The impetus for the settlement that became Selma came from a plan the General Assembly in 1848 worked out to build a railroad. The legislators promised that if citizens would provide a million dollars for this venture, the state would furnish two million. Then the North Carolina Railroad would be built from Charlotte to Greensboro; thence to Raleigh, connecting with the Raleigh and Gaston Road; and on to Goldsboro, connecting with the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad there. That section of track from Raleigh and Goldsboro was to open Johnston County to all of the benefits that "modern" transportation provides. The 223-mile railroad was opened to trains in 1856. Of the many towns, which sprang up along the route, one was Selma just eleven years later. For the first time farmers and tradesmen of this area had a "road" on which to ship out goods and produce and receive much needed supplies from other areas.
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.
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