1787Government
It was founded in 1787 by John Willis, an officer in the American Revolution.
1788Government
Lumberton was formally created by an act of the North Carolina General Assembly on November 3, 1788, which granted the town a charter and the power to levy taxes.
1791Government
The community's first school was established by Willis in 1791.
1796History
The town had a post office by 1796.
1852Government
It was formally incorporated in 1852 and granted a municipal government with a mayor and a board of commissioners.
1860Economy
The town was connected by rail with Wilmington in 1860, which reduced its reliance on river trade from Georgetown.
1870Disaster
Much of the business district was burnt down in a fire in 1870 and another in 1876.
1947Sports
For four seasons, 1947–50, Lumberton fielded a professional minor-league baseball team in the Tobacco State League.
1970History
In 1970, Lumberton was named an All-America City, presented by the National Civic League.
1986History
David Lynch's 1986 film Blue Velvet was set in Lumberton; however filming took place in Wilmington.
1988Crime
A 1988 hostage crisis at the offices of The Robesonian and the 1993 murder of James R.
1995Military
In 1995, the city won the All-America City award a second time.
2000History
=== 2000 census ===
As of the census of 2000, 20,795 people, 7,827 households and 5,165 families were residing in Lumberton.
2010History
=== 2010 census ===
As of the 2010 United States census, 21,542 people were living in the city.
2016Disaster
In 2016, Robeson County was impacted by Hurricane Matthew, leading to record flooding in Lumberton.
2018Disaster
In 2018, the county was struck by Hurricane Florence, which broke the flooding record.
2020History
As of 2020, its population was 19,025.