There and Back Again: Pittsboro to Statesville
A North Carolina backroad journey
By Elizabeth Poland Shugg
Backroads transport us to the places in between. This regularly occurring feature takes you to and from two southeastern destinations via winding rural roads lined with pristine woods, spacious farmland, historic sites, and locally owned businesses. Take one route there and another back to experience two unique journeys. Stop by a cafe, restaurant, or farm for a seasonally-inspired coffee or bite to eat; or to shop for fresh produce, blooms, or artisan treasures.
For Backroad Portfolio’s first “There and Back Again” feature, we’re connecting the towns our founders live in: Pittsboro and Statesville. Not accounting for time spent at stops, this drive from Pittsboro to Statesville and back adds 52 minutes to the typical interstate drive (U.S. 64 to Interstate 85 to Interstate 40), while the route back adds about 30 minutes. Both options meander through small towns and communities, offering picturesque views of farmland, crumbling tobacco barns and old country stores.
Note: Some businesses market their products off-site or online only, so while it’s OK to drive by their property, it may not always be appropriate to enter it. Check the businesses’ websites for more information before taking your trip.
Pittsboro to Statesville
Pittsboro to Siler City to Liberty to Franklinville to Linwood to Statesville = 2 hours 43 minutes; 116 miles
Google Maps link for your GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/swySfbtKtTGDa71F6
Starting point:
S&T’s Soda Shop
85 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312
Graham Woodworking, Pittsboro
3460 Silk Hope Gum Spring Rd, Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312
Head toward U.S. 64 Business from downtown Pittsboro and turn right onto N.C. 87 North. Turn left on Silk Hope Gum Spring Road and you’ll soon pass Graham Woodworking on the right, which is owned by a family of berry and vegetable farmers who also happen to be experienced woodcrafters. They lovingly craft aromatic red cedar chests out of logs harvested from nearby forests on an environmentally friendly bandmill, using every scrap of wood to make additional products, such as red cedar grilling planks and hangers. The family sells their chests and other products every Saturday at the Carrboro Farmers Market. Learn more at grahamwoodworking.com.
Bottom of the Fox Farm, Siler City
157 Joe Fox Road, Siler City, North Carolina 27344
Continue on Silk Hope Gum Spring Road and turn left on Joe Fox Road to reach Bottom of the Fox Farm on the left. Customers are welcome to the self-serve seasonal flower bar near the farm entrance. Just drop cash in the green box for whatever flowers you take, or Venmo payment to @BF_Farm. The farm also offers a 1966 Ford flower van on a pop-up schedule that serves up fresh seasonal bouquets or small bunches, and you can also sign up for a tulip subscription at bottomofthefoxfarm.com. Follow the farm’s Instagram account at @bottomofthefoxfarm to learn more.
Hurricane Janes, Liberty
161 S Greensboro Street, Liberty, North Carolina 27298
Silk Hope Liberty Road morphs into Silk Hope Road and then E. Dameron Avenue, which takes you to Hurricane Janes in Liberty, where you’ll see a colorful exterior on the outside, and find homemade specials, burgers and hot dogs on the inside for a classic American meal. Learn more at facebook.com/hurricanejanes.
Native Son Vineyard, Franklinville
1511 Mamie May Road, Franklinville, North Carolina 27248
Head northwest on S. Greensboro Street toward W. Raleigh Avenue, then turn left on W. Swannanoa Avenue, which becomes Old Liberty Road. Drive through Grays Chapel and turn right onto Bruce Pugh Road, which veers right onto Bethany Church Road. Soon after, you’ll come to Native Son Vineyard on the right, which offers a wide variety of wines made from Noble, Magnolia, Carlos, and Summit muscadines; along with muscadine cider, hot pepper jelly and salsa. The property is also home to rescue horses, mules, sheep, pot-belly pigs, a donkey, and a mule. Learn more at nativesonvineyard.godaddysites.com.
Yadkin County Dog Park
11127 Old Salisbury Road, Linwood, North Carolina 27299
Traveling with a four-legger? Add a stop at Yadkin County Dog Park for a doggie stretch break. From Native Son Vineyard, plug the park’s address into your GPS. You’ll take a series of roads that take you to U.S. 29 in Linwood. The dog park is located next to Yadkin River Park, where there are trails you can walk as well. Learn more at yadkincountync.gov/464/dog-park.
220 Cafe
220 S. Center Street, Statesville, North Carolina
From Yadkin County Dog Park, head southwest on U.S. 29/U.S. 70 West toward Spencer, then turn right on Charles Street and right again on Hollywood Drive. Turn right on U.S. 601 North, turn left on W. Ridge Road, then hop on U.S. 70 to Center Street in Statesville, and turn right toward downtown Statesville, where you can enjoy a meal at 220 Cafe, a family-owned tavern-style restaurant offering salads, sandwiches, burgers and full entrees. Learn more at the220cafe.com.
Statesville to Pittsboro
Statesville to Mt. Ulla to Salisbury to Asheboro to Pittsboro = 2 hours 28 minutes, 213 miles
Google Maps link for your GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/oD4p3bnKTbsEKTpt5
Starting point:
220 Cafe
220 S. Center Street, Statesville, North Carolina
West Rowan Home & Garden
11575 N.C. 801, Mt. Ulla, North Carolina 28125
Take Amity Hill Road out of Statesville and turn left on Ostwalt Amity Road, which eventually turns back into Amity Hill Road. Turn right on Umberger Road and left on N.C. 801. Soon after, make a right onto Graham Road to arrive at West Rowan Home & Garden, which specializes in one-of-a-kind, hand-painted barn quilts, and offers a variety of other vintage, antique, and handmade items. Hours vary. Learn more at westrowanbarnquilts.com.
Salisbury National Cemetery
202 Government Road, Salisbury, North Carolina 28144
Head northwest on Graham Road toward N.C. 801 North, then take Sherrills Ford Road to Military Avenue and then Government Road, where you’ll find a beautiful tribute to veterans of the armed forces. At Christmas, wreaths are honorably hung on each gravestone. As of 2020, a total of 26,000 veterans and their family members were buried in the cemetery’s original and annexed site. Learn more at cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/salisbury.asp.
Tamarac Marina
9120 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, North Carolina 28146
From the cemetery, head north on Government Road toward South Railroad Street, then right on East Monroe Street and left onto South Long Street. Turn right on Bringle Ferry Road and after about 10 miles, you’ll reach Tamarac Marina for a view of High Rock Lake. You can also grab a bite to eat at the marina restaurant. Learn more at tamaracmarina.weebly.com.
Back to Earth Farm
3175 Trotter Road, Asheboro, North Carolina 27205
Head southeast on Bringle Ferry Road and turn right on Lick Creek Church Road and drive for about 5 miles, then turn right onto Handy Road, and left on N.C. 49 North. Drive for about 8 miles then turn right on Trotter Road, which heads straight toward Back to Earth Farm in Asheboro. The farm produces 100 percent grass-fed beef and offers overnight stays via Airbnb at the farm’s cabin. You can also book a farm tour via Airbnb. Learn more at backtoearthfarm.com.
S&T’s Soda Shop
85 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312
For the last leg of your trip, take N.C. 49 to U.S. 64 to exit 378 to U.S. 64 Business toward downtown Pittsboro. Turn right on West Street then head to the traffic circle around the town’s historic courthouse. Exit onto Hillsborough Street—the heart of downtown Pittsboro—and stop at S&T’s Soda Shoppe for a vintage experience and much-deserved ice cream sundae. Learn more at sandtsodashoppe.com.
Look for a new There and Back Again travel feature in each issue of Backroad Portfolio.