ASHEBORO — From The Randolph Guide – April 13, 1960

The Asheboro Board of Commissioners has agreed to take an option to purchase property being developed as an airport.

The land, a 100-acre farm five miles southwest of the city, is now held by the Asheboro Development Corp. City Attorney Archie L. Smith has been instructed to work with W. Ed Gavin, secretary of the development corporation, to draw up the option.

A corner of the property fronts on the new NC Highway 49 now under construction. The land, used as a dairy farm until two years ago, has been termed by aviation enthusiasts as the best site available for airport use, considering the elevation and amount of grading needed. It’s said to be practical as a landing strip with just a minimum of improvements.

Randolph County commissioners acquired the now-defunct old airport property south of Asheboro. That site is now being developed into an industrial park.

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A group of businessmen from eastern North Carolina have purchased the Hillside Shopping Center on South Fayetteville Street, Asheboro, with plans to expand it within the next several months.

No purchase price was announced for the shopping center, which reportedly represents an investment of upwards of $1 million.

The new owners are Frank W. Hancock Jr. of Oxford, a former U.S. Congressman, Charles S. Allen of Durham and Vinton E. Fountain of Edgecomb County.

Developer of Hillside, which opened July 1, 1959, was the Grifton Realty Corp. of Pitt County.

Under terms of the sale, the new owners will take over the Grifton indebtedness of $159,987.80. The original deed of trust was in the amount of $360,000.

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Plans are being completed for the spring tour of homes in the Asheboro area.

Sponsored by the Episcopal Women of the Church of the Good Shepherd, the tour is scheduled for May 4 and 5.

Mrs. Tyler R. Lisk, publicity chairman, said the homes will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both  days. Tickets are $1.50.

The tour includes the homes of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Redding, 734 S. Park St.; Mr. and Mrs. F.O. Yates, 141 S. Main St.; Dr. and Mrs. Charles F. Owen, Maple Ave.; Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Bossong, 1605 W. Salisbury St.; Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Pugh Jr., Westmont Drive; Dr. and Mrs. John O. Redding, 136 N. High St.; and Mr. and Mrs. W. Kelly Johnson, Lexington Road.

In addition, the recently remodeled Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd will be included on the tour.

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Jerry Rowe, the Asheboro High School star football player, has signed a grant-in-aid to play for the University of North Carolina. He plans to enter the School of Business Administration.

The decision was given to Head Coach Jim Hickey after a visit to the campus by  Rowe and his father, A.C. Rowe. Jerry had been widely sought as an end by a number of schools in the Southeast.

Rowe, a 6-2, 190-pounder, is a veteran of three years for the Blue Comets. He was selected to the High School All-America First Team, the first AHS star to be so honored. He was also named to the All-State team.

– Compiled by Larry Penkava from archives of The Randolph Guide