Historic Hamlet, North Carolina

10/28/2026

A ghostly tale of the old Hamlet Hospital as told by my mother.

“In the late 60’s, I started working the night shift at Hamlet Hospital, our local hospital. One night, shortly after I began working, I was taking a break alone in a dimly-lit second floor waiting room. Looking up, I saw a gray-haired man in a long white robe between the couch I was sitting on and another one on the opposite wall. As we stared at each other, he faded out and disappeared before my eyes.
As I walked through the lobby back to the first floor where I was posted to work, I looked up at the portrait of the doctor who had founded the hospital, Dr. William Daniel James. Although he was wearing a dark suit, white shirt and tie, I knew that this was the face I had just seen in the waiting room. He had died years before, so I had never met him.
The white robe remained a mystery to me until several years later.
One night, while working with an older nurse who had taken her training under the doctor, she stated, “I can see him now, wearing that long, white lab coat.” I knew then that it was not a robe, but a lab coat he was wearing the night he appeared to me.”

10/27/2026

I love sharing this history of one of Hamlet’s most unique and loved citizens. Thank you Richmond County Historical Society for digging deeper and uncovering more about ‘Ma’ Crofton…

10/26/2026

We have someone looking for family information if anyone can help…

“Does anyone know anything about the MORROW or HENDERSON families in Hamlet, NC between approximately 1908-1928? Specific persons of interest include: Pelham Morrow (1855-1920) and wife Margaret “Maggie” Oehler (1855-1927), their son, Earl Morrow (1885-1913) and his wife, Edith Marjorie Page (1891-1966), and their daughter Edith Morrow Henderson (1910-1963) and her husband, Ray Henderson (1908-1972).

Earl Morrow was a prominent druggist in Hamlet between 1908 and his untimely death in 1913 from an overturning automobile accident in nearby Moore County. His store was on Front St and can be seen pictured from the post card photo. He also played collegiate baseball at UNC in the few years prior and appears to have played in some community leagues between 1908-1913. Does anyone know anything else about him, the fate of the store, or other details of interest?

Pelham and Maggie Morrow were his parents. They apparently hosted some big events in town and were relatively well-know among Hamlet residents. I believe the second photo is of them with grandchildren on the steps and also on the front porch of their house. Does anyone recognize the people pictured or this house from this photograph? If it is not standing anymore, do you know where it is/where the Morrow’s lived in Hamlet? Pelham died in 1920 and Maggie died in 1927.

Back to Earl, he married Marjorie Page and they had one daughter, Edith in 1910. After Earl’s tragic death, Marjorie remarried John Robert Lomax, Sr. (1889-1966). They had three children, Anna Page, John Robert, Jr., and Marjorie. So if anyone knows anything further about the Lomax family as well, please let me know.

Edith, Earl’s daughter, married Ray Henderson. Edith went on to teach English at various levels of public school and Ray worked a variety of jobs it seems. I have several photos that were in an envelope with his name on it of a Shell station or depot, but it may be in nearby Laurinburg, since I know he spent some time there too. Does anyone recognize this intersection photo, anything about these Shell photos, and if any of this is in Hamlet versus Laurinburg?

Thanks for anyone that can provide any insight or assistance. Much appreciated!

Adding this in to the Henderson bunch... my great grandfather, Ray, and great-grandmother, Edith are pictured here. (Last photo)Ray is the one holding the paper. Do you know if this is in Hamlet or Laurinburg, and do you recognize any people in this photo? Long shot, I know, but worth a try.”

10/25/2026

How many of you remember the fortune teller in Levine’s, on the corner of Hamlet Avenue and Front Street, back in the day?

10/24/2026

Brenda H. was walking down the hall in the new addition to the Hamlet Hospital on her way to the canteen in the old part of the hospital when suddenly, an older gray-haired man, dressed in a long white coat, crossed the hall in front of her and walked through the wall into the X-ray department. She recognized him from the portrait in the lobby of the hospital. It was old Dr. Will James, founder of the hospital, and long since dead.

White as a sheet and crying hysterically, she went back to the nurses' station. The other nurses there tried to find out what was wrong with her, but all she could say was, "He walked right through the wall. Right through the wall." Over and over again. She was too upset to continue working that night, but it was still a couple of hours later before she had calmed down enough to drive herself home.

Before the new part was added onto the hospital, there was a sidewalk that ran in front of the old section of the hospital, parallel with Vance Street. The James family home was at the end of Vance Street in a secluded, wooded area and Dr. James usually walked back and forth to work. Brenda saw old Dr. Will walking right where that sidewalk used to be.......

10/23/2026

The headline, “Hamlet Aviator Weds Pretty Movie Star”. So, just who are these people? The Hamlet Aviator was Phil Gibbons, son of J.P. Gibbons. The movie star was Sally Ann Shaw. They met in California, where Mr. Gibbons was working with an aircraft company and Miss Shaw was working with a movie studio, and were wed two weeks later on November 28, 1941. Talk about a whirlwind romance….

(Article courtesy of ourhamlet)

10/22/2026

Time has taken a toll on this old home on Lackey Street, but it was once the home of Andrew James Luke and his family. Brenda Wilbanks Bault tells us her mother grew up in this home. Her Grandpa Luke worked for the railroad and, back in the day, they would take in railroad workers from out of town that needed a room to stay in. If you listen closely, you can almost hear the laughter that once echoed from within these walls.....

10/21/2026

Our favorite day of the year is almost here!!! The Seaboard Festival falls on Halloween this year which makes it extra special! Something for everyone. Come early and stay for all of the food, crafts, entertainment….just everything. You won’t regret it…

HAMLET — One of Richmond County's most anticipated traditions returns this fall as the 44th Annual Seaboard Festival rolls into historic downtown Hamlet on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. Held …

10/20/2026

Sitting back off the road and shrouded in trees, this house off of Highway 381 is said to have been plagued by strange goings on years ago. Doors slamming on their own, covers yanked off of children while they were sleeping, lights blinking off and on with no one in the room were just a few of the eerie, unexplainable happenings that caused one family to pack up their belongings and flee into the night.....