Sharp Institute was a boarding school located in the Intelligence area of western Rockingham County, NC. The school was founded by James Merritt Sharp (1877-1952) in 1900, and was in operation until 1907 when it was destroyed by fire. After passing the bar in 1908, Sharp practiced law in Rockingham County for 44 years. Sharp was the father of Susie Sharp (1907-1996) who served as Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court from 1974-1978.