History:
From the beginning, from the very moment it became an idea, North Wilkesboro was a plan. The Finleys and Blairs provided the land, over 1,000 acres. An investor from Greensboro, Willard Franklin Trogdon, had the land surveyed, laid out lots and streets and roads, graded some of the streets, built bridges, and erected some key buildings. Business leaders came to see and they stayed. There was an auction to sell town lots. It wasn't long until the planners got the state legislature to pass an act of incorporation and on March 4, 1891 the Town of North Wilkesboro was officially formed.

Early in the town's history, a school was built, and the town sponsored its own independent school system, supported vigorously by local business leaders. In 1913 a substantial new school was erected and families began to choose to live in the town to take advantage of the educational opportunity it offered. In 1920 an additional modern school building was constructed on the school campus for the growing population, and this building was used for the high school. A gymnasium was the third building on the campus. The building constructed in 1913 still stands and its auditorium is now used by a repertoire stage production group and as a community center. The North Wilkesboro school system originally included Woodlawn School for black students until the end of segregation in the 1950s.

The town is also proud to be the site of the main county public library, and has an exceptional public-supported art gallery with frequent shows of outstanding art works, a permanent collection, and training facilities. Benton Hall in the refurbished 1913 school building is home to the Playmakers organization and to a youth center.

North Wilkesboro is also a member town of the State's "Main Street" program. Several blocks of downtown buildings are historically significant and owners are able to obtain support for returning their buildings to the way they were in their historical beginning. The Main Street program is a state-sponsored designation and can provide support for business development.

Churches, restaurants, parks and other recreation spots, combined with those nearby operated by the county and by Wilkesboro, today provide real opportunities for pursuing individual private interests.