url=https://www.scielo.br/j/tem/a/cZmRvYM8FzJxBHvmPfWcfTw/?lang=en&format=pdf |access-date=August 25, 2021}}</ref>

Before the late 18th century, enslaved labor was generally concentrated on smaller farms rather than large plantations, with most white enslavers owning fewer than five enslaved individuals. The system of slavery developed through:

*Debt-based transactions, where enslaved individuals were pledged as collateral for loans or debts, a common practice among landowners seeking to expand their farms or acquire supplies.<ref name="auto6"/>
*Local auctions at trading posts along the [[Dan River (Virginia)|Dan River]], which facilitated the exchange of goods and enslaved individuals and served as a regional hub for the trade of enslaved people.<ref name="auto5"/>
*Intergenerational enslavement, wherein children born to enslaved mothers were automatically enslaved under colonial laws.<ref>{{cite book|title=Born in Bondage: Growing Up Enslaved in the Antebellum South|year=2001|publisher=Harvard University Press}}</ref>
This early period also saw the establishment of legal frameworks designed to reinforce the institution of slavery:

*The [[Slave codes|1741 North Carolina slave codes]] restricted the movement and autonomy of enslaved people.
*1774 laws prohibited enslaved individuals from learning to write, aiming to suppress rebellion and maintain control.<ref>{{cite web|title=Slave Codes in Colonial North Carolina|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/anchor/slave-codes|access-date=August 15, 2021}}</ref>
The number of enslaved persons in the county grew significantly throughout the second half of the 18th century, driven by the expansion of agriculture, especially [[tobacco]] farming. The cultivation of tobacco, a staple crop in the Piedmont region, required intensive labor and drove the demand for enslaved workers.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Growth of Slavery in North Carolina|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/anchor/growth-slavery-north|access-date=August 15, 2021}}</ref> By 1800, enslaved persons accounted for nearly one-third (32%) of Caswell County's population.<ref name="auto6"/>

====Social structure====
The earliest white settlers were primarily [[yeoman]] farmers and planters. Middle-class settlers, historically referred to as the "new families," arrived later in the 18th century.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Evolution of Gentility in Eighteenth-century England and Colonial Virginia|url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2617/m2/1/high_res_d/Thesis.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818075615/http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2617/m2/1/high_res_d/Thesis.pdf |archive-date=August 18, 2017 |url-status=live|access-date=August 20, 2021}}</ref><ref name="auto6"/> The area's culture was strongly influenced by Scotch-Irish and [[English culture|English traditions]], shaping its social, spiritual, educational, and economic life.<ref name="auto10">"Caswell is Home of Flue-Cured Tobacco," ''[[The News & Observer]]'' (Raleigh, NC), May 18, 1940, p11</ref>

Yeoman farmers accounted for more than half of the settler population.<ref name="auto6"/> Few if any were enslavers at this time. The yeomanry owned small family farms and lived in log homes. They farmed for [[subsistence farming|subsistence]], with surpluses going toward debt settlement or bartering for goods. Relying on the skilled and unskilled labor of family members, neighbors, and others, they contributed significantly to the local agricultural economy by linking farms to early [[gristmill|grist mills]] and [[sawmills]].<ref name="auto14"/>

Middle-class families, though a smaller portion of the settler population, played a significant role in the area's early economic and social development. Families including the Coles, Holts, and Stephens were among the "new families" that contributed to local prosperity by fostering business, trade, and settlement in towns such as [[Leasburg, North Carolina|Leasburg]], [[Milton, North Carolina|Milton]], and nearby villages through entrepreneurship, craftsmanship, and small-scale farming.<ref name="auto6"/> Unlike the planter class, such families primarily relied on family labor and hired workers rather than enslaved labor.

The planter class, or gentry, constituted the [[American gentry|upper class]] and were the smallest segment of the white settler population. Most came from prosperous families, owned extensive landholdings, and were familiar with Enlightenment ideas. Their status stemmed from landholdings and reliance on enslaved labor, which were central to the agricultural economy and reinforced their social and economic dominance. Due to their privileged position derived from land and slave ownership, they profoundly influenced the county economically, culturally, and politically.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gentry|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/gentry |access-date=August 25, 2021}}</ref><ref name="auto6"/>

Exemplifying this gentry class was the Graves family, who migrated to the area from Virginia in the mid-1750s. John Graves (1715–1792), a large landowner and patriarch of the family, acquired extensive tracts along Country Line Creek and contributed to the county's early economic and social development. His descendants, notably [[Azariah Graves]] (1768–1850), became prominent planters, legislators, and community leaders who exemplified the planter class's influence on the region's agricultural, political, and cultural life. The family also contributed to religion and education: Rev. Barzillai Graves (1759–1827) served as pastor of local Baptist churches, where he played a key role in leading the community’s spiritual life. Azariah supported missionary efforts and is said to have hosted a [[female seminary|school for young women]] on his plantation in the 1820s.<ref name=auto0>{{cite web|title=The Graves|url=https://ncccha.org/pdf/graves/thegraves.pdf|access-date=May 10, 2025}}</ref>

While the Graves family exemplified the height of influence within the planter class, the area's smaller and less prominent planters were less wealthy and lived more modestly. These smaller-scale planters, often referred to as "common planters," occupied a position between the gentry and moderately prosperous families.<ref>{{cite web|title=The North Carolina Historical Review|url=https://www.dncr.nc.gov/about-us/history/division-historical-resources/historical-publications/north-carolina-historical-review|access-date=August 25, 2021}}</ref> They participated in land speculation, agricultural production, and trade, establishing mills, selling livestock, and growing profitable crops such as wheat, corn, [[oats]], and [[tobacco]]. In the mid-18th century, several employed [[Indentured servitude in British America|bound apprentices]], including mixed-race individuals, under fixed contracts, often for agricultural labor or skilled trades.<ref>{{cite web|title=Davis Family|url=http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/Davis-Drew.htm|access-date=August 31, 2021}}</ref> However, as enslaved labor became more accessible and affordable in the late 18th century, the reliance on bound apprentices diminished, reflecting the growing dominance of slavery in the agricultural economy.

====Agricultural economy====
Tobacco played a significant role in the region's agricultural economy during this period. Until the early 1800s, it was grown by the settlers as both a primary and secondary crop, depending on market demand, pricing, soil exhaustion, and other variables.<ref>{{cite web|title=Soil Survey of Caswell County, North Carolina|url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/north_carolina/caswellNC1908/caswellNC1908.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119175405/https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/north_carolina/caswellNC1908/caswellNC1908.pdf |archive-date=January 19, 2017 |url-status=live|access-date=August 11, 2021}}</ref> 

From the early 1760s until the early 1770s, many regional planters received credit loans from [[Tobacco Lords|British-owned mercantile companies]] in the [[Province of North Carolina|province]] to expand agricultural production. The loans funded land purchases and enslaved labor, while British merchants managed tobacco exports sent to Virginia warehouses and supplied imported goods.<ref>{{cite web|title=Scotch Merchants|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/scotch-merchants|access-date=August 25, 2021}}</ref> Initially, these companies offered favorable terms to planters, but over time, declining tobacco prices and high debts forced many to sell land or enslaved people to remain solvent. Due to the [[American Revolutionary War]], most of these debts were never repaid. After the war, the demand for tobacco rose when new markets were found without such middlemen.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tobacco & Colonial American Economy|url=https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1681/tobacco--colonial-american-economy/|access-date=August 17, 2021}}</ref>

====Community development====
Agriculture, including tobacco, remained central to the local economy. At the same time, the early settlers prioritized building a sustainable community. The Graves and Lea families were particularly prominent, playing leading roles in the area's development. Alongside them, the Delone, Barkston, Reynolds, Kimbro, and Peterson families were among the first to settle in the area during the early to mid-1750s, contributing in smaller but meaningful ways to its initial growth. The Delone family, in particular, played a role in the establishment of Leasburg by selling land they owned to support the town's formation.<ref name="auto6"/>

The Lea family was integral in both advancing education through [[Christian school |church-affiliated schooling]] at Lea's Chapel and contributing to the formation and establishment of Leasburg, which is named for William Lea, a militia captain, planter, and civic leader.<ref name="auto6"/> Like the Lea family, other older families tended to be more politically and fiscally conservative than the "new families" who arrived later in the century. They often opposed funding for post-Revolutionary War [[internal improvements]] and resisted expenditures that increased the county's debt, reflecting their reluctance to raise taxes or expand the role of government.<ref name="auto6" />

Before the Revolutionary War, the biggest threats to public safety and social stability in the region were the [[French and Indian War]] and the [[Regulator Movement]] in present Orange County.<ref>{{cite web|title=Regulator Movement  |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/history/colonial/regulator-movement|access-date=August 16, 2021}}</ref> While the movement increased class tensions within communities, the settlers came together in support of the [[American Revolution]].<ref name="auto6"/>

====Religion====
Prior to the Revolution, the [[Church of England]] was the most common religious affiliation in the area.<ref name="auto6"/> Lea's Chapel  was  formed  as  an [[Anglicanism |Anglican]] chapel in 1750. In 1779, the State of North Carolina granted the land on which the chapel was standing to William Lea. It soon became a [[Methodist]] church after Lea's conversion.<ref>{{cite web| title=Chapel on South Hyco: The Story of Lea's Chapel United Methodist Church, Person County, North Carolina: 1750-2000 AD| url=https://archive.org/stream/chapelonsouthhyc00rose/chapelonsouthhyc00rose_djvu.txt| access-date=June 7, 2022}}</ref> Pennsylvania missionary Hugh McAden founded [[Red House Presbyterian Church]] possibly as early as 1755.<ref>{{cite web| title=McAden, Hugh| url=https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/mcaden-hugh| publisher=NCPedia.org|access-date=August 16, 2021}}</ref><ref name="auto6"/> Country Line [[Primitive Baptist]] Church was established in 1772.<ref>{{cite web| title=Historical Sketch of Country Line Church| url=http://www.ancestraltrackers.net/nc/caswell/historical-sketch-country-line-baptist-church-yanceyville.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817090830/http://www.ancestraltrackers.net/nc/caswell/historical-sketch-country-line-baptist-church-yanceyville.pdf |archive-date=August 17, 2021 |url-status=live| access-date=August 17, 2021}}</ref>  Churches served as places of worship and community gathering, playing a vital role in the settlers' social and spiritual lives.

