North Cedar Community

Among the first pioneers to settle the area that became North Cedar Community was Abner Womack, who arrived here with his family in 1856. Benjamin and Susan Burke and their children reportedly slept in tree houses for fear of animal attacks while slaves built their log house. The widowed Mary (Boon) Roach arrived with four of her sons in 1865. Another son, William, rejoined the family after serving in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. North Cedar Community soon became a small enclave of Confederate supporters. Many had left the ravaged southern states, particularly Mississippi, in search of new beginnings. Many in the area were destitute after the war, but the community continued to grow. In 1875 the nondenominational Williamson Cemetery Church was organized on the grounds of the existing Williamson Cemetery. Womack School, established in 1884, was first taught by Marion Jefferson "Jeff" roach. Though most residents continued to farm, Southern Pine Lumber Company provided jobs for many in North Cedar Community from 1900 to 1912. The Civilian Conservation Corps built and maintained roads, fire lanes and bridges during the Depression era, making the North Cedar Community more accessible in any weather.

Few area farms were more than 100 acres, making them too small to bear the expense of modern agricultural machinery. The school was consolidated with Apple Springs Schools in 1939, and most young people moved to the cities to support the World War II homefront effort. Farms were consolidated into larger parcels more suited to cattle raising, and paper companies bought much of the former lumber lands. In the early 21st century, all that remained of North Cedar Community were a few scattered houses. (2000).