Shirley Simmons, volunteer director
The “Finer Carolina” program was a statewide community improvement and beautification contest hosted by the Carolina Power and Light Company (CP&L) between 1952 and 1959. Towns within the CP&L service area competed for cash prizes by launching local projects to beautify residential areas, upgrade municipal facilities, and stimulate business.
The program served as a massive push for civic modernization and community pride. Highlights of the contest included:
- The Projects: Over 4,600 projects were completed, ranging from building new hospitals and parks to modernizing storefronts.
- The Competitors: In its peak years, the program drew over 160 town entries at once. For example, the city of Asheboro won the top prize four times during the decade.
- Historical Records: Participating towns documented their transformations in detailed scrapbooks, which are now preserved and accessible online via Digital NC.
While the program succeeded in bringing new industries and modernizing infrastructure, the push for modernization also led to the demolition of many older, historic buildings that were deemed eyesores at the time.
Here are some details from the Fuquay Springs Scrapbook which is in the Fuquay-Varina Museums Collection. This 1959 edition was headed by two of our late residents: Bernard McLeod Chairman, and Heulon Dean, Publicity Chairman. Doubtless the photographs were done by Dean. The scrapbook has many photos as well as the written record.
Featured in the Business and Industrial Section were the following :
- Bank of Fuquay: new branch office on Main Street
- Raleigh Savings and Loan
- United Telephone new building
- Carolina Power and Light (plans to construct)
- Hudson Belk (doubling the size)
- Cotton Furniture (addition on Main Street)
- Johnson Drug, Elliotts Pharmacy, and Ashworth’s Clothing (new awnings)
In the Municipal Improvements section:
- New water and sewage to the Bellvedere Subdivision
- New Sanitation Bonds,
- Curb and Guttering along Raleigh and Springs Streets
- 200 shade trees set out plus shrubs
In the Farm-City Relation section:
- Farmer’s Day Parade 1959
- Sweet Potato Curing Building with FFA & Chamber contributions
- Farmer’s Day Prizes of $2,000
- Grand Prize: Shetland pony won by Frank Weaver
- BBQ plates for $1.00
In Health and Wellness section:
- Wake County Hospital with 25 beds at cost of $325,000
- Club and organizations help for 100 local families
In Recreation section
- The Jaycees built the swimming pool
- The Woman’s Club opened the ceramic center
- The Library was moved to Woodrow Street