The City of Lumberton was created by an Act of the N.C. General Assembly in 1787 and was named the County seat of Robeson County.
Lumberton was founded the same year thirty-nine of the fifty-five delegates to the Constitutional Convention of Philadelphia signed and sent to Congress the constitution of the United States.
Robeson County is located in the Coastal Plains region of southeastern North Carolina. The County was created from Bladen County in 1786 by two Revolutionary War heroes and residents of the area, General John Willis and Colonel Thomas Robeson. The county was named after Colonel Thomas Robeson and the land for the County seat was donated by General Willis who is also accredited with naming the County seat Lumberton. Lumberton was incorporated in 1859.
Lumberton is located on the Lumber River in the coastal plains region of North Carolina. The Lumber River was designated as a National Wild and Scenic River and is part of the North Carolina Natural and Scenic River System. The River has been classified as natural, scenic, and recreational and is considered one of the most highly prized recreation sites in North Carolina. Recreation includes canoeing and boating, fishing, hunting, picnicking, camping, nature study, swimming, biking, jogging, crafts and fossil and artifact hunting.
The Lumber River is also known for its cultural resources. Four hundred and twenty-nine archaeological sites have been recorded in Robeson County.
Lumberton has grown tremendously since its creation in 1787. Of the 123,339 people in Robeson County, 20,795 live within the city limits of Lumberton.
Highways in the area include Interstate 95 which runs along the East Coast from Miami Florida to Houlton Maine at the Canadian border. U.S. Highways 301 & 74 also run through Lumberton as do N.C. Highways 211, 41, 72 and 711.
Lumberton City Hall is located near Historic Downtown Lumberton. The City received funding from the USDA Rural Development to constuct a New City Hall. Pictured is the old City Hall, which was recently demolished in the early part of 2006. The address for the new City Hall, which is in full operation, is 500 N. Cedar Street. The City of Lumberton is governed by a council/manager form of government. The council/manager form of Government allows elected officials to conduct the legislative functions of the City through the establishment of laws and policies.