===Creation===
Caswell County was formed from the northern half of Orange County and officially established on June 1, 1777, during a time of increased patriotic fervor.{{sfn|Corbitt|2000|p=59}} It was created so that governance could be more localized and efficient.<ref name="auto3"/> The legislative act establishing the county ordered its first court to be held at the homestead of Thomas Douglas and appointed commissioners to find a permanent location to build a county courthouse and prison.{{sfn|Corbitt|2000|p=59}}

Caswell County was named for [[Richard Caswell]], the first [[governor of North Carolina]] after the [[American Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] in 1776. He was also a delegate at the First and Second [[Continental Congress]]es and a senior officer of [[militia]] in the [[Southern theater of the American Revolutionary War|Southern theater]] of the Revolutionary War.<ref>{{cite web| title=Caswell, Richard| url=https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/caswell-richard-0| publisher=NCPedia.org|access-date=July 11, 2021}}</ref> 

During the prelude to the [[Battle of Guilford Courthouse]] in 1781, [[Lord Cornwallis]] pursued General [[Nathanael Greene]] through Caswell County. Greene's retreat, called the "Race to the [[Dan River (Virginia)|Dan]]," was a calculated ploy. His objective was to extend Cornwallis far beyond his supply base in [[Camden, South Carolina]], so that his fighting power would be significantly diminished. Cornwallis and his troops marched through [[Camp Springs, North Carolina|Camp Springs]] and [[Leasburg, North Carolina|Leasburg]]. They continued on to the Red House Church area of [[Semora, North Carolina|Semora]].<ref name="auto6"/> It is unknown how many locally enslaved people fled to [[Kingdom of Great Britain|the British]] for safe haven before the [[Siege of Yorktown (1781)|Battle of Yorktown]] in 1781.<ref>{{cite web| title=African Americans and the Revolution| url=https://www.ncpedia.org/history/usrevolution/african-americans|access-date=August 11, 2021}}</ref>

By the war's end in 1783, Caswell County had made significant contributions of personnel and [[materiel]] to the war effort. Little fighting took place locally. County residents renowned for their Revolutionary War service include Lieutenant Colonel Henry "Hal" Dixon, John Herndon Graves, Dr. Lancelot Johnston, and Starling Gunn.<ref name="auto3"/> 

Following the war, the county experienced notable social changes. A small number of [[free negro|free Black]] families moved to the area. Most of the men had served in the [[Continental Army]] or [[Continental Navy|Navy]].<ref>{{cite web|title=List of Free African Americans in the Revolution: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, and Delaware|url=http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/revolution.htm|access-date=August 12, 2021}}</ref> Usually skilled in a trade, they farmed in a manner similar to yeoman farmers but did not have equal rights. They often faced barriers such as limited access to fertile land, fewer legal protections, and social discrimination, which constrained their opportunities for economic advancement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=African Americans - Part 2: Life under slavery {{!}} NCpedia |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/african-americans/life-under-slavery |access-date=November 11, 2022 |website=www.ncpedia.org}}</ref>

Caswell County's significant population growth during this period necessitated advancements in governance and infrastructure. In 1786, a special state census ranked it as the second-largest county with a population of 9,839—trailing only [[Halifax County, North Carolina|Halifax County]], which had 489 more inhabitants.<ref name="auto3"/> By the mid-1780s, no county courthouse had been built, prompting the [[North Carolina General Assembly|General Assembly]] to pass another act authorizing the construction of public buildings. As a result, a courthouse was established at Leasburg, which was incorporated in 1788 as the county’s first official seat of government.{{sfn|Corbitt|2000|p=59}}

In February 1792, the eastern half of the county was legally separated to form [[Person County, North Carolina|Person County]]. Following this division, Caswell County's seat of government was relocated from Leasburg to a more central location. The community hosting the new [[county seat]] was originally called Caswell Court House. In 1833, the name was changed to [[Yanceyville]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Formation of the North Carolina Counties, 1663-1943|url=https://digital.ncdcr.gov/Documents/Detail/the-formation-of-the-north-carolina-counties-1663-1943/3692099?item=4798830|access-date=April 22, 2024}}</ref>

===Industrialization and growth===
====Early 19th century to World War II====
In the early 1800s, Caswell County's wealthy landowners were moving away from [[agricultural diversification|diversified farming]] and accelerating toward tobacco as a single cash crop. This agricultural conversion considerably affected the growth of the enslaved population, which rose 54 percent from 1800 to 1810.<ref name="auto6"/>

In 1810, the village of Caswell Court House (later [[Yanceyville]]) had one store and a [[hattery]], two [[taverns]], and approximately fifteen homes. Not long thereafter, silversmiths, blacksmiths, wheelwrights, coachmakers, and other tradesmen began opening businesses. Attorneys, doctors, preachers, and politicians were also drawn to the growing village and county seat.<ref name="sketch">{{cite web| title=Historical Sketch| url=https://ncccha.org/memoranda/yanceyville.html|access-date=May 11, 2022}}</ref>

Around 1830, the "Boom Era" began and continued until the [[American Civil War]]. During this period, the county experienced significant growth, characterized by the growth of flour and lumber mills. One of the era’s most notable achievements was the renowned furniture craftsmanship of [[Thomas Day (cabinetmaker)|Thomas Day]], a free Black businessman in [[Milton, North Carolina|Milton]], whose creations are now celebrated as a major contribution to American decorative arts.<ref>{{cite web| title=Thomas Day, Black Craftsman| url=https://www.ncpedia.org/anchor/thomas-day-black-craftsman|access-date=May 12, 2025}}</ref>

Additionally, this period saw the development of a cotton factory, a foundry, and a silk company. In Yanceyville, roads were improved and formally named by 1841. By 1852, the town had grown prosperous enough to charter the Bank of Yanceyville, which boasted one of the highest market capitalizations in the state.<ref name="sketch"/>

[[File:Recto Bank of Yanceyville (North Carolina) 20 dollars 1856 urn-3 HBS.Baker.AC 1141665.jpeg|thumb|Bank of Yanceyville 20-dollar banknote from 1856]]

In 1839, on Abisha Slade's farm in [[Purley, North Carolina|Purley]], an enslaved man named Stephen discovered the [[Types of tobacco|bright leaf tobacco]] [[flue-cured tobacco|flue-curing]] process.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bright Leaf Tobacco|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/anchor/bright-leaf-tobacco|publisher=NCpedia.org|access-date=July 8, 2021}}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{cite web| title=History of Caswell County| url=https://ncccha.org/memoranda/caswellcounty.html| publisher=NCCCHA.org|access-date=August 3, 2021}}</ref> 
Slade perfected the curing method in 1856. The following year, his farm harvested {{convert|20000|lb|kg}} of bright leaf tobacco on 100 acres of land, and the crop was sold at an exorbitant price in [[Lynchburg, Virginia]]. Slade taught the flue-curing technique to many farmers in the area and elsewhere. Bright leaf tobacco became popular with smokers and North Carolina growers gained a dominant position in the tobacco industry as a result.<ref>{{cite web| title=Slade, Abisha| url=https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/slade-abisha|access-date=August 18, 2021}}</ref>

The skyrocketing tobacco economy enriched many local residents. The lifestyle of many yeoman farmers shifted to that of planters.<ref name="auto6"/> Many of the newly wealthy built [[Greek Revival architecture|Greek Revival-style]] homes and sent their children to private academies.<ref name="auto3"/><ref>{{cite web| title=Architecture|url=https://ncccha.org/memoranda/architecture.html |access-date=March 30, 2025}}</ref> However, the majority of Caswell County's inhabitants did not benefit. By 1850, enslaved African Americans accounted for 52 percent of the county's population.<ref>{{cite web| title=Historical Perspectives of Caswell County|url=https://ncccha.org/memoranda/mcphersonmemo.html|access-date=August 10, 2021}}</ref>

By 1856, tobacco overshadowed all other forms of enterprise in Caswell County. Tobacco warehouses and manufacturing & processing plants dotted the skyline, with the largest centers located in Yanceyville and Milton.<ref name="auto6"/> The growth of the industry and increase in raw tobacco production created an expanding need for labor. The number of enslaved people grew to 9,355 in 1860, from a total of 4,299 in 1810 and 2,788 in 1800.<ref name="auto6"/> 
 
There were 26 free Black inhabitants residing in Caswell County in 1800, 90 in 1810, and 282 in 1860. The [[White Americans|white]] population declined from a peak of 8,399 in 1850 to 6,578 in 1860. This was due to the western migration of small-scale farmers who were unable to compete with the larger tobacco planters.<ref name="auto6"/>

In 1858, at the tail end of the opulent Boom Era, construction began on [[Caswell County Courthouse]]. Built using enslaved labor, it was completed in 1861 during the onset of the Civil War.<ref>{{cite web| title=Yanceyville in "Life" Magazine: 1941|date=April 26, 2022 |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/ncccha/albums/72157600235212771|access-date=April 28, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Percival, William (fl. 1850s)|url=https://ncarchitects.lib.ncsu.edu/people/P000124|access-date=April 28, 2022}}</ref>

After the war, the county continued its economic dependence on tobacco and was averse to agricultural diversification. The [[Second Industrial Revolution]] in varying degrees passed it by. Other than a few tobacco mills, there was an absence of industry and no railroad.<ref name="auto3"/> The population significantly diminished until 1910 when it began to increase.<ref name="cen"/> By then, Yanceyville and [[Semora, North Carolina|Semora]] had phone service.<ref>{{cite journal| title=A Telephone Map of the United States Shows Where You Could Call Using Ma Bell in 1910| journal=Slate| date=March 16, 2015| url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2015/03/history-of-the-american-telephone-system-map-of-bell-coverage-in-1910.html|access-date=August 3, 2021| last1=Onion| first1=Rebecca}}</ref>

The county's population kept growing through the 1920s. To provide better public facilities, the [[Caswell County Schools|Caswell County Board of Education]] initiated school improvement projects.<ref>{{cite web| title=National Register of Historic Places: Caswell County Training School| url=https://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/nr/CS0081.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508160528/https://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/nr/CS0081.pdf |archive-date=May 8, 2019 |url-status=live|access-date=August 3, 2021}}</ref> During this time in 1926, [[Caswell Messenger|''The Caswell Messenger'']] began publication.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Messenger |first=The Caswell |title=caswellmessenger.com {{!}} Serving Caswell County since 1926 |url=https://www.caswellmessenger.com/ |access-date=November 11, 2022 |website=The Caswell Messenger |language=en}}</ref> However, during the [[Great Depression]], many farmers and local businesses struggled with economic hardship, falling crop prices, and limited access to credit.

