Population:  792

Form of Government: Mayor and Council

Mayor:  Eddie Callahan

Town Clerk:  Jody Smith

Phone:  (910) 245-4676

Address:  140 S. Alma St., 28394

The first European settlers of the area that later became known as Vass were primarily Scots, although there was also an early ­settlement of Germans. 

The Raleigh Augusta Railroad made Vass one of the area’s heaviest ­shipping points for lumber, cotton products and farm produce. 

Originally called Bynum, then Winder, the little settlement was ­finally designated Vass in 1892 in honor of Major William W. Vass, who was a railroad paymaster. 

The town was incorporated in 1907, and business thrived.

Vass was once the home of three newspapers (The Pilot originated there),  and it competed with ­neighboring Cameron for the title of “Dewberry Capital” in the 1920s. 

U.S. 1 recently bypassed Vass, which retains its rural and ­agricultural character.