West End

In 1890, between Aberdeen and Carthage, traveling through the woodlands would bring you to Daniel McDonalds turpentine distillery.

To help with the transportation of timber and naval stores from the fields to the commercial areas, McDonald cleared a path for a railway from Southern Pines to his turpentine distillery.

Soon a non-traditional railway was constructed. It had wooden rails on huge cross ties and mule drawn cars were pulled along these ways, fetching timber from both sides of the tracts. The Aberdeen and Asheboro Railroad was completed along the McDonald right of way, in 1890. At the most western end, a town sprung up called West End.

Sadly, the Great Fire of 1898 destroyed all thirteen buildings in the downtown area of West End except for the railroad depot and the drugstore. In later years, the Sandhills Furniture Corporation mill was built and enjoyed many years of success. In 1965, Sandhills Furniture Corporation was sold to Stanley Furniture Company. Stanley Furniture Company was the largest employer in Moore County before it closed its doors in early 2000. Today West End offers wonderful neighborhoods and quick access to both Seven Lakes and Pinehurst.

Related Content