In 1937, the Yanceyville [[Rotary International|Rotary Club]] was founded and its members successfully pioneered economic and community development projects.<ref name="auto10"/> [[FDR|Roosevelt's]] [[New Deal]] programs during the Depression years, improved farming techniques starting in the 1940s, and the economic impact of [[World War II]]  also contributed significantly to revitalizing the area.<ref name="sketch"/><ref name="auto3"/>

====Post–World War II to early 21st century====
After World War II, as Caswell County and the broader United States returned to civilian life, it became evident that new efforts were needed to overcome longstanding economic barriers. County leaders in the 1950s and 1960s recognized that economic advancement depended on developing sufficient water resources for industrial expansion, improving infrastructure such as roads, providing new and diverse county-wide services, increasing cultural resources, and operating local government in a more business-like manner.{{sfn|Powell|1977}} The history of Caswell County in the second half of the 20th century is marked by significant progress in these areas, though critical needs persisted. Moreover, the county's heritage from the earlier Boom Era of bright leaf tobacco and Greek Revival architecture served as both an opportunity and a challenge.{{sfn|Powell|1977}}

By 1950, Caswell County reached a peak of 20,870 inhabitants, which was not surpassed until the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]].<ref>{{cite web| title=United States Census Bureau| url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.1950.html|access-date=August 7, 2021}}</ref> The economic upswing of the 1950s saw new businesses entering the area. This included the opening of a meatpacking operation in 1956 in the county's southwest corner. Between the mid-1950s and mid-1980s, the county also attracted textile mills to Yanceyville.<ref>{{cite web| title=Caswell County Textile Industry| url=https://ncccha.org/pdf/textilemills/caswellcountytextilemillhistory.pdf|access-date=December 26, 2022}}</ref> Such growth enabled the local government to broaden its tax base and see increases in [[public revenue]].<ref name="auto3"/>

As the county entered the 21st century, it faced the aftermath of [[Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement|a crisis in the tobacco industry]], the urgent need for economic development in light of the [[Information Age]], and a national trend toward [[heritage tourism]] as a means of economic growth.<ref name="Yanceyville"/> Caswell County's economy continued to develop, diversify, and shift its growth away from tobacco production. Business and entrepreneurial activity increased due to the area's location, commercial properties, land primed for development, relatively low property tax rate, and other factors.<ref name="Yanceyville">{{cite web| title=History of Yanceyville| url=https://yanceyvillenc.gov/living-in-yanceyville/|access-date=June 7, 2022}}</ref><ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=https://allincaswellnc.com/business-and-entrepreneurship|title=Business & Entrepreneurship|publisher=AllinCaswellNC.com|access-date=July 13, 2021}}</ref>

===Civil War period===
In May 1861, North Carolina, albeit with some reluctance, joined [[Confederate States of America|the Confederacy]], which by then was at war with [[Union (American Civil War)|the Union]].<ref name="Civil War"/><ref>{{cite web| title=Secession| url=https://northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/secession/| access-date=August 20, 2021}}</ref> Caswell County provided troops, clothing, food, and tobacco in support of the war effort. Companies A, C, and D of the North Carolina Thirteenth Regiment consisted almost entirely of county enlistments. The area's soldiers fought in every major Civil War battle and there were many casualties.<ref name="auto7"/><ref name="auto6"/>

In Caswell County in January 1862, a significant number of African Americans [[Fugitive slaves in the United States|fled slavery]]. Seven [[slave patrol|patrol squads]] comprising 34 individuals were dispatched to [[Yanceyville, North Carolina|Yanceyville]] in search of them.<ref name="auto7">{{cite web| title=   	Civil War (1861–1865)| url=https://ncccha.org/memoranda/civilwar/civilwar.html| publisher=NCCCHA.org|access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref> It is unknown if any were able to find safe haven behind Union lines.

In the spring of 1862, salt used for meat preservation was rationed, which was a statewide measure. As the war raged on, the county's inhabitants faced food shortages. Daily necessities were in short supply. [[Speculation|Speculators]] benefitted while most remained in need.<ref name="auto7"/>

The minutes of the Caswell County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions from January 1863 to July 1866 were either lost or destroyed. Consequently, it is difficult for researchers to ascertain what was occurring in the county's court system during this period.<ref name="auto7" />

At the [[1860 United States census|1860 U.S. census]], 58.7 percent of Caswell County's population was enslaved.<ref>{{cite web| title=Map showing the distribution of the slave population of the southern states of the United States. Compiled from the census of 1860 | website=[[Library of Congress]] | url=https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3861e.cw0013200/?r=0.684,0.158,0.255,0.121,0|access-date=April 28, 2022}}</ref> Due to the [[Emancipation Proclamation]] in January 1863, enslaved African Americans in Confederate territory were recognized as free individuals by the executive branch of the [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. federal government]]. They gained military protection upon crossing into Union-controlled areas or through the advance of federal troops.<ref>{{cite web| title=The Emancipation Proclamation| date=October 6, 2015| url=https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured-documents/emancipation-proclamation| access-date=July 3, 2022}}</ref>

Many African Americans likely either fled or attempted to flee the area between 1863 and the war's end. Most remained confined behind Confederate lines until Union forces occupied much of the state during the [[Carolinas campaign]] in 1865.<ref name="Civil War">{{cite web| title=North Carolina in the Civil War| url=https://www.ncpedia.org/history/cw-1900/civil-war| publisher=NCPedia.org|access-date=August 7, 2021}}</ref>

===Reconstruction era===
After the Civil War during [[Reconstruction era|Reconstruction]], the pattern of daily life in Caswell County dramatically changed. [[Antebellum South|The previous plantation way of life]] had disappeared. Small farmers fell into deeper poverty. Abandoned land and eroded soil permeated the landscape. The area faced a decreased standard of living and insufficient public revenue for services that governments ordinarily provided.<ref name="auto6" />{{sfn|Powell|1977}}

Many whites in the county resented the war's outcome as did others in the North Carolina [[Piedmont (United States)|Piedmont]] area. Regional newspapers actively fomented their bitterness. When Congressional Reconstruction was established in 1867,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/reconstruction-part-2-fourteenth|title=Reconstruction, by Allen W. Trelease, 2006|access-date=July 7, 2022}}</ref> a large segment of residents characterized it as an effort by [[Radical Republicans]] to force Black [[suffrage]] upon them. A significant number began flocking to the Conservative Party, which was a coalition of the prewar [[North Carolina Democratic Party|Democratic Party]] and old-line [[Whig Party (United States)|Whigs]].<ref name="auto13">{{cite web|title=The Kirk-Holden War of 1870 and the Failure of Reconstruction in North Carolina|url=http://dl.uncw.edu/Etd/2010-3/brissonj/jimbrisson.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808211700/http://dl.uncw.edu/etd/2010-3/brissonj/jimbrisson.pdf |archive-date=August 8, 2017 |url-status=live|access-date=August 7, 2021}}</ref>

African Americans in the area had experienced immense jubilation when informed of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Their freedom was then safeguarded by Union troops, the [[Freedmen's Bureau]], and the protection of the [[Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Thirteenth Amendment]]. However, in 1866 restrictive state laws called [[Black Codes (United States)|"Black Codes"]] were passed in North Carolina by former Confederate legislators who had returned to power as Conservatives.<ref>{{cite web|title=Black Codes |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/black-codes|access-date=August 7, 2021}}</ref> Enacted to regain control over African Americans, these laws were nullified by congressional [[Civil Rights Act of 1866|civil rights legislation]] later in 1866.<ref>{{cite web|title=Black Codes in North Carolina, 1866 |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/anchor/primary-source-black-codes|access-date=November 13, 2022}}</ref>

In 1868 and 1869, the [[North Carolina General Assembly of 1868–1869|Republican-controlled General Assembly]] ratified the [[Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Fourteenth]] and [[Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Fifteenth]] Amendments respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ncpedia.org/reconstruction-part-3-statewide-c|title=Reconstruction|access-date=July 7, 2022}}</ref> Ensuring the right to vote regardless of race, [[Discrimination based on skin color|color]], or previous condition of servitude, the Fifteenth Amendment became a part of the [[U.S. Constitution]] in February 1870.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/education/all_amendments_usconst.htm|work=University of Minnesota Human Rights Library|title=All Amendments to the United States Constitution}}</ref> In [[1870 United States census|that year's U.S. census]], African Americans represented approximately 59 percent of Caswell County's population.<ref>{{cite web|title=North Carolina Counties – U.S. Census Bureau, 1870|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-22.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224062626/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-22.pdf |archive-date=February 24, 2019 |url-status=live|access-date=July 3, 2022}}</ref> Over a span of five years from 1865 to 1870, they had gained constitutional protection from slavery and voting rights. They could seek employment, use public accommodations, acquire land, and participate in the political process.<ref>{{cite web|title=The African American Odyssey: A Quest for Full Citizenship|website=[[Library of Congress]] |date=February 9, 1998 |url=https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/african-american-odyssey/reconstruction.html|access-date=July 3, 2022}}</ref>

In January 1868, thirteen African American delegates representing 19 majority-Black counties attended the state's constitutional convention in [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]]. They were North Carolina's first Black Caucus. Their members included a Republican legislator from Caswell County named Wilson Carey. At the convention, he spoke out against Conservative proposals to attract white immigrants to North Carolina. Carey felt the focus should instead be on African American North Carolinians who had built up the state.<ref>{{cite web|title=Constitutional Convention, 1868: "Black Caucus"
|url=https://ncpedia.org/history/cw-1900/black-caucus|access-date=August 9, 2021}}</ref>

The 1868 constitutional convention passed resolutions that included the abolition of slavery, the adoption of universal male suffrage, the removal of property and religious qualifications for voting and office holding, and the establishment of a uniform public school system. Because the convention gave North Carolina a new constitution in 1868 that protected the rights of African Americans, the state was readmitted to the Union that same year on [[Independence Day (United States)|July 4]] upon ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment.<ref name="Reconstruction"/>

Enfranchising African Americans with the right to vote in elections was anathema to county and statewide Conservative Party members. This was not only due to their [[white supremacy]] but also because it threatened their power. Their animosity toward white and Black [[North Carolina Republican Party|Republicans]] had begun to skyrocket when Republican gubernatorial candidate [[William W. Holden]] endorsed universal male suffrage at the party's state convention in March 1867.<ref name="auto13" /> The suffrage resolution's passage and Holden's victory in 1868 substantially added to the continuing friction. This growing tension helped make Caswell County and the region a hotbed of [[Ku Klux Klan]] activity that same year. African Americans and their supporters in the area were subsequently subjected to a heinous campaign of violence, intimidation, and murder to prevent them from voting.<ref name="auto13" />

