The History Of Seven Lakes — Final Chapter

With the 50th birthday of Seven Lakes I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Alan Shaw, one of the original developers of Seven Lakes to enlighten residents to a factual version of our history with a Seven Part  Series, “The 50 Year Saga Of Seven Lakes.“

There are many reasons that our community has not only survived but has flourished during its 50-year history.  In the last article we indicated this article would be the last in our series on the 50-year history of Seven Lakes. 

We are taking our literary license mulligan!  This  month, the final chapter and the conclusion of the “Rest of the Story”.

The billion dollars of tax value primarily consists of =/+ half acre lots with homes of various designs and sizes and the commercial area.  Yet, another part of the appeal of our community is that there is a place (Morgan Woods) that you can buy acreage.  This area is approximately 500 acres located in the Southwest corner of Seven Lakes West.  These tracts are primarily 4 to 5 acres and provide an attractive alternative to the more conventional lot. 

There are many reasons that our community has not only survived but has flourished during its 50-year history.  A robust Real Estate Brokerage community has been an integral part of that success.  As the developers have phased out for various reasons discussed in this series of articles, the Real Estate Brokerage community has provided a market maker for all the homes and homesites.

In the early days of Seven Lakes, the growth in population in Moore County was significantly lower in both raw numbers and percentage growth than in the last 20 years.  That growth has resulted in an amazing increase in the number of real estate businesses and agents.  The marketing of Seven Lakes in the early years reached out primarily to cities and states in the North East and resulted in prospective buyers coming directly to a company owned real estate center.  There was very little marketing energy created by Moore County area brokers or agents.   As the growth numbers increased, both in people moving to the area and also in brokers and agents, the need for inventory expanded significantly and the Seven Lakes community was recognized by all as the best option.

So, the brokerage community became an advertising and promotional arm for Seven Lakes.  One can ask, why Seven Lakes rather than other area communities? 

The answer to that question is primarily a 3-part answer.  First, the quality of the people that already were in Seven Lakes. Second, the beauty of the community along with the recreational facilities. Thirdly, all the support infrastructure located in the Seven Lakes commercial area.

Another reason the community has survived is the people that were living in the community. Shaw said that he hesitates to name names because of the fear of missing so many that made significant contributions. 

Yet, with apologies to those that he misses, he agreed to name a few in no special order.  Joe Cline was one of the original partners.  His contribution was far greater than as an original developer.  He was involved in every social event as a worker bee.  Buddy and Peggy Makepeace relocated their family from Sanford to become the face of the community in their sales office. 

They also actively participated in making the community a caring friendly place to live.  Bobbie and Dawson Carr were the first non-employee homeowner and took the risk building when the roads were dirt and dusty.  Lou and Mary Featherston moved from Durham and became stalwarts promoting our community and organizing events.  Jane and Tom Hines retired here from Raleigh only to find full time jobs volunteering to assist and every community event.  Ditto that for Bob and Lib Kollman, Don and Vi Everhart, and Nancey Appen.  Many folks make the decision to move their businesses or start new one’s in our village.  Clawson Williams, Joe Horney, Dan and Evelyn Faezille, John Lauten, Lance Horney, Elaine Yow Girgis, Chess Haney, Sam and Jo Copper, Bill Patman, , Phillip Brown, Dr. Hal Tarleton, and Ronnie Graham were among the first to make the commitment to live and work in our community. Most of the sales team moved here with their families.  They include Jeb Koury, Randy Campbell, Phil Harrell, and Mary Ann Hall.

There was a combination of all different demographics coming together to live in a beautiful area as good friends and neighbors. The success of the community is a testament to the people that live here.

With all the difficulties getting to this point in the development process, our community had and has become the hottest real estate market area in the county.

The Landowners Associations both the SLLA and the SLWLA have done a remarkable job in operation and maintaining the recreational assets and the roads.  It must be noted that individuals that have settled here are responsible for the operation of the Community Associations.  Board of Directors and committee members are volunteers and serve our community without pay and far too few “thank you’ s”.  It is impossible to overstate the value of the landowner associations. Without their operational guidance including rules, oversight, and facility management, our community would not exist as we know it today. 

Shaw ask to editorialize with this statement: “As good a job as the homeowner’s associations have done over the years, Incorporation is required for the community to thrive another 50 years.  We are simply too large with too many infrastructure issues.

Working through these challenging issues without the ability to tax is not a path that should be chosen.  In fairness, that tax must be done on an ad valorem basis which an incorporation does to meet the needs of its residents and property owners”. The landowner’s association can continue to operate the facilities as private property and will have significant funding available from budget items of security and road maintenance that can be assumed by the incorporated town.”

Alan Shaw has told the story of Seven Lakes from a view from the inside for 11 years during the infancy and formation and having lived here for almost the entire 50 years of the existence of the community.  He has been painfully direct and made no attempt to gaslight our readers.  He closes with this comment: “Without Fred R Lawrence, none of this would have happen.  A genuine sincere thanks and tip of the hat to him for a community that is simply an amazing place to work and live”.

A final tribute.  

Alan Shaw has told the story of Seven Lakes from a view from the inside for 11 years during the infancy and formation and having lived here for almost the entire 50 years of the existence of the community.  He has been painfully direct and made no attempt to gaslight our readers.  He closes with this comment:

“Without Fred R Lawrence, none of this would have happen.  A genuine sincere thanks and tip of the hat to him for a community that is simply an amazing place to work and live”.