WARREN COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) -- After political backlash and running out of funding, America's first free-standing city, which was started right here in North Carolina, was pretty much deemed a failure. But if you take a closer look, the town in Warren County was far from a failure but more of a launch pad for surrounding cities. ‘Soul City’: Civil rights leader tried to create rural utopia in North Carolina over 50 years ago In 2024, the town that carries the unique name Soul City is not exactly what its founder Floyd McKissick Sr. imagined it to be when he founded it in the early 70s, but something did materialize here. Today, Soul City, which is now called the U.S. 1 Project, may look like a ghost town at first glance, but if you look closer, you'll see is a small but functioning community. Over the years, ownership of some of the original buildings has changed hands, and construction on new developments has started. New homes and subdivisions have been built, and new families have settled in. "Land for sale" signs line the roadways, and there is plenty of room for new development and industry. "I think there is a new generation that has interest in understanding Soul City and its legacy, but more importantly, understanding how they can live a better life living in Warren County and Soul City. That gives me hope," said Floyd McKissick Jr., son of Soul City founder McKissick Sr. and former director of planning for Soul City.  Just outside the city, you see the growth made possible by Soul City's existence. Towns like Henderson, Norlina and Warrenton, are all blossoming with the help of the foundation laid by Soul City. ‘Soul City’: Remains of planned utopia in rural North Carolina find new life over 50 years later "Where is all the development right now? It's all on the property that was originally Soul City. Down the street, we've got Perdue Chicken. Right around the corner, we've got the industrial paper company," said Charmaine McKissick-Melton, daughter of Soul City founder McKissick Sr. "The jobs that are being provided, the education that's being provided, the recreational facilities that are being provided today to people in Warren County are all a result of Soul City, but most people don't know that," McKissick Jr. said. Current residents are optimistic about the future of Soul City. Charles Parrish has been living in Soul City with his family since 1982. "In the future, it probably will be successful. It's moving up slowly," Parrish said. Founder FMcKissick Sr. died in 1991. He is buried in Soul City on the same land where he built his home. His dream and legacy live on through his children who continue to educate people about the tremendous impact of Soul City and work to preserve its history through historic markers and landmark designations. McKissick Sr.'s youngest daughter Charmaine still lives in Soul City in the home her parents built back in the 1970s. ‘Soul City’: Why wasn’t dream of planned utopia in rural North Carolina ever fully realized? There are no immediate major plans for Soul City as of right now, but the McKissick children are optimistic about its potential to still become a version of what their father envisioned it to be. "Today, you’re seeing new growth. You’re seeing new interest. You're seeing new families locate there. You're seeing as a result of people getting priced out of Raleigh Durham and Chapel Hill, thinking about driving 45 or 50 minutes to live in Soul City," McKissick Jr. said.