Garner’s proximity to the capital city of North Carolina and its quick access from US 70 has made it a large part of the urban sprawl that is taking place throughout the Triangle area. Affordable housing and a traditional southern feel is a big draw for Garner. Garner, much like Apex, Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina, has enjoyed the spoilings of an area with several major universities, Research Triangle Park and good old-fashioned Southern Hospitality!
Neighbors and residents enjoy a family-oriented atmosphere, small-town festivals and Friday night high school football games, while enduring a short commute to major employment hot spots. Since development has been steady, but not explosive over the last decade, Garner has had time to plan for essential facilities and services to accommodate the growth that's now coming its way.
Location
Garner, a Wake County town, is located at the interchange of Interstate 40 and US Highway 70. Much like Cary and Apex, this area offers quick access to Raleigh, RTP and all of the amenities and benefits the area has to offer. Garner residents can be at the beach, on the eastern coast of the state in approximately 2-3 hours. Getting to the mountains is just a few hours more in the car – approximately 4 to 5 hours.
Garner is located at 35°41′54″N, 78°37′22″W (35.698243, -78.622865)GR1. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.2 km² (13.6 mi²). 33.2 km² (12.8 mi²) of it is land and 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) of it (5.60%) is water.
The population was 17,757 at the 2000 census. Garner is approximately 6.1 miles from Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina.
History
Much like Fuquay-Varina and Apex, Garner’s growth and prosperity started with the coming of the railroad. In 1847, the state representatives voted that Garner would be the chosen location of the station for the North Carolina Railroad. Garner's Station was established with the construction of a post office in 1878 and the Town of Garner's Station incorporated in 1883.
It is said there were settlers in the Garner area, located within St. Mary’s Township, before the Revolutionary War. Documentation will show there was a church south of Garner in the Panther Branch Township as early at 1756! The Late Parker Rand claims King George granted Rand’s forefathers 3,000 acres of land in 1759, and part of this land encompassed Rand’s Mill. Rand’s Mill Pond is now known as Lake Benson, which borders Garner and Raleigh. The pond was enlarged in 1951 and is currently used as a reservoir.
In 1891, the village of Garner's Station had its charter repealed, and in 1905 application was made and granted for its reinstatement as the Town of Garner.
The origin of the name, Garner, is still in debate. One story says that Thomas Bingham, who had a general store and also handled the mail service, named Garner. Webster's Dictionary defines “garner" as a "granary," hence figuratively, a "store," he named the town "Garner." Parker Rand believed that Garner was named for a family that lived in the area and later moved to Texas. Others believe the town was named by Henry Fort, a black cabinetmaker and carpenter who owned land along the railroad after the Civil War. William S. Powell said that Garner was named for its founder, H.C. Garner. An article in The State also named H.C. Garner as its founder, but not much information has been found about the man.
The Civil War also made it mark on Garner, which saw combat during the final days of the war. Still today you can see preserved bullet holes in New Bethel Church and the “Garner” house, which is said to have been a hospital for wounded soldiers.
After the war, the town recovered and by 1878, Garner had a post office.
Garner’s economy was mostly based on farming, specifically cotton. But by the 1900s, small businesses started to pop up, including a wood shop, mercantile businesses, a drug store and several general stores. There was also a blacksmith, repair shops, boarding houses and barber shops and banks.
Taxes
If you live in the corporate limits of Garner, your tax rate is 57.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation plus the county rate of 60.4 cents per $100, for a total tax of $1.179 per $100 in 2007.
Property is appraised every eight years. The assessed valuation is 100% of the appraised value. The county property tax rate is 60.4 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,757 people, 6,950 households, and 4,830 families residing in the town, and:
• The Median age was 36
• For every 100 females there were 93.5 males
• 25% of the population was younger than 18
• Median income was $47,380 per household
• Median income was $58,302 per family
• Male income average was $37,359
• Female income average was $29,805
• Per capita income for Garner was $22,433
• 6.8% of the population were below poverty line
Also from the 2000 census, the racial makeup of the town was 67.02% White, 27.13% African American, 0.41% Native American, 1.11% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.77% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race made up 4.75% of the population.
Population data as of August 1, 2007 estimated 24,932 people now live in Garner.
Education
Garner’s schools fall in the Johnston County. The town has eight elementary, three middle and one high school in addition to one private school. Garner’s schools are: Creech Road Elementary, Aversboro Elementary, Vandora Springs Elementary, Rand Road Elementary, Timber Drive Elementary, Lord of Life Preschool & Kindergarten (private), Polenta Elementary, West View Elementary, Cleveland Middle, East Garner Middle, North Garner Middle and Garner High Schools.
Restaurants & Shopping
Garner has several shopping centers, including White Oak Crossing, Forest Hills Shopping Center, Garner Towne Square Center and Garner Station Shopping Center. Target, JC Penney and Sears are among the shopping staples you will find in Garner.
Restaurants include many chain and local eating establishments: Golden Corral, Dominos, Goodberry’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Grill 57, Michaels Steak & Seaford and so much more!
Parks & Recreation
Garner has two community parks for residents to enjoy, including a 60-acre piece of land at Lake Benson that is used for the Annual Independence Day Celebration in Garner. Bird watching, boat rental, fishing, swimming and other recreational activities can also be enjoyed at the lake. Picnic shelters are also available for enjoyment of the park.
There are also several neighborhood parks.
Famous residents
David West, who plays for the New Orleans Hornets of the NBA, is from Garner. David was the NCAA Player-of-the-Year at Xavier University.
Adam Stanley played for the Atlanta Braves in 2003 and is currently with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, and Arik Hempy played for the Chicago Cubs in 2003, and is currently with the Boise Hawks of the Northwest League. Former MLB player Pat Watkins played for a few teams in Major League Baseball and has been inducted into the East Carolina University Hall of Fame. He is a 1989 graduate of Garner High School.
Eric Williams, formerly of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers is from Garner. Former Cleveland Brown and Winston-Salem State University State Hall of Fame inductee, Tony Blaylock is a 1984 graduate of Garner High School. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Final Four MVP Donald Williams (basketball) is a 1991 graduate of Garner High School.
Clemson University basketball standout James Mays is a 2004 graduate of GMHS. Former National High School Rushing Yard and TD Leader Anthony Barbour is the current head football coach at Smithfield-Selma High School and a 1988 graduate of Garner High School. Dr. Todd Boyette, Director of the Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina is a 1984 graduate of Garner High School. Major General Mark T. Matthews is the commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio and a 1973 graduate of Garner High School.
Former Duke University head football coach and current University of South Florida assistant coach Carl Franks is a 1979 graduate of Garner High School. Second Lt. Lauren Robison, 2002 NCHSSA All-Around Champion gymnast, is a graduate of the US Air Force Academy and Garner High School.
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