Chatham county, with historic Pittsboro as its county seat, was actually carved off from a piece of Orange County. Apparently the horse and buggy ride to the, then, county seat of Hillsborough was quite the trek. They needed their own seat at the table. Now the journey to Chatham/Pittsboro includes 4 lane travel and a scenic drive down 15-501 South.

You can, of course, take detours and pass by all the governors: Governor's Club, Village, and Park. Ten minutes more, you’ll cross Jordan Lake taking in breathtaking views, especially at sunset, that will make you immediately want to purchase a kayak, SUP, or maybe even a boat. The lake's shoreline provides the perfect setting for picnics, swimming, and birdwatching. And if local camping is desired, you can reserve a spot at one of the fabulous campsites near the lake.

If you forgo the detour, you'll pass poplular neighborhoods like Briar Chapel and Fearrington Village, along with Allen & Son's BBQ, and the town, if you can call it that, of Bynum. Bynum is famous for being the home to Clyde Jones. A former mill worker, Clyde is known internationally for creating wooden critters from aggregations of wood known by their moniker “Haw Creek Critters”. His pieces are coveted and not for sale, unless it’s to rasie money. So if one has been lucky to have been gifted “A Clyde” they’ll most certainly have it proudly on display.

Downtown Pittsboro is marked by the beautiful, historic courthouse built in 1881 and exudes a distinct southern charm with it’s quaint boutiques and art galleries. Yet time can not stand still. Neither can progress. So while the S & T Soda Shoppe remains an icon, craft breweries, hip bakeries, and eatiers are making their mark.

Though Pittsboro is the heart of Chatham, the county has earned a place in its own right. It's common to hear when asked: I live in Chatham County (if in fact the address is not in Pittsboro proper). To further muddy the waters, a good percentage of homes have a Chapel Hill address with the good fortune of Chatham county taxes.

In the last two decades and counting, Chatham has seen explosive growth particularly in the housing sector as it began to absorb the over-flow from the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area. With the approval of Chatham Park in 2015 (best to Google it), the business sector has grown exponentially. With jobs come new neighborhoods, new businesses and new schools! A study by a North Carolina State University economist estimates that Chatham Park will produce 115,000 jobs and drive $154 billion in economic impact over the next 40 years. So to say it’s the new hotspot is an understatement.

The words used to describe Chatham and Pittsboro may seem to be in conflict, but somehow the the county and town are figuring out how to allow room for them all. Words such as bucolic, artistic, agricultural, sustainable, hip, funky, sustainable, community, down-to-earth, history, natural beauty, and growth all come to mind.

One of the theme's of Chatham Park is "work, play, live." Chatham County and Pittsboro embodied that attitude long before the Park came along. Now, they are just doing it with a little (lot) more of everything!