As Klan violence in Caswell County escalated in 1870, the Republican state senator of the area, [[John W. Stephens]], became increasingly fearful of attack.{{sfn|Brisson|2011|pp=137–139}} On May 21, he went to the courthouse in Yanceyville to convince the former Democratic county sheriff, Frank A. Wiley, to seek re-election as a Republican with his support and thus achieve a political reconciliation in the county.{{sfn|Brisson|2011|p=139}} Wiley had secretly agreed to work with the Klan and lured Stephens into a trap, whereby he was choked with a rope and stabbed to death by Klansmen in a vacant courthouse room. The county’s sheriff, Jessie C. Griffith, himself a Klansman and prominent Conservative, made little effort to investigate the assassination.{{sfn|Brisson|2011|pp=139–140}}

Holden was disgusted by the murder of Stephens.{{sfn|Brisson|2011|p=141}} Conferring with his advisers, he decided to [[Kirk–Holden war|raise a militia to combat the Klan]] in Caswell and nearby [[Alamance County]].{{sfn|Brisson|2011|p=143}} On July 8, he declared Caswell County to be in a state of insurrection.{{sfn|Ashe|1925|p=1114}} About 350 militiamen, led by Colonel [[George Washington Kirk]], arrived on July 18 and established headquarters in Yanceyville.{{sfn|Brisson|2011|p=146}} The militia arrested 19 men in the county as well as several dozen more in Alamance County, and Klan activities in both counties promptly ceased.{{sfn|Brisson|2011|pp=146–147}} The prisoners were initially denied ''[[habeas corpus]]'' before being turned over to local courts, which did not convict any of the accused.{{sfn|Brisson|2011|pp=148–152}} On November 10, Holden declared that there was no longer a state of insurrection in Alamance and Caswell counties.{{sfn|Brisson|2011|p=152}}

In December 1870, the state legislature, which had a Conservative majority that had come into power on the heels of the political backlash they had spearheaded against Holden over the incident, impeached him on eight charges. He was convicted on six of them and removed from office in March 1871. Holden's departure severely weakened the Republican Party in the state.<ref name="auto13"/>

The Conservative Party proceeded to institute white supremacy in state government in 1876.<ref name="Reconstruction"/> They dropped the name "Conservative" that same year to become the Democratic Party of North Carolina.<ref>{{cite web|title=Conservative Party|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/conservative-party|access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref> When federal troops left the next year, ending Reconstruction, the stage was set for the passage of [[Jim Crow laws]].<ref name="Reconstruction">{{cite web|title=Reconstruction in North Carolina|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/anchor/reconstruction-north|access-date=August 4, 2021}}</ref>

===Civil rights movement===
In the 20th century, during the era of [[school segregation in the United States]], many African American students in Caswell County attended [[Caswell County Training School]], which was renamed Caswell County High School in the 1960s.<ref name="auto88"/> [[Vanessa Siddle Walker]]'s 1996 book, ''[[Their Highest Potential: An African American School Community in the Segregated South]]'', provides detailed insights into this school, now a designated site on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Caswell County, North Carolina|National Register of Historic Places in Caswell County]].

By the end of the 1960s, Caswell County's public schools were beginning to fully [[school integration|integrate]]. A decade and a half earlier in 1954, the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] ruled in [[Brown v. Board of Education]] that [[Racial segregation in the United States|racial segregation]] in public schools was unconstitutional. In a later decision by the Court in May 1955 known as ''Brown II'', school districts were given the ambiguous order to desegregate "with all deliberate speed."<ref>{{cite web|title=Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka|date=August 15, 2016
|url=https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2004/spring/brown-v-board-1.html
|access-date=July 11, 2021}}</ref> Like many school boards in [[Southern United States|the South]] at the time, the Caswell County Board of Education interpreted the Court's ambiguity in a manner that served to delay, obstruct, and slow the process of racially integrating its schools.<ref>[http://www.crmvet.org/tim/timhis55.htm#1955ads The "Brown II," "All Deliberate Speed" Decision] ~ Civil Rights Movement Archive</ref><ref name="ncpedia">{{cite web|title=The Pupil Assignment Act: North Carolina's Response to Brown v. Board of Education|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/anchor/pupil-reassignment-act-north-carolina|access-date=August 12, 2021}}</ref>

The Board of Education's resistance to integration had already been emboldened by North Carolina's passage of the Pupil Assignment Act in April 1955. The legislation gave county school boards full school placement authority.<ref name="ncpedia"/> Driven by the act's power, the [[Pearsall Plan|Pearshall Plan's]] passage, and the prevailing anti-integration sentiment of the white community, the school district kept assigning children to schools in a segregated manner.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web|title=Caswell County History, Web Log – Caswell County, North Carolina: School Integration|url=https://ncccha.org/index.html#contents|publisher=NCCCHA.org|access-date=July 26, 2021}}</ref>

In response to these developments, fifteen local African American parents presented a petition to the school district in August 1956 calling for the abolition of segregation, which the board refused to consider. Undeterred, the parents organized protests that included the [[NAACP]]. A [[Federal judiciary of the United States|federal]] lawsuit was subsequently filed in December 1956 asking for the immediate desegregation of Caswell County and North Carolina schools.<ref>"Desegregation Action is Filed," ''[[The News & Observer]]'' (Raleigh, NC), December 11, 1956, p1</ref>

In August 1957, 43 local students, many of whom were plaintiffs via their parents in the federal court case, applied for admission to public schools that were closer to their homes than the segregated ones they had been assigned.<ref>"43 Negroes Seek Entry into Schools," ''[[The Charlotte Observer]]'' (Charlotte, NC), August 6, 1957, p4-A</ref> The school board denied their applications and continued to reject them through 1962.<ref name="auto2"/> Nevertheless, the federal lawsuit kept moving forward.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jeffers v. Whitley, 197 F. Supp. 84 (M.D.N.C. 1961) |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/197/84/1419662/ |access-date=November 11, 2022 |website=Justia Law |language=en}}</ref>

In December 1961, [[U.S. District Court]] Judge [[Edwin M. Stanley]] ruled that two brothers, Charlie and Fred Saunders, could promptly attend Archibald Murphey Elementary School, a now-closed, formerly all-white school near [[Milton, North Carolina|Milton]]. However, when the new semester began in January, they did not enroll. The [[Ku Klux Klan#Third Klan|Ku Klux Klan]] had sent a threatening letter to the Saunders family previously.<ref name="auto9">"Caswell Negroes' Appeal Step Taken," ''The Charlotte Observer'' (Charlotte, NC), January 31, 1962, p12-A</ref> 

According to an affidavit submitted by the children's father, C.H. Saunders Sr., the KKK's threats caused him to miss a school board reassignment hearing ordered by the judge in August 1961, prior to his final judgment. Saunders also stated that he would be agreeable to transferring schools if his children's protection at Murphey Elementary could be assured.<ref name="auto9"/>
 
A year after the Saunders decision, Stanley ruled that the school district had been improperly administering the Pupil Assignment Act. In December 1962, he told the school boards of Caswell County and the city of [[Durham, North Carolina|Durham]] to allow every schoolchild complete freedom of choice regarding school placement.<ref>"Judge Rules on School Integration," ''The Charlotte Observer'' (Charlotte, NC), December 22, 1962, p1</ref> On January 22, 1963, sixteen African American schoolchildren enrolled in four of the county's previously all-white schools.<ref name="auto2"/>

On their first day of school, a group of white men harassed and threatened one of the parents, Jasper Brown, who was a local [[American civil rights movement|civil rights]] leader and farmer. As Brown drove home, the men pursued and menaced him. Following a rear-end collision, the driver of the other vehicle exited with a firearm. Fearing for his life, Brown exchanged gunfire with the men, wounding two of them, before turning himself in to the police.<ref>"Two Area Men Wounded: Caswell Scene Now Calm," ''The Daily Times-News'' (Burlington, NC), January 23, 1963, p1</ref><ref name="auto2"/> The incident was soon reported to Attorney General [[Robert F. Kennedy]] due to its gravity.<ref>"Two White Men Wounded in Caswell Integration," ''The News & Observer'' (Raleigh, NC), January 23, 1963, p1</ref>

Several months later, Brown was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon and served 90 days in jail. While awaiting trial, white men bombed his yard.{{sfn|Brown|2004|pp=53-57,78-79}} His four children and the 12 others who integrated the county's schools were physically threatened and emotionally abused throughout the semester. Despite requests from the NAACP and concerned families, no police protection was provided. Furthermore, the Board of Education refused to arrange school bus transportation.<ref>"Suit Claims Pupil Abuse in Caswell," ''The News & Observer'' (Raleigh, NC), March 19, 1963, p9</ref><ref name="auto2"/>

By late 1967, only 57 African American children out of a Black student population of approximately 3,000 were attending integrated public schools in Caswell County.<ref>"Caswell Hearing Recessed," ''The News & Observer'' (Raleigh, NC), August 17, 1966, p3</ref><ref name="auto2"/> While there had been some faculty integration, the less than two percent enrollment rate effectively upheld segregation. The school district's integration plan had not fostered sufficient desegregation.<ref name="auto1">"Caswell Answers Questions on School Desegregation," ''[[Danville Register & Bee|The Danville Register]]'' (Danville, VA), December 21, 1966, p1</ref> Its  "[[Freedom of Choice (schools)|freedom of choice]]" plan placed the burden of integration on individual African American students and parents, requiring them to cross the color line voluntarily.<ref name="auto1"/> If they did so, they faced [[social stigma]], severe discrimination, and other hardships. Consequently, many families, though supportive of integration efforts, chose to keep their children safe in valued [[Black schools]] such as Caswell County High School.<ref name="auto88">{{cite web| title=Caswell County Training School,1933–1969: Relationships between Community and School|url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ad0d247af209613040b9ceb/t/5d45d0afd73cd50001170896/1564856499519/haer.63.2.ejr4135v5t426533.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726175006/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ad0d247af209613040b9ceb/t/5d45d0afd73cd50001170896/1564856499519/haer.63.2.ejr4135v5t426533.pdf |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |url-status=live| publisher=Harvard Educational Review| access-date=July 26, 2020}}</ref><ref name="auto2"/>

