In observance of Independence Day, Town of Lillington offices will be closed on Friday, July 4th, 2025.
Excessive flooding along the Cape Fear and Pee Dee Rivers led to widespread damage throughout Eastern NC. Total rainfall for that summer in Wilmington measured at 42.05”, which was the highest total on record and was only surpassed by Hurricane Florence in 2018.
This shows Kivett Hall after a fresh snowfall in 1948. Kivett Hall is still standing today this image also shows a dormitory building which is no longer standing.
These photos were taken by Talbott M. Stewart in a small plane. Shows D. Rich memorial in the center, as well as Kivett on its right. Next to Kivett is the building that is now the bookstore.
This is a postcard from the mid 20th century. The Cape Fear River has always been central to Lillington’s identity. It has long provided opportunities for travel, commerce, and recreation and remains one of the Town’s greatest assets.
1955- Four men on their way to the ‘Best Beard Contest’ for the Harnett County Centennial Celebration. This style of car, with its tall tires and open top, were often called ‘runabouts’ and were popular from 1890-1915.
Best Beard Contest’ at the Harnett County Centennial Celebration, 1955.
Fun Fact: Good Mythical Morning’s Link Neal III is the son of former Lillington Police Chief Neil, and a native of Buies Creek, NC.
This meeting was held in the town hall/ police station/ fire station which was originally built in 1933. It remains as the John P. Bethune Fire Station still located on Main Street.
Lillington has a long history of farming that dates to before the American Revolution. Farmers have made their living here in Harnett County for over 250 years.
This image shows an aerial view of main street and Front Street.
First Baptist was originally founded in 1870 and still hosts weekly church services. More than a dozen churches currently call Lillington their home.
Aftermath of the Homestead Hurricane, September 19th, 1945. Town residents look out over the flooded cape fear. The Lillington Bridge can be seen in the background. The photo was taken at the spot that is now the Capital Ford on US-401, facing toward downtown.
The sign on the left points to Hotel Lillington, the location of which is now the Milton Realty Group.
The newly painted Harnett County Courthouse. Previously Located on the corner of Front and Main Streets. This was the second courthouse built in Harnett County after the first one burned down in 1892. The new brick structure was built in 1897 and stood until it was replaced in 2003.
A cornerstone landmark for the Town throughout the 20th Century. Advertisements like these helped to draw in tourism to rural areas like Lillington as the automobile became the preferred mode of transport and entertainment between the 1920s and 1930s.
This image was taken by Talbott M. Stewart, a business owner and one of the most dedicated local historians in Lillington’s history. Stewart’s photography from 1935-77 are some of the best surviving records of life in Lillington in the 1900’s and can be found in the database at digitalnc.org.
Taken by Talbott M. Stewart between 1935 and 1975. For more information on fishing in NC, including licenses and location restrictions, visit https://www.ncwildlife.gov/fishing.
Lillington is constantly improving its stormwater infrastructure and resilience to mitigate damage caused by future storms.
10 young women pose for a photo at the Harnett County Centennial Celebration of 1955. Ms. Etta Brown Howard received the title of Miss Harnett County Centennial, and all the other students in the court were princesses from each high school in the county.