NC 562 Wilton to Virgilina 1933 Official

NC 562 becomes NC 96 1941-42 Official

NC 96 extended well to the south 1952 Shell

About 1960, NC 96 was rerouted to duplex with US 701 to meet US 301, to accomodate the construction of I-95. This left behind a bit of SR 1182 Boyette Rd as well as a little US 301.
In August 1970 (NCDOT), NC 96 was removed from SR 1650/1653 Raleigh St (only a pedestrian overpass of I-85 now...there was an interchange there originally), SR 1602 Henderson St, SR 1653 Main St and a block of US 158. It instead was placed on new construction to connect with existing Linden Ave.

NC 96 original Oxford routing 1968 Granville County

NC 96 original Oxford routing 1972 Granville County

The first NC 96 was born in 1930 as new primary routing running from NC 90 near Taylorsville south to NC 17 (now 3rd Ave) Hickory. It is possible NC 96 was put on the two blocks of NC 17 down to US 70/NC 10 as well.
In late 1934, NC 96 was extended south to NC 73 (now NC 10) Propst Crossroads, replacing part of NC 17.
Between 1931-36, NC 96 was rerouted in two places in Alexander County: It was removed from Willie McLeod Rd near NC 90; It was removed from its original Catawba River crossing which was accessed via today's Cemetary Loop, Catawba Shores Dr and Victoria Ln. The new route used today's Shiloh Church Rd.
In late 1940, NC 96 was renumbered as NC 127. It is still NC 127 except NC 96 used Center St from west of the US 321 freeway all the way through downtown Hickory, then 5th Ave NE over to 2nd St NE.

NC 96 initial routing 1930 Official

NC 96 extended south 1937 Rand McN

NC 96 becomes NC 127 1941-42 Official