The school district's low integration rate resulted in the [[U.S. Office of Education]] citing the county in 1966 as one of seven in the state that were not in compliance with its civil rights [[Civil Rights Act of 1964|Title IV]] guidelines. The bureau began taking steps to cut off federal funding.<ref>"Caswell Notified Compliance Lacking for U.S. Funds," ''The Danville Register'' (Danville, VA), December 6, 1966, p1</ref> The school district was not in full compliance with federal integration standards until 1969.<ref name="auto">"Judge Rules Caswell in Compliance," ''The News & Observer'' (Raleigh, NC), April 11, 1969, p3</ref> In that year, the Caswell County Board of Education implemented a plan for complete desegregation after Judge Stanley ordered the school district in August 1968 to integrate starting in the 1969–1970 school year.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=0fEeU3FD9nUC&dq=%22on+29+august+1968%22&pg=PA192 ''Their Highest Potential: An African American School Community in the Segregated South''] by Vanessa Siddle Walker (University of North Carolina Press, 1996) p192</ref><ref>"Caswell Ordered To Integrate," ''The Daily Times-News'' (Burlington, NC), August 24, 1968, p1</ref><ref name="auto2"/>

When school integration and consolidation subsequently occurred, [[Bartlett Yancey High School]] in Yanceyville became the only public high school in the county after Caswell County High School's closure in 1969.<ref>{{cite web| title=Caswell County High School|date=August 21, 2010|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/ncccha/sets/72157594494649484/| publisher=Flickr| access-date=July 23, 2020}}</ref> The closed high school building's educational use was promptly reconfigured. The new integrated school was named N.L. Dillard Junior High School in honor of the former high school's principal. Integrated elementary schools were established based on [[zoning]].<ref name="auto"/>

===Political leaders===
Caswell County has produced notable political leaders throughout its history. Such politicians include [[Donna Edwards]], [[Archibald Murphey|Archibald Debow Murphey]], [[Romulus Mitchell Saunders]], and [[Bartlett Yancey, Jr.]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Edwards, Donna - Biographical Information|url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/E000290|website=bioguide.congress.gov|access-date=November 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/murphey-archibald-debow|title=Murphey, Archibald Debow|access-date=November 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/S000078|title=Saunders, Romulus Mitchell - Biographical Information|website=bioguide.congress.gov|access-date=November 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=Y000001|title=Yancey, Bartlett - Biographical Information|website=bioguide.congress.gov|access-date=November 13, 2022}}</ref>

Legislators from the county had considerable influence on state politics during the first half of the 19th century.<ref name="auto3"/> Bartlett Yancey was speaker of the [[North Carolina Senate]] from 1817 to 1827. Romulus Mitchell Saunders was concurrently speaker of the [[North Carolina House of Commons]] from 1819 to 1820.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/saunders-romulus-mitchell|title=Saunders, Romulus Mitchell|access-date=November 13, 2022}}</ref>

Archibald D. Murphey has been called the "Father of Education" in North Carolina. Serving as a state senator, he proposed a publicly financed system of education in 1817. Murphey also made proposals regarding [[internal improvements]] and constitutional reform.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-newnation/5114|title=Archibald Murphey – North Carolina Digital History|access-date=August 5, 2021}}</ref>

Donna Edwards is a former U.S. congresswoman. Before entering [[U.S. Congress|Congress]], she was the executive director of the [[National Network to End Domestic Violence]], which provides advocacy and legal support to [[Domestic violence|battered women]]. She worked to pass the [[Violence Against Women Act of 1994]]. In 2015, Edwards and other members of Congress introduced the Restoring Education and Learning Act (REAL Act) to reinstate [[Pell Grant]]s to prisoners.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2711979|title=Keeping It REAL: Why Congress Must Act to Restore Pell Grant Funding for Prisoners|date=January 6, 2016 |ssrn=2711979 |access-date=August 5, 2021}}</ref>

===Depiction in the arts===
Writers including [[Alex Haley]] and artists such as [[Maud Gatewood]] have commented on Caswell County's history in their work. The county was briefly referenced in Haley's 1977 television miniseries [[Roots (1977 miniseries)|Roots]]. It was cited as the location of champion cock fighter Tom Moore's ([[Chuck Connors]]) plantation.<ref>{{cite web| title=   	Caswell County Genealogy| url=https://caswellcountync.org/getperson.php?personID=I17761&tree=tree1| publisher=CaswellCountyNC.org|access-date=November 25, 2022}}</ref> When Gatewood designed the county seal in 1974, she added two large tobacco leaves as a symbol of the crop's long prominence in the area.<ref>{{cite web| title= Tobacco: Historical Sketch| url=https://ncccha.org/memoranda/tobacco.html|access-date=November 25, 2022}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=9|id=Q504428|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Caswell County}}
[[File:Hyco Lake, North Carolina.jpg|alt=Hyco Lake, North Carolina|thumb|right|Hyco Lake]]
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|428.71|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|425.37|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|3.34|sqmi}} (0.78%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2022 |title=2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_37.txt |access-date=September 9, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> It is bordered by Person, Orange, Alamance, and Rockingham counties, and the state of Virginia.{{sfn|Powell|1976|p=93}} The [[Dan River (Virginia)|Dan River]] flows through a part of the county. [[Hyco Lake]] is an important water source and popular recreational site.<ref name="ncpedia 2">{{cite web| last=Powell|first=William S.|date=2006| title=Caswell County | url=https://www.ncpedia.org/geography/caswell|website=NCPedia|publisher=North Carolina Government & Heritage Library|access-date=July 12, 2021}}</ref>

For a comprehensive overview of Caswell County's geography see ''When the Past Refused to Die: A History of Caswell County North Carolina 1777–1977'', by [[William S. Powell]] (1977) at 1–22.<ref>{{cite web| title=Geography: Overview| url=https://sites.rootsweb.com/~ncccha/memoranda/geography.html| publisher=Caswell County Historical Association|access-date=February 20, 2022}}</ref>

===State and local protected areas===
* [[Conservators Center, Burlington|Animal Park at the Conservators Center]]
* [[R. Wayne Bailey-Caswell Game Land]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=NCWRC Game Lands |url=https://www.ncpaws.org/ncwrcmaps/gamelands |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=www.ncpaws.org}}</ref>

===Major water bodies===
* [[Country Line Creek]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Country Line Creek (in Caswell County, NC) |url=https://northcarolina.hometownlocator.com/maps/feature-map,ftc,1,fid,983606,n,country%20line%20creek.cfm|access-date=November 28, 2022|website=northcarolina.hometownlocator.com}}</ref>
* [[Dan River (Virginia)|Dan River]]
* [[S.R. Farmer Lake (North Carolina)|S.R. Farmer Lake]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=FARMER LAKE {{!}} Caswell County {{!}} NC |url=https://www.caswellcountync.gov/farmer-lake |access-date=June 16, 2022 |website=Caswell County NC |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Hogans Creek (North Carolina)|Hogans Creek]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hogans Creek (in Caswell County, NC) |url=https://northcarolina.hometownlocator.com/maps/feature-map,ftc,1,fid,986902,n,hogans%20creek.cfm |access-date=June 16, 2022 |website=northcarolina.hometownlocator.com}}</ref>
* [[Hyco Creek]]
* [[Hyco Lake]]
* [[Lynch Creek (Hyco Creek tributary)|Lynch Creek]]
* [[Moon Creek (North Carolina)|Moon Creek]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moon Creek (in Caswell County, NC) |url=https://northcarolina.hometownlocator.com/maps/feature-map,ftc,1,fid,990167,n,moon%20creek.cfm |access-date=June 16, 2022 |website=northcarolina.hometownlocator.com}}</ref>
* [[North Fork Rattlesnake Creek (North Carolina)|North Fork Rattlesnake Creek]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=North Fork Rattlesnake Creek (in Caswell County, NC) |url=https://northcarolina.hometownlocator.com/maps/feature-map,ftc,1,fid,991228,n,north%20fork%20rattlesnake%20creek.cfm |access-date=June 16, 2022 |website=northcarolina.hometownlocator.com}}</ref>
* [[South Hyco Creek]]
* [[Sugartree Creek (South Hyco Creek tributary)|Sugartree Creek]]
* [[Wildwood Lake (North Carolina)|Wildwood Lake]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Novak |first=Steven |title=Fish Wildwood Lake – Caswell County, North Carolina |url=https://www.lake-link.com/north-carolina-lakes/caswell/wildwood-lake/321373/ |access-date=June 16, 2022 |website=Lake-Link}}</ref>

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Person County, North Carolina|Person County]] – east
* [[Orange County, North Carolina|Orange County]] – southeast
* [[Alamance County, North Carolina|Alamance County]] – south
* [[Rockingham County, North Carolina|Rockingham County]] – west
* [[Pittsylvania County, Virginia]] – north
* [[Halifax County, Virginia]] – north
* [[Danville, Virginia]] ([[Independent city (United States)|independent city]]) – north

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 10096
|1800= 8701
|1810= 11757
|1820= 13253
|1830= 15185
|1840= 14693
|1850= 15269
|1860= 16215
|1870= 16081
|1880= 17825
|1890= 16028
|1900= 15028
|1910= 14858
|1920= 15759
|1930= 18214
|1940= 20032
|1950= 20870
|1960= 19912
|1970= 19055
|1980= 20705
|1990= 20693
|2000= 23501
|2010= 23719
|2020= 22736
|estyear=2023
|estimate=22807
|estref=<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 13, 2015}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 13, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref name="cen">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nc190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=January 13, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=January 13, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref>{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37033.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606234919/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37033.html|archive-date=June 6, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> 2020<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/caswellcountynorthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Caswell County, North Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 21, 2024}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Caswell County racial composition<ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US37033&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 22, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 14,036
| 61.73%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 6,804
| 29.93%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 65
| 0.29%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 61
| 0.27%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
| 13
| 0.06%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 755
| 3.32%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 1,002
| 4.41%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 22,736 people and an estimated 8,993 households and 6,186 families residing in the county. In 2020, the estimated median age was 46.2 years. For every 100 females, there were an estimated 101.9 males.<ref name="Census 2020"/>

===2010 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Caswell County racial composition<ref name="Census 2010">{{Cite web|title=Decennial Census|url= https://data.census.gov/table?g=0500000US37033&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2 |access-date=December 25, 2022|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 14,513
| 61.19%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 7,991
| 33.69%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 70
| 0.30%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 60
| 0.25%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
| 4
| 0.02%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 337
| 1.42%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 744
| 3.14%
|}

At the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 23,719 people and an estimated 8,788 households and 6,345 families residing in Caswell County.<ref name="Census 2010"/> In 2010, the estimated median age was 42.8 years. For every 100 females, there were an estimated 103.7 males.<ref name="ACS">{{Cite web|title=American Community Survey|url= https://data.census.gov/table?g=0500000US37033&tid=ACSST5Y2010.S0101|access-date=December 25, 2022|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> there were 23,501 people and an estimated 8,670 households and 6,398 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|55|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 9,601 housing units at an average density of {{convert|23|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 61.07% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 36.52% [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 1.77% [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]], 0.19% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.15% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.17% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.86% from two or more races.

