Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Coordinates: 35°57′15″N 77°48′20″W / 35.954112°N 77.805572°W / 35.954112; -77.805572
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Mikemaehr (talk | contribs) at 02:06, 19 February 2014 (→‎Notable residents: added ref). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Rocky Mount, North Carolina
City
Braswell Memorial Library, 727 North Grace Street downtown in Rocky Mount
Braswell Memorial Library, 727 North Grace Street downtown in Rocky Mount
Official seal of Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Seal
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Carolina
CountiesNash, Edgecombe
FoundedCirca March 22, 1816
IncorporatedFebruary 28, 1907
Government
 • MayorDavid W.Combs
Area
 • City44.11 sq mi (114.2 km2)
 • Land43.44 sq mi (112.5 km2)
 • Water0.67 sq mi (1.7 km2)
 • Metro
219.03 sq mi (567.3 km2)
Elevation
100 ft (31 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • City57,477
 • Estimate 
(2011[1])
57,433
 • Density1,297.28/sq mi (500.88/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Zip Code
27801-04
Area code252
FIPS code37-57500
GNIS feature ID1022368Template:GR
Websitewww.rockymountnc.gov

Rocky Mount is a city in Edgecombe and Nash counties in the coastal plain of the state of North Carolina. Although it was not formally incorporated until February 28, 1907, the North Carolina community that became the city of Rocky Mount dates from the beginning of the 19th century. The first post office in the area opened in 1816. The city's population is currently at 57,477.

Rocky Mount is the principal city of the Rocky Mount, North Carolina area, which encompasses all of both Edgecombe and Nash counties. Rocky Mount is also a part of a Combined Statistical Area which encompasses both Rocky Mount and Wilson metropolitan areas. The Rocky Mount–Wilson CSA population is currently over 200,000 residents. Rocky Mount is about 45 minutes away from the state capital, Raleigh.

Rocky Mount has a growing arts community. The city operates the Maria V. Howard Arts Center, a Children's Museum & Science Center, and a Community Theater at the Imperial Centre for Arts & Sciences.[2]

Recently, the City also renovated the Douglas Block, located in Downtown Rocky Mount. Six historically significant buildings, all of which comprised the African American business district of the Downtown area in the early to mid-1900’s, was a part of this renovation. The Douglas Block also includes Thelonious Monk Plaza, named after Rocky Mount native and jazz musician Thelonious Monk.

History

Rocky Mount had its beginning in the early part of the 19th century. It centered around the first post office which was established at the Falls of the Tar River on March 22, 1816. It was at that point that the name Rocky Mount appeared in documented history. The name undoubtedly derived from the rocky mound at the falls of the Tar River, which was also the site of one of the first cotton mills in North Carolina: Rocky Mount Mills was established in 1818. The Wilmington and Weldon Railroad was built about two miles east of the mill in 1845 and became the main connection for Rocky Mount to the outside world.

An important change that the railroad brought was the establishment of Rocky Mount as a point of departure for travelers from the north and south. The Raleigh-Tarboro stage route (roughly where I-95 and U.S. 64 run today) passed just below Rocky Mount which became the logical debarking point for railroad travelers wishing to proceed east or west.

The Civil War and Reconstruction Era brought hard times to Rocky Mount. On February 19, 1867 Rocky Mount was incorporated as a town.

The establishment of the Rocky Mount tobacco market in the late 1800s is one of the town's most noteworthy developments. The demand for bright leaf tobacco rose rapidly as the tobacco industry took shape and the growth of the tobacco market led to the establishment of the town's first bank in 1889.

Also during this period, the railroad exerted a powerful influence on the town. The tracks first reached Rocky Mount on Christmas Eve in 1839. In 1840, a train of cars en route to Wilmington stopped in Rocky Mount to import some "Old Nash" for special toasts at opening festivities. The fame of Nash County apple brandy had spread fast. As Rocky Mount encouraged the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad to locate shops and yard facilities in the town, there was an influx of railroad employees into Rocky Mount. In 1871, the county line moved from the Tar River to its present location in the center of the tracks.

By the turn of the 20th century, Rocky Mount's population was approximately 3,000. A main railroad line, a well established cotton mill, and productive farmland were major contributors to the area's growth and prosperity. To encourage and promote further growth and development, the Chamber of Commerce was established in 1904.

On February 28, 1907, with a population of approximately 7,500, Rocky Mount was incorporated as a city. The 20th century brought a number of "firsts" to Rocky Mount - the first public school; one of the most modern hotels in the state, the Ricks Hotel; the first library; the establishment of the first daily newspaper, the Rocky Mount Evening Telegram; the first hospitals with services available to the public and the YMCA.[3]

City Lake drew city-wide attention in the late 1930s as a project of the Works Project Administration, and the project provided much-needed employment to the area during the Great Depression.

In view of the community's educational facilities, the 1950s and '60s brought rapid growth. A new high school opened in 1953. North Carolina Wesleyan College opened in 1960. In 1968, Nash Community College and Edgecombe Community College opened in the twin counties in order to meet the needs of citizens in technical, vocational and general education programs.

1970 marked the year Rocky Mount received an All-America City Award. The little town built upon a rock had become the progressive city on the Great Falls of the Tar. The 70's also brought a new post office building, completion of Nash General Hospital, a new campus for Nash Community College, recreational use of the reservoir on the Tar River, a new water plant, the Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport and new highways.

