Lumberton is located on the Lumber River in the coastal plains region of North Carolina. It was established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1788 as the seat of government for Robeson County on land donated by Gen. John Willis. The Lumber River, namesake of the city, flows through Lumberton and is part of the North Carolina Natural and Scenic River System. Lumberton is a crossroad of Interstate 95 and Highway 74, which serve to bring tourists to the city. Tourists can enjoy river recreations, including canoeing, fishing, and fossil hunting. There are many cultural activities offered by the Robeson County History Museum, Historic Robeson at the Proctor Law Office, and the Carolina Civic Center in the historic 1928 theater. Through historic photographs, Lumberton showcases the rich history of this North Carolina town that generations of citizens have created.