Chronology

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1. Early twentieth century · 1900–1944

2. November 8, 1924
   Chapel Hill Rameses, the live ram mascot, makes his debut for Carolina

   Head cheerleader Vic Huggins won athletic department approval and $25 to buy a ram as a mascot. Rameses first appeared at the football game against the Virginia Military Institute, which Carolina won 3-0.

3. 1944–1968
   Founding or opening · East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill Vic and Rebecca Huggins run Huggins Hardware on East Franklin Street

   The Hugginses bought the University Hardware Company and opened Huggins Hardware on March 22, 1944, adding kitchenware and general merchandise to the keys, paint and tools. They sold the store in 1968.

4. Civil rights era · 1945–1975

5. 1968
   Property or economic transaction · Huggins Hardware, East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill Vic Huggins sells his East Franklin hardware store but lets it keep his name

   Huggins sold the store he had owned since 1944, and Huggins Hardware ran on under new owners until Miami Subs replaced it between 1989 and 1993.

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Compiled and maintained by the Friends of the Orange County Public Library from county records, the sources named on each card, and the index’s event pages. Last updated October 1, 2026.