Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a university town in Orange County, North Carolina, sitting in the central part of the Research Triangle. Streets follow the hilly terrain, and the central campus connects with residential neighborhoods through tree-lined avenues.

The settlement grew around the planned university in the late 18th century, which became the first public university in the country. During the 20th century, the town developed into a center for research and progressive movements in the region.

The name comes from the New Hope Chapel that stood at a crossroads in the 18th century. The community maintains a strong music tradition, and the Franklin Street section often hosts performances and small festivals.

The downtown area is easy to walk, with many shops and cafes close together. Free public transit makes it simple to move between different parts of town and the university area.

The planetarium trained more than 60 astronauts for space navigation during the 1960s. The facility used a special dome projection at the time to simulate star patterns and celestial bodies.

Location: Orange County

Inception: 1793

Elevation above the sea: 149 m

Part of: Research Triangle

Website: https://townofchapelhill.org

GPS coordinates: 35.90731,-79.04992

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:01