The 80's brought in a new regional shopping mall, Golden East Crossing, located on Wesleyan Boulevard, and in 2006, there was the addition of a 143-acre Sports Complex, equipped with six youth baseball fields; four interchangeable baseball/softball fields; one championship baseball field; eight soccer/football fields; a professional disc golf course; two outdoor basketball courts; a walking trail; sand volleyball courts; a fishing pier and a horseshoe pit. [4]

Historic Rocky Mount Mills Village

Situated near Rocky Mount's Tar River, the Rocky Mount Mills Historic Mill Village grew in the late 19th and early 20th century as a small community of tenants working for the mill. Changes in industrialization eventually forced the closing of the mill, and this intimate way of life came to an end. However, when the mill closed, the property remained intact.

Though the property has been rental for its entire existence, covenants are now being placed on the property to assure home ownership and owner occupancy. The covenants are also designed to protect the historical integrity of the existing structures in the village and to control the new infill residential construction.

Built between 1885 and 1940, each home is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places.[5] The houses themselves stand in generally good condition. A typical house can be described as a one-story building of gabled, saddlebag of frame construction with weatherboard siding, complete with gabled one-story ell and hip-roofed porch. The two-story buildings are single-pile frame construction with weatherboard siding, rear one-story addition, and hip-roofed porch. Once accommodating 145 homes, the village now contains 62 remaining residences. The layout of lots has approximated the original design for the village where the lots are deep and originally accommodated large vegetable gardens in the rear. In many cases, the original windows, doors, and hardware are intact.

While many of Rocky Mount's communities flooded during Hurricane Floyd, none of the homes in the Mill Village experienced any damage or flooding at all.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870357—
188055254.6%
189081647.8%
19002,937259.9%
19108,051174.1%
192012,74258.3%
193021,41268.0%
194025,56819.4%
195027,6978.3%
196032,14716.1%
197034,2846.6%
198041,28320.4%
199048,99718.7%
200055,89314.1%
201057,4772.8%
2011 (est.)57,433−0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
2011 estimate[7]

As of the census of 2010, there were 57,477 people, 23,097 households, and 14,639 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,312.6 inhabitants per square mile (606.7/km²). There were 26,953 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 32.4% White, 61.3% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.0% Asian, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.7% of the population.

There were 23,097 households out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.7% were married couples living together, 22.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals living alone and 26.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.5% between the ages of 1 and 19, 6.4% from 20 to 24, 24% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38.7 years. 45.8% of the population are males compared to 54.2% for females.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,059, and the median income for a family was $39,929. The per capita income for the city was $21,779. About 19.0% of the population is below the poverty line.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 44.11 square miles (114.2 km2), of which, 43.44 square miles (112.5 km2) of it is land and 0.67 square miles (1.7 km2) of it is water.

Rocky Mount is situated uniquely, in that the city straddles the county line, with part of it in Nash County and part of it in Edgecombe County. CSX Transportation tracks also separate the city at the county line.[citation needed]

Transportation

Roads

There are three major highways that intersect in Rocky Mount: U.S. Route 64, Interstate 95, and U.S. Route 301. Interstate 95 runs through a portion of west Rocky Mount; U.S. 64 is a major east-west freeway through the city; and U.S. 301 forms the major north-south thoroughfare through the city.

Interstate 95 Exits: N.C 4, Dortches Blvd., and U.S. 64 with a future exit at Sunset Avenue just south of the U.S. 64 exit.

U.S. 64 Exits: Raleigh St, Atlantic. Ave, Centura Hwy/Church. St, Benvenue Rd/Peachtree St, U.S. 301(Wesleyan. Blvd) Buck Leonard Blvd. TO Sunset Ave, Winstead Ave, Interstate 95 and Old Carriage Rd.

U.S 301 (Wesleyan. Blvd) Exits: Benvenue Rd, U.S. 64, Sunset Ave, Bethlehem Rd, West Mount Dr and N.C. 97(Raleigh Blvd).

Airports

The Rocky Mount-Wilson (RWI) Airport serves the general aviation needs of Nash, Wilson, and Edgecombe counties. It is on NC Highway 97 and is just 6.5 miles from Rocky Mount, 9 miles from Wilson and only minutes from industrial traffic routes I-95, US 64, 264, 301 and NC 98.

The closest airport with scheduled commercial service is Pitt-Greenville Airport (PGV).

Cargo and charter flights in the area also utilize the Kinston Regional Jetport.

Rail

Rocky Mount is served by Amtrak. The train station is centrally located on Main Street in downtown Rocky Mount.[8]

Nash General Hospital

Nash General Hospital, opened in 1971, was the first all-private room hospital in North Carolina.[9] It is home to a Women's Center, a Cardiovascular Services department, and a Critical Care Unit. A subunit of the hospital, known as Nash Day Hospital, opened in 1984 as a free-standing outpatient surgery center.[10] The hospital also operates The Bryant T. Aldridge Rehabilitation Center in honor of Kinston native Bryant T. Aldridge, the first manager of Nash General, which opened in 1999,[11] and the Coastal Plain Hospital, a mental health facility.[12]

Education

The City of Rocