Located 10 miles west of Raleigh off I-40, Morrisville was a sleepy, community of 1,000 people in 1990. Today, its residential population is nearing 10,000, with another 30,000 people commuting into town daily to work at the industrial and commercial enterprises that have sprung up. The town celebrated its 150th birthday in 2002.
According to town and Colonial records, Governor Tryon’s army camped “at Jones’ on Crabtree Creek” on May 7, 1771, on their way to fight in Hillsborough. This was the site of Nathaniel and Tingnall Jones’ plantation and where Morrisville is now located.
Morrisville was chartered in 1852 when landowner Jeremiah Morris gave the railroad a right-of-way and three acres of land. The Shiloh community, now a part of Morrisville, was established in 1867. The Reverend Ed Cole was instrumental in organizing the congregation of Shiloh, and was described as "the Moses of his people - leading them to the Promised Land.” In 1925, Rev. James Dunston served as the pastor for Shiloh Baptist Church and secured 2,000 acres of land, which he partitioned into farms for the original 12 family church members. They were pioneers and entrepreneurs for the Shiloh community – co-op businesses, social clubs and a community center were established. From those original 12 families, there now are over 150 descendants currently residing in Shiloh.
Morrisville is approximately 10 square miles – except for a small 11-acre
portion of the town located in Durham County, all of the town´s corporate limits
are within Wake County.
Located
adjacent to Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Research Triangle Park,
Morrisville has enjoyed significant commercial and industrial growth in recent
years.
The
population of Morrisville continues to increase rapidly and the town has become
a major employment center due in large part to its central location near
Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Research Triangle Park. There are
several
commercial/office parks within the town limits. Town Hall Commons, a mixed-use
business and residential area in the village core area of Morrisville, includes
452 single-family homes and town homes.
Morrisville is also home to the largest retail outlet center in the Triangle,
Prime Outlets, which has over 30 manufacturer owned outlet stores. A new and
exciting local business is Chatham Hill Winery; guests are greeted in the
tasting room, where they can sample a variety of the wines produced there.
More than 800 businesses call Morrisville home. The growth will continue: Town officials have approved construction of enough living units to boost Morrisville's population to 15,000 by 2005.
The Morrisville Community Center, with pool and tennis courts, and the Morrisville Community Park enrich the lives of residents and neighboring guests. Other facilities include the Luther Green Community Center, Shiloh Park, Ruritan Park, National Mayo Picnic Shelter and the Sarah Woody Jenkins Picnic Park.
Morrisville boasts a diverse range of housing options with home prices spanning from the low $100s to the high $400s.