Waco

The area that is now Waco was settled in the early 1840s when it was still part of Lincoln County. Its first church was established as Capernaum Baptist Church in 1842–the first church to be established in the newly formed Cleveland County–in a location about three miles from the main road.

About 1865, the railroad was extended from Cherryville into the area. At that time the area was known as Ramsey’s Crossing after Joe Ramsey, a well known farmer there.

By 1879, a group of people promoted the establishment of a post office. George Washington Kendrick had just returned from a trip to Waco, Texas and put forth the name “Waco;” incorporation of the town followed in 1880.

Near the church there was a small school as well as the Muddy Fork Academy. Also nearby was the Mauney Mill and the Kendrick brickmaking business. Four miles west was the Buffalo Paper Mill.

In 1886, the congregation at Capernaum voted to move to a new location closer to the railroad tracks. The new church would be called Waco Baptist Church.

The town’s first doctor was Dr. Noah Goode. It was Dr. Goode who built the town’s first bridge. Dr. Goode and his wife Elizabeth Jane Roberts Goode had 13 children, four of whom became medical doctors.

Dr. Noah Asbury Gamewell Goode (1835-1887) and wife, Elizabeth Jane Roberts. Goode family photos shared on Ancestry.com by Michael Goode.
Dr. Thomas Vance Goode, 1863-1919
Dr. William Atkins Goode, 1865-1906
Dr. Watson Oscar Goode, 1876-1956

Wade Hill Moss was another of Waco’s town leaders. He was a farmer, school teacher, and magistrate and served on the Cleveland County Executive Committee.

Photo shared on Ancestry.com by L.G. Moss.

Scenes of Waco
  • Murray Cotton Gin. Photo from the collection of Greg Payseur.
  • John Moss store, Waco. Photo from the collection of Greg Payseur.
  • Waco High School, 1930s.
  • Waco School Rhythm Band, 1954.
  • 1952. From the collection of John E. Barrett.
  • Waco High School Baseball Team, 1954.

Waco News

  • From the collection of John E. Barrett.
  • New Era, Oct. 19, 1887.
Waco
Former name: Ramsey’s Crossing, after local farmer Joe Ramsey
Namesake: Waco, TX after resident George W. Kendrick visited there
Year incorporated: 1880 1st Mayor: A. J. Beam
1st church: Capernaum Baptist Church, organized in 1842; became Waco Baptist Church
Schools: Capernaum School, Muddy Fork Academy, Waco Academy, Waco School, Waco High School
Early businesses: Mauney Saw Mill & Cotton Gin, Kendrick Brickmaking, Spargo Roller Mill, a knitting mill, Buffalo Paper Mill nearby
Early families: Barrett, Carpenter, Hord, Kendrick, Miller, Putnam, Whitworth
Famous people: Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Floyd Patterson

Floyd Patterson was born in Waco, NC in 1935. He won a gold medal in the 1952 Olympics before going pro. He went on to win the World Heavyweight Championship title in 1956 and 1960. Read more. . .

Additional Information on Waco
Town of Waco, NC website
Town of Waco Facebook page
Waco, NC Wikipedia entry