05/27/2026
Graham neighbors and Alamance County friends,
Back in 1996, our County Commissioners formed a Sesquicentennial Planning Committee to celebrate Alamance County's 150th birthday. For three years, everyday citizens came together- volunteering their time, energy, and resources - to create something special: Sesquicentennial Memorial Park on the Historic square in downtown Graham. It was finished in 1999. To make this happen, they sold cookbooks , bricks , and maps to help fund it. The title page of the cookbook said it all: 'this was done to symbolize the idea that the cookbooks for all the citizens of Alamance County." The included recipes were from ordinary folks, as well as dignitaries who congratulated the people of Alamance County on the fine occasion.
The first page is titled Purpose. It is dedicated to Graham, our county seat. It reads, "Seventy five acres were purchased for $623.00 to build the county seat. Nick's store was the first building erected in the town of Graham." All of this was a true community effort that we can all be proud of and the gift of this beautiful park was special and heartfelt to most of us.
Yesterday, following the City Council's orders, removal of our historic park began.It didn't take long. This demolition- even tho NC Law 100-2.1 exists to protect these type of memorials, as the council moved forward under the claim that it was " unsafe."
The council has told us many things as to why the park had to go. One of the biggest reasons- they said it would cost over a million dollars to fix it. This did not seem correct to me. They refused to get prices and bids so I had a very experienced and local engineer to review the public geotechnical report (ECS 30425J). He called it "very strange " that there were no immediate recommendations, no opinions, or guidance on what to do next. It seemed to me things were interpreted then to fit the narrative to tear down the park.
THE REALITY, ACCORDING TO THIS EXPERT, THE SOLUTION WAS THAT THE FOUNDATION COULD LIKELY BE FIXED FOR SOMEWHERE NEAR $100,000.00 IN A MATTER OF WEEKS-4 MONTHS, depending on which solution was best. THIS IS NOWHERE NEAR THE HIGHER FIGURES THAT WERE THROWN OUT TO US.
So why the rush to tear it down and spend taxpayer money instead of exploring real solutions? And don't forget that the town of Graham, who has the honor of hosting the park, presently has grant money to "revitalize Graham" that could easily pay for this.
We have respected our local leaders, but we also expect them to listen to the community they serve. These 3 council members have the power to pause, reconsider, and do what is right for Alamance County and Graham. What do you think? Should we be preserving our local history or removing it? Have you contacted your council members to voice your opinion?Let's have one more respectful conversation in the comments. Citizens of Alamance County and Graham City deserve better. Local government should reflect the will of the people who built this town.