Out of the 8,670 households, 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.20% were married couples living together, 14.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.20% were non-families. 23.20% of all households consisted of individuals living alone and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.01.

The age distribution of the county's population consisted of 23.20% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 30.10% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,018 and the median income for a family was $41,905. Males had a median income of $28,968 versus $22,339 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,470. About 10.90% of families and 14.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.30% of those under age 18 and 21.10% of those age 65 and over.

==Government and politics==
Seated in [[Yanceyville]], Caswell County's government consists of 28 departments, an elected board of commissioners, a clerk to the board, and an appointed county manager.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.caswellcountync.gov/department-directory|title=Department Directory|publisher=CaswellCountyNC.gov|access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref> The county has additional central administration, [[Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service|Cooperative Extension]], E-911, and Juvenile Crime Prevention Council staff.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.caswellcountync.gov/staff-directory/|title=Staff Directory|publisher=CaswellCountyNC.gov|access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref> Caswell County is a member of the [[Councils of governments in North Carolina|Piedmont Triad Council of Governments]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ptrc.org/about/who-we-are-and-what-we-do|title=Who We Are and What We Do|publisher=PTRC.org|access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref> The county lies within the bounds of the 22nd Prosecutorial District, the 17A [[North Carolina Superior Court|Superior Court]] District, and the 17A District Court District.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/caswell-county| title = Caswell County| publisher = North Carolina Judicial Branch| access-date = January 11, 2023}}</ref>

{{PresHead|place=Caswell County, North Carolina|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 15, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|7,445|4,493|102|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|7,089|4,860|102|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|6,026|4,792|252|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|5,594|5,348|97|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|5,208|5,545|109|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|4,868|4,539|30|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|4,270|4,091|61|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|3,310|4,312|536|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|2,793|4,725|845|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|3,299|4,189|21|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1984|Democratic|3,992|4,157|25|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|2,156|3,529|92|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,761|3,707|21|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,983|1,922|96|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|1,036|2,137|2,851|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,793|2,513|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,272|2,832|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|1,204|2,468|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|973|2,597|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|351|1,651|397|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|492|1,923|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|351|2,335|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|207|2,493|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|169|1,858|6|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|749|936|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|467|1,075|4|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|505|1,239|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|338|849|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|154|705|45|North Carolina}}

===Elected officials===
In January 2022, Caswell County's elected officials were:<ref>{{cite web| title=Caswell County| url=https://myreps.datamade.us/#/?results_level=local,county,state,federal&address=Court%20Square%2C%20Yanceyville%2C%20NC%2C%20USA|access-date=January 19, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Caswell Government| url=https://www.caswellcountync.gov/government|access-date=January 19, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Caswell County Representation |url=https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/CountyRepresentation/Caswell |access-date=April 19, 2024 |website=North Carolina General Assembly}}</ref>

* Tony Durden, Jr. ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]), Caswell County Sheriff
* John Satterfield (D), Caswell County Clerk of Courts
* Ginny S. Mitchell (D), Caswell County [[Register of Deeds]]

Caswell County Board of Commissioners:
* Jeremiah Jefferies (D)
* Nathaniel Hall (D)
* William E. Carter (D)
* Rick McVey ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]), (chairman)
* David Owen (R), (Vice Chair)
* Steve Oestreicher (R)
* John D. Dickerson (R)

North Carolina General Assembly representatives:
* Senate: [[Graig R. Meyer]] (D–[[North Carolina's 23rd Senate district|23rd]])
* House: [[Renee Price]] (D–[[North Carolina's 50th House district|50th]])

U.S. House of Representatives: 
* [[Valerie Foushee]] (D–[[North Carolina's 4th congressional district|4th]])
* [[Kathy Manning]] (D–[[North Carolina's 6th congressional district|6th]])

==Economy==
{{Further|Yanceyville, North Carolina#Economy}} 
The economy of Caswell County is rooted in agriculture, which continues to diversify beyond tobacco cultivation. The area's location, commercial properties, land primed for development, and relatively low property tax rate have contributed to an increase in business activity and entrepreneurship.<ref>{{cite web| title=Doing Business| url=https://www.caswellcountync.gov/business|access-date=February 1, 2022}}</ref><ref name="auto4"/>

Caswell County's agricultural sector produces [[hemp]], tobacco, [[soybeans]], corn, wheat, [[oats]], [[barley]], [[hay]], [[alfalfa]], [[beef cattle]], sheep, [[swine]], and [[poultry farming|poultry]]. The county also produces minerals such as [[soapstone]], [[graphite]], [[mica]], [[corundum]], [[microcline]], and [[beryl]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Whippoorwill Herb Co. – About Us| url=https://www.whippoorwillherbco.com/about-us|access-date=January 31, 2022}}</ref><ref name="ncpedia 2"/>

NC [[Cooperative Extension]] in [[Yanceyville, North Carolina|Yanceyville]] connects local agribusinesses and farmers with crucial research-based information and technology.<ref>{{cite web| title=Home| url=https://caswell.ces.ncsu.edu//|access-date=February 17, 2022}}</ref> The Caswell County Local Foods Council manages the Caswell Farmers' Market in Yanceyville and initiates community-driven projects.<ref>{{cite web| title=AboutUs| url=https://www.caswelllocalfoods.org/about-us/|access-date=August 31, 2021}}</ref>

The county is home to two industrial parks: Pelham Industrial Park in [[Pelham, North Carolina|Pelham]] and Caswell County Industrial Park in Yanceyville.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.caswellcountync.gov/pview.aspx?id=9499&catid=0|title=Industrial Parks |publisher=CaswellCountyNC.gov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109123521/https://www.caswellcountync.gov/pview.aspx?id=9499&catid=0 |access-date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=January 9, 2019 }}</ref> CoSquare, a coworking space that offers several business possibilities for entrepreneurs, is located in [[Yanceyville Historic District|Yanceyville's downtown historic district]].<ref>{{cite web| title=CoSquare – Center of Entrepreneurship| url=https://allincaswellnc.com/cosquare/|access-date=August 31, 2021}}</ref> The largest industries in Yanceyville are accommodation and food services, health care and social assistance, and manufacturing.<ref>{{cite web| title=Yanceyville, NC: Census Place| url=https://datausa.io/profile/geo/yanceyville-nc/|access-date=February 11, 2022}}</ref> Manufactured goods include textiles, clothing, and [[electronics]].<ref name="ncpedia 2"/>

Caswell County benefits from its proximity to the greater [[Piedmont Triad]] area, [[Danville, Virginia]], and the [[Research Triangle]]. Residents have access to a host of goods, services, attractions, and employment in the region.<ref>{{cite web| title=Places to visit about 1 hour from Yanceyville| url=https://withinhours.com/1-hour-of-yanceyville-nc|access-date=February 2, 2022}}{{failed verification|date=November 2022}}</ref> The county receives economic activity in kind from these neighboring areas.<ref name="Yanceyville"/>

==Infrastructure==
===Utilities===
[[File:Water tower in Yanceyville, North Carolina.jpg|thumb|right|Water tower in Yanceyville]]

* Caswell County's electric system is maintained by [[Duke Energy]] and Piedmont Electric Cooperative.<ref>{{cite web| title=Locations| url=https://pemc.coop/our-location/|access-date=February 15, 2022}}</ref>
* Telephone network: [[Brightspeed]]
* Wireless networks: [[AT&T Mobility]], [[U.S. Cellular]], and [[Verizon Wireless]] 
* Broadband internet: Brightspeed and [[Comcast]] 
* Cable television: Comcast

===Transportation===
[[File:2017-06-26 10 29 04 View south along U.S. Route 29 Business (Main Street) entering Caswell County, North Carolina from Danville, Virginia.jpg|right|thumb|Entering Caswell County from [[Danville, Virginia]], on [[U.S. Route 29|US 29]]]]

====Major highways====
{{div col}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|I-Future|785}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|29}}
* {{Jct|state=VA|US-Bus|29|dab1=Danville}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|58}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|158}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|49}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|57}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|62}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|86}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|87}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|119}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|150}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|700}}
{{div col end}}

[[Interstate 40]] and [[Interstate 85]] are the closest [[interstate highways]] to the county, located {{convert|14|mi|km}} south in [[Graham, North Carolina|Graham]]. When I-785 is completed, it will run through Caswell County near [[Pelham, NC|Pelham]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Future of Reidsville, NC |url=https://www.rockitinreidsville.com/interstate785 |access-date=November 11, 2022 |website=rockitinreidsville |language=en}}</ref>

====Airports====
* [[Yanceyville Municipal Airport]]<ref>{{cite web |title=(6W4) Yanceyville Municipal Airport |url=https://www.aopa.org/destinations/airports/6W4/details |access-date=February 27, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Danville Regional Airport]], located {{convert|15.3|mi|km|0}} north of Yanceyville
* [[Person County Airport]], located {{convert|26.2|mi|km|0}} southeast of Yanceyville
* [[Burlington-Alamance Regional Airport]], located {{convert|29.4|mi|km|0}} southwest of Yanceyville
* [[Piedmont Triad International Airport]], located {{convert|46.5|mi|km|0}} southwest of Yanceyville
* [[Raleigh-Durham International Airport]], located {{convert|56|mi|km|0}} southeast of Yanceyville

====Railroad====
[[Danville station]], located {{convert|13.9|mi|km|0}} north of Yanceyville<ref>{{Cite web|title=Danville, Virginia|url=https://www.amtrak.com/stations/dan |access-date=December 25, 2022 |website=Amtrak.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Public transit ====
* Caswell County Area Transportation System (CATS)<ref>{{cite web| title=CATS: Quick Info| url=https://www.caswellcountync.gov/cats-transportation|access-date=July 3, 2021}}</ref>

===Other===
* Caswell Correctional Center operates as a medium custody facility of the [[North Carolina Department of Adult Correction]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Caswell Correctional Center| url=https://www.dac.nc.gov/divisions-and-sections/institutions/prison-facilities/caswell-correctional-center|access-date=March 26, 2025}}</ref>
* Dan River Prison Work Farm, a minimum custody facility of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.<ref>{{cite web| title=Dan River Prison Work Farm| url=https://www.dac.nc.gov/divisions-and-sections/institutions/prison-facilities/dan-river-prison-work-farm|access-date=March 26, 2025}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Piedmont_Community_College_-_Caswell_County_Campus.png|thumb|Piedmont Community College – Caswell County Campus]]

===Higher education===
*[[Piedmont Community College |Piedmont Community College's]] satellite campus in Caswell County is located in Yanceyville.<ref>{{cite web| title=Leadership & Vision| url=https://www.piedmontcc.edu/about/leadership-vision/|access-date=February 15, 2022}}</ref>

===Primary and secondary education===
{{Main|Caswell County Schools}}

The Caswell County public school system has six schools ranging from [[pre-kindergarten]] to [[twelfth grade]]. The school district operates one [[High school in the United States|high school]], one [[Secondary education in the United States#Middle school / Junior high school|middle school]], and four [[Elementary schools in the United States|elementary schools]]:<ref>{{cite web|title=Caswell County Schools|url=http://www.caswell.k12.nc.us/?PN=Schools2|access-date=February 2, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Bartlett Yancey High School]]
* N.L. Dillard Middle School
* North Elementary School
* Oakwood Elementary School
* South Elementary School
* Stoney Creek Elementary School

==Healthcare==
Health care providers in Caswell County include:
* Caswell Family Medical Center<ref>{{cite web| title=About CHC| url=https://compassionhealthcare.org/about-chc/|access-date=August 31, 2021}}</ref>
* Sovah Family Medicine-Yanceyville<ref>{{cite web| title=Sovah Family Medicine – Yanceyville| url=https://sovahphysicians.com/sovah-family-medicine-yanceyville|access-date=May 17, 2022}}</ref>
* Yanceyville Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center<ref>{{Cite web| title=YAD Healthcare|url=https://yadhealth.com/north-carolina/ |access-date=March 11, 2023}}</ref>
* Caswell House<ref>{{Cite web |title=Caswell House – Exceptional Senior Living |url=https://caswellseniors.com/ |access-date=November 11, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
[[File:Caswell Community Arboretum.jpg|thumb|Caswell Community Arboretum, Yanceyville]]
Caswell County's outdoor recreational areas include:<ref>{{cite web| title=Area Info| url=https://allincaswellnc.com/visit-caswell-county/#Things%20to%20Do|access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/OrvuTJK-2YQ Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20190906021307/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrvuTJK-2YQ&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{Citation|last=tinacarrollbsa|title=Boy Scout Camp, Cherokee Scout Reservation, Yanceyville, NC|date=June 27, 2021|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrvuTJK-2YQ&noredirect=1|access-date=June 27, 2021}}{{cbignore}}{{better source needed|date=November 2022}}</ref><ref name="parks&rec">{{cite web| title=Parks & Recreation| url=https://www.caswellcountync.gov/parks-and-recreation|access-date=February 23, 2022}}</ref>
{{div col}}
* [[Conservators Center, Burlington|Animal Park at the Conservators Center]] (in Anderson township)
* The [[Dan River (Virginia)|Dan River]] (in [[Milton, North Carolina|Milton]])
* [[Hyco Lake]] (near [[Semora, North Carolina|Semora]])
* Person Caswell Recreation Park (near Semora)
* [[Maud Gatewood|Maud F. Gatewood]] Municipal Park (in [[Yanceyville, North Carolina|Yanceyville]])
* S.R. Farmer Lake (in Yanceyville township)
* Cherokee Scout Reservation's [[Boy Scouts of America]] camp (near S.R. Farmer Lake)
* Yanceyville Park/Memorial Park (in Yanceyville) 
* Caswell Community Arboretum (in Yanceyville)
* Caswell County Parks & Recreation Center (in Yanceyville)
* Caswell Pines Golf Club (in Yanceyville township)
* Caswell Game Land (near Yanceyville)
* Country Line Creek (in Caswell Game Land) 
* [[Hyco Creek]] (in Caswell Game Land)
{{div col end}}

Indoor and outdoor recreational facilities, as well as sports programs and activities, are offered by the Caswell County Department of Parks & Recreation.<ref name="parks&rec"/> The Caswell Senior Center, which is located in Yanceyville, has recreation & wellbeing fitness facilities that were built in 2009.<ref>{{cite web| title=Senior Services| url=https://www.caswellcountync.gov/senior-services| publisher=County of Caswell, North Carolina| access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==
[[File:Caswell County Veterans Memorial, March 2021.jpg|thumb|right|Caswell County Veterans Memorial, Yanceyville]]

Caswell County hosts two major festivals a year: the "Bright Leaf Hoedown" and the "Spring Fling."<ref>{{cite web |title=Providence Fire & Rescue 2012 Spring Fling Festival |url=http://www.providencespringflingfestival.com/ |access-date=August 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920001116/http://www.providencespringflingfestival.com/ |archive-date=September 20, 2012 |date=2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Bright Leaf Hoedown is a one-day outdoor festival held in late September in downtown [[Yanceyville]]. It features local food vendors, live entertainment, crafts, and non-profit organizations, usually drawing more than 5,000 guests.<ref>{{cite web| title=2021 Hoedown set for Saturday, September 25| url=https://www.caswellmessenger.com/news/article_02779126-d359-11eb-aadc-8355f3a8745f.html| publisher=CaswellMessenger.com| access-date=June 30, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Preserving the past, embracing the future; Looking back at 2008| url=https://www.newsoforange.com/caswell_messenger/news/article_d0246238-5f32-5f7a-a31f-55a86ceb5aef.html| publisher=NewsofOrange.com| access-date=June 30, 2021}}</ref> The Spring Fling is a two-day event and is held on a weekend in late April or early May on the grounds of the [[Providence, Caswell County, North Carolina|Providence]] Volunteer Fire Department.<ref>[http://caswellchamber.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=49 Annual Events] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813055158/http://caswellchamber.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=49 |date=August 13, 2011}}, Caswell County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved March 18, 2013.</ref>

The Caswell County Historical Association hosts its annual Heritage Festival in Yanceyville every May. The festival celebrates county history through tours, living history reenactments, games, vendors, and live music.<ref>{{cite web| title=Caswell celebrates heritage with festival| url=https://godanriver.com/entertainment_lifestyles/caswell-celebrates-heritage-with-festival/article_8e35172c-e8e4-50e0-b6a3-bc3a919a8d7f.html| publisher=GoDanRiver.com| access-date=June 27, 2021}}</ref>

Downtown [[Yanceyville Historic District|Yanceyville's historic district]] features [[Caswell County Courthouse|an antebellum courthouse]] designed by William Percival and several other examples of antebellum architecture. The Yanceyville Historic District, [[Bartlett Yancey House]], [[John Johnston House (Yanceyville, North Carolina)|John Johnston House]], [[William Henry and Sarah Holderness House]], [[Melrose/Williamson House]], [[Graves House]], and [[Poteat House]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref><ref name = nrhpinv>{{Cite web | author =M. Ruth Little| title =William Henry and Sarah Holderness House| work = National Register of Historic Places – Nomination and Inventory | date = July 2014| url = https://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/nr/CS0258.pdf | publisher = North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office | access-date = February 17, 2022}}</ref>

[[Warren House and Warren's Store]] in [[Prospect Hill, North Carolina|Prospect Hill]] and the [[Garland-Buford House]] and [[James Malone House]] near [[Leasburg, North Carolina|Leasburg]] are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places in addition to [[Wildwood (Semora, North Carolina)|Wildwood]] near [[Semora, North Carolina|Semora]] and [[Woodside (Milton, North Carolina)|Woodside]] near [[Milton, North Carolina|Milton]].<ref>{{cite web| title=National Register Database and Research| url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/database-research.htm|access-date=November 13, 2022}}</ref>

Caswell County's cultural attractions also include:<ref>{{cite web| title=Home| url=https://yanceyvillenc.gov/| publisher=YanceyvilleNC.gov| access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Milton Studio Art Gallery| url=https://www.miltonstudioartgallery.com/| access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Piedmont Triad Visitor Center| url=https://www.piedmonttriadvisitorcenter.org/|access-date=April 22, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Yoder's Country Market| url=https://www.visitnc.com/listing/BQkn/yoder-s-country-market|access-date=December 4, 2022}}</ref><ref name="ncpedia 2"/>
{{div col}}
* Caswell Council for the Arts (in Yanceyville)
* Caswell County Civic Center (in Yanceyville)
* Caswell County Veterans Memorial (in Yanceyville)
* Caswell Farmers' Market (in Yanceyville)
* Caswell Horticulture Club
* Gunn Memorial Public Library (in Yanceyville)
*[[Milton Historic District (Milton, North Carolina)|Milton Historic District]]
* Milton Renaissance Foundation Museum & Visitors Center
* Milton Studio Art Gallery
* Piedmont Triad Visitor Center (in [[Pelham, North Carolina|Pelham]])
* Old Caswell County Jail (in Yanceyville)
* Old Poteat School/Poteat One-Room School (in Yanceyville)
* [[Red House Presbyterian Church]] (in Semora)
* Richmond-Miles History Museum (in Yanceyville)
* Shangri-La Miniature Stone Village (in Prospect Hill)
* Simmons Farm Museum (near Stony Creek) 
* [[Thomas Day (cabinetmaker)|Thomas Day]] House and [[Union Tavern]] (in Milton)
* Town of Yanceyville Public Safety Memorial
* Yanceyville Museum of Art
* Yanceyville Pavilion
* Yanceyville's municipal [[water tower]]
* Yoder's Country Market (in Yanceyville){{div col end}}

The Caswell County Civic Center in Yanceyville has a full-size professionally equipped stage, a 912-seat auditorium, and meeting and banquet facilities for up to 500. The Civic Center also has accessories for concerts, theatre, and social functions as well as a lobby art gallery.<ref>{{cite web| title=Caswell Civic Center| url=https://www.caswellcountync.gov/residents| publisher=County of Caswell, North Carolina| access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref>

Gunn Memorial Public Library in Yanceyville conducts summer reading programs for children of all ages.<ref>{{cite web| title=Caswell County Library| url=https://www.caswellcountync.gov/library| publisher=County of Caswell, North Carolina| access-date=June 7, 2022}}</ref>

==Communities==
[[File:Map of Caswell County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG|thumb|Map of Caswell County with municipal and township labels]]

===Towns===
* [[Milton, North Carolina|Milton]]
* [[Yanceyville, North Carolina|Yanceyville]] (county seat and largest community)

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
* [[Blanch, North Carolina|Blanch]]
* [[Camp Springs, North Carolina|Camp Springs]]
* [[Casville, North Carolina|Casville]]
* [[Cherry Grove, Caswell County, North Carolina|Cherry Grove]]
* Estelle
* [[Fitch, North Carolina|Fitch]]
* Frogsboro
* [[Hightowers, North Carolina|Hightowers]]
* [[Jericho, North Carolina|Jericho]]
* [[Leasburg, North Carolina|Leasburg]]
* [[Milesville, North Carolina|Milesville]]
* Osmond
* [[Pelham, North Carolina|Pelham]]
* [[Prospect Hill, North Carolina|Prospect Hill]]
* [[Providence, Caswell County, North Carolina|Providence]]
* [[Purley, North Carolina|Purley]]
* Quick
* [[Semora, North Carolina|Semora]]
* Stony Creek
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
The following [[township (United States)|townships]] are in Caswell County:{{sfn|Powell|1976|p=93}}
{{div col}}
* Anderson
* Dan River
* Hightowers
* Leasburg
* Locust Hill
* Milton
* Pelham
* Stoney Creek
* Yanceyville
{{div col end}}

==Notable people==
===Academia===
* [[A. Oveta Fuller]] (1955–2022), associate professor of microbiology at [[University of Michigan Medical School]]<ref>{{cite news| title=A. Oveta Fuller, Ph.D.| newspaper=Microbiology & Immunology|date=September 23, 2015|url=https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/microbiology-immunology/oveta-fuller-phd|access-date=March 31, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Henry Lee Graves]] (1813–1881), president of [[Baylor University]]
* [[William Louis Poteat]] (1856–1938), professor of biology and president of [[Wake Forest University]], public intellectual, early advocate of Darwinian [[evolution]]
* [[Henry Roland Totten]] (1892–1974), [[botanist]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Totten, Henry Roland|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/totten-henry-roland|access-date=June 17, 2022|website=www.ncpedia.org}}</ref>
*[[Vanessa Siddle Walker]] (born 1958), professor of African American Educational Studies at [[Emory University]]

===Art, literature, and music===
* [[The Badgett Sisters]], [[Folk music|folk]] and [[Gospel music|gospel]] group composed of sisters Celester, Connie, and Cleonia Badgett
* [[Max Drake]] (born 1952), musician
* [[Maud Gatewood]] (1934–2004), artist
* [[Mel Melton]], musician<ref>{{Cite web |last=Floyd |first=Mike |title=CM columnist Mel Melton leads a Zydeco band as well as cooks cajun |url=https://www.caswellmessenger.com/news/article_aee1e79e-d9c7-11eb-b93a-0b0f6b646e02.html |access-date=June 17, 2022 |website=The Caswell Messenger |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Ida Isabella Poteat]] (1858–1940), artist and instructor
* [[Moses Roper]] (1815–1891), African American [[abolitionist]], author, and orator
* [[Ray Scott (singer)|Ray Scott]] (born 1969), [[country music]] artist
* [[Carolina Slim]] (1923–1953), [[Piedmont blues]] guitarist and singer
* [[Hazel Smith]] (1934–2018), country music journalist, publicist, singer-songwriter, television and radio show host, and cookbook author

===Athletes===
* [[Mic'hael Brooks]] (born 1991), former [[NFL]] player who attended high school in Yanceyville
* [[John Oliver Gunn Jr.|John Gunn]] (1939–2010), race car driver<ref>{{cite web |title=John Gunn |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/drivers/john-gunn/ |accessdate=May 20, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Lee Pulliam]] (born 1988), [[stock car racing]] driver and team owner
* [[Neal Watlington]] (1922–2019), [[MLB]] player for the [[Philadelphia Athletics]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Neal Watlington|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/watline01.shtml|accessdate=May 20, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Carl Willis]] (born 1960), former MLB player and current pitching coach for the [[Cleveland Guardians]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Carl Willis |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/carl-willis/ |accessdate=May 20, 2022}}</ref>

===Business===
* [[Thomas Day (cabinetmaker)|Thomas Day]] (1801–1861), [[free Negro|free Black]] furniture craftsman and cabinetmaker
* [[Edmund Richardson]] (1818–1886), entrepreneur who produced and marketed cotton
* [[Samuel Simeon Fels]] (1860–1950), businessman and philanthropist

===Government and law===
* [[Bedford Brown]] (1795–1870), [[U.S. senator]] 
* [[Richard Caswell]] (1729–1789), first and fifth [[governor of North Carolina]]
* [[Archibald Dixon]] (1802–1876), U.S. senator
* [[Donna Edwards]] (born 1958), former [[U.S. representative]] 
* [[Azariah Graves]] (1768–1850), general in the North Carolina militia during the [[War of 1812]] and a state senator 
* [[Calvin Graves]] (1804–1877), house member of the [[North Carolina General Assembly]] and member of the [[North Carolina Senate]] 
* [[John Kerr Hendrick]] (1849–1921), U.S. representative
* [[Louisa Moore Holt]] (1833–1899), First Lady of North Carolina
* [[John Kerr (Virginia Congressman)|John Kerr]] (1782–1842), member of the U.S. House of Representatives
* [[John Kerr Jr. (congress)|John Kerr Jr.]] (1811–1879), congressional representative and jurist
* [[John H. Kerr]] (1873–1958), jurist and politician
* [[Benjamin J. Lea]] (1833–1894), lawyer and politician who served as a justice on the [[Tennessee Supreme Court]] 
* [[Jacob E. Long]] (1880–1955), 15th [[lieutenant governor of North Carolina]] from 1925 to 1929 serving under Governor [[Angus Wilton McLean|Angus W. McLean]]
* [[Giles Mebane]] (1809–1899), speaker of the North Carolina Senate during most of the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rsf |date=October 11, 2009 |title=Caswell County North Carolina: Giles Mebane (1809–1899) |url=https://ncccha.blogspot.com/2009/10/giles-mebane-1809-1899.html |access-date=June 17, 2022 |website=Caswell County North Carolina}}</ref>
* [[Anderson Mitchell]] (1800–1876), U.S. representative<ref>{{Cite web |title=Caswell County North Carolina Ancestral Trackers |url=http://www.ancestraltrackers.net/nc/caswell/caswell.htm |access-date=June 17, 2022 |website=www.ancestraltrackers.net}}</ref>
* [[Archibald Murphey|Archibald Debow Murphey]] (1777–1832), attorney, jurist, and politician who was known as the "Father of Education" in North Carolina
* [[Romulus Mitchell Saunders]] (1791–1867), U.S. representative
* [[John W. Stephens]] (1834–1870), North Carolina state senator, agent for the [[Freedmen's Bureau]]
* [[Jacob Thompson]] (1810–1885), [[U.S. Secretary of the Interior|U.S. secretary of the interior]]
* [[Hugh Webster (politician)|Hugh Webster]] (1943–2022), [[register of deeds]] for [[Alamance County]] and North Carolina state senator<ref>{{cite web |title=Hugh B. Webster |url=https://www.caswellmessenger.com/obituaries/article_0d3c1052-9e3b-11ec-a617-af1359631f39.html |accessdate=March 8, 2022}}</ref> 
* [[Marmaduke Williams]] (1774–1850), Democratic-Republican U.S. congressman
* [[George “Royal George” Williamson]] (1788–1856), member of the North Carolina Senate
* [[Bartlett Yancey, Jr.]] (1785–1828), [[Democrat-Republican]] U.S. congressman

===Miscellaneous===
* [[Oscar Penn Fitzgerald]] (1829–1911), [[Methodist]] clergyman, journalist, and educator
* [[Henrietta Phelps Jeffries]] (1857–1926), African American midwife and a founding member of Macedonia [[AME Church]] in [[Milton, North Carolina|Milton]]
* [[Peter U. Murphey]] (1810–1876), naval officer and captain of the {{Ship|CSS|Selma}} during the Civil War

==See also==
* [[Haw River Valley AVA]], wine region partially located in the county
* [[List of counties in North Carolina]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Caswell County, North Carolina]]
* [[Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation]], state-recognized tribe that resides in the county
* [[Virginia International Raceway]], a nearby multi-purpose road course offering auto and motorcycle racing

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

== Works cited ==
* {{cite book | last = Ashe | first = Samuel A'Court | title = History of North Carolina| publisher = Edwards & Broughton| volume = II| date = 1925| location = Raleigh| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=XLpPAQAAMAAJ| oclc = 244120893}}
* {{cite journal| last = Brisson| first = Jim D.| title = 'Civil Government Was Crumbling Around Me': The Kirk-Holden War of 1870| journal = The North Carolina Historical Review| volume = 8| issue = 2| pages = 123–163| date = April 2011| jstor = 23523540}}
* {{cite book | last = Brown| first = Deborah F. | title = Dead-End Road| date = 2004| isbn = 9781418427832}}
* {{cite book| last = Corbitt| first = David Leroy| title = The formation of the North Carolina counties, 1663-1943| publisher = North Carolina Division of Archives and History | edition = reprint| date = 2000| location = Raleigh| url = https://digital.ncdcr.gov/digital/collection/p16062coll9/id/289743| oclc= 46398241}}
* {{cite book| last = Powell| first = William S.| title = The North Carolina Gazetteer: A Dictionary of Tar Heel Places| publisher = The University of North Carolina Press| date = 1976| location = Chapel Hill| isbn = 9780807812471}}
*{{cite book | last = Powell| first = William S. | title = When the Past Refused to Die: A History of Caswell County, North Carolina, 1777-1977| date = 1977| publisher = Durham, NC: Moore Pub. Co.}}
*{{cite book | last = Sartin | first = Ruby Pearl | title = Caswell County: The First Century, 1777–1787| publisher = The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG): College Collection| date = 1972| location = Greensboro| url = http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/listing.aspx?id=28384}}
*Walker, E.V. (1993). Caswell County Training School, 1933–1969: Relationships between Community and School. ''Harvard Educational Review, 63,'' 161–183.
* {{cite book | last = Walker| first = Vanessa Siddle | title =Their Highest Potential: An African American School Community in the Segregated South. | publisher =University of North Carolina Press | date = 1996| location = Chapel Hill| url = https://uncpress.org/book/9780807845813/their-highest-potential/}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{osmrelation|2528683}}
* {{Official website|https://www.caswellcountync.gov/}}
* [https://ncccha.org// Caswell County History Website]
* [https://www.flickr.com/photos/ncccha/ Caswell County Photograph Collection]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Caswell County, North Carolina
|North     = [[Danville, Virginia]], and [[Pittsylvania County, Virginia]]
|Northeast = [[Halifax County, Virginia]]
|East      = [[Person County, North Carolina|Person County]]
|Southeast = [[Orange County, North Carolina|Orange County]]
|South     = [[Alamance County, North Carolina|Alamance County]]
|West      = [[Rockingham County, North Carolina|Rockingham County]]
|Northwest =
}}
{{Caswell County, North Carolina}}
{{North Carolina}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Caswell County, North Carolina| ]]
[[Category:1777 establishments in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1777]]
[[Category:Piedmont Triad]]