Dunn is the largest city in Harnett County. Originally called Lucknow, what would become present-day Dunn was a sleepy hamlet compared to Averasborough, a much larger city on the Cape Fear River. After the Battle of Averasborough in 1865, most residents from Averasborough left for Lucknow, renamed Dunn in 1873. The city of Dunn was incorporated on February 12, 1887, at which time it was a logging town and a turpentine distilling center. The name honors Bennett Dunn, who supervised the construction of the railway line between Wilson and Fayetteville.

Dunn is located along Interstate 95, halfway between New York and Florida. The Dunn area offers many wonderful things to see, do, and eat! Great golf characterizes this region of North Carolina. There are two Civil War battlefields close to Dunn, dedicated to preserving the history of our great state. Dunn has great dining and shopping, too! Visit our downtown shops and restaurants to experience the friendly charm of Dunn. There are many other attractions, and we hope you will browse this website and see all that we have to offer.