With the help of our partners at Chatham County Historical Association, we are excited to announce the addition of new materials that chronicle the history of one of Siler City’s oldest businesses, the Farmers’ Alliance Store. Started in 1888, the Farmers’ Alliance Store continously served the local community for 130 years. At the time of its closure in 2018, it was the oldest store in operation in Siler City and had remained at the same location throughout its existence.
The store was first started by a group of farmers who endeavored to find a cheaper way to procur supplies and goods. The solution was a centralized store, from which goods could be traded, bartered, and bought in bulk by members of the Farmers’ Alliance Store. The ability to buy stock in the store was exclusive to farmers, who could buy items at low prices and earn dividends from the store’s profits. The store was completely owned by its members and was run by a manager and directors. Throughout the 20th century, the Farmers’ Alliance Store in Siler City would continue to practice this business model while also expanding its store offerings to the broader community as well.
This latest batch includes six stock books and two minutes books from the Farmers’ Alliance Store that date from 1890 to 1967. The stock books contain information on farmers who held stock in the store, along with information on the different lodges of the Farmers’ Alliance Store stock system. The minute books record decisions, management, and store history.
![A page from the Farmers' Alliance Store Stock Book [1890-1904]. Beneath the title "Shares of Stock in F. A. C. Aurora, Lodge, 386" is a table with the names of stock holders, their initial amount of stock, their dividend amount, and the date.](https://www.digitalnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-12-141419.png)
More information about the Farmers’ Alliance Store can be discovered through two booklets created by the store and made digitally accessible through the Chatham County Historical Association’s website. The booklets are linked below:
- History of the Farmer’s Alliance Store, Inc. Siler City, NC 100th Year, 1888-1988
- Farmer’s Alliance Store, Inc., A 15-Year Companion Booklet, 115 Years 1888-2003
More information about our partner, Chatham County Historical Association, can be found on their website, linked here.
More materials, including yearbooks, funeral programs, photographs, and maps can be found on Chatham County Historical Association’s contributor page, linked here.
