Merrick-Moore Community originally the Millie Rone Hall Estate on the Roane Plantation, runs along Cheek Road (which was “Fish Dam Road”). Our community was officially developed by V. F. Pope and H.L. Noell in 1947, with the first Black family to purchase land and build a home in 1940. Many of the first residents to purchase lots and build were veterans of WWII who were released from the duty of service between 1945 – 1946. There were many families who purchased multiple lots, most being brothers, sisters, parents and others who had come from farms before the war.

Merrick-Moore High School was named after John Merrick, an American businessman. Born into slavery in Clinton, North Carolina, Merrick founded various companies in the Raleigh, North Carolina and Durham, North Carolina areas, most notably the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company and Aaron McDuffie Moore, M.D. was the first Black medical doctor of Durham, North Carolina, USA, and a prominent leader in the African American community based in the part of the city known as Hayti, hence the name of the community.Merrick-Moore was a power in the NCHSAC for many years winning state championships and in 1964-65 won its first state championship in football. There were several who played college football and had tryouts for professional teams from this first championship team. One whose son is a college head coach. There were other notable and nationally recognized graduates of Merrick Moore. In 1969 Merrick-Moore and all other black high schools except about six graduated their last classes with no provision being made for the preservation of their history and legacy, so it was with Merrick-Moore.

Mt Zoar Missionary Baptist Church Celebrated its 145th homecoming service in 2010. Today the history dates back 156 years. Property for the first location was donated by two white families, the Spencer and Carpenter Families. Located on Fish Dam Road, now Cheek Rd, approx. 2 ½ miles east of the current location.

Neighborhood Businesses