Historically known as the “dome of the Scuppernong Pocosin”, Carolina Ranch was part of the original hunting/trading/trapping grounds for the Croatans, Native Americans, and first European settlers.  

 

In the early 1800s, the State of North Carolina gave title of this wild “far dismal” to the State Literary Fund for development and creation of eventual land sales that would bolster the state education fund.  Canals and ditches were developed at that time in order to prepare the land for both agriculture and housing. Carolina Ranch is part of the original NC Drainage District #2 and its deed still carries drainage easement rights connected to the surrounding region and all 52 state established drainage districts.

 

In the late 1800s, Carolina Ranch was sold to Southern Land Company of New York for the development of housing.  However, the American Civil War changed the national economic trends and the need for timber became more important.  The land was then sold to a regional timber company.

 

After being timbered, the land was sold to a West Virginia paper company for continued forestry and eventually was sold to All Star Foods Inc. in 1963 for agricultural purposes.  Additional ditching was done as the land was prepared to become a national food source.

 

In 1990 the current owner and family emerged where its ownership has and will remain. The concept of Carolina Ranch was established in late 2017 with the actual work beginning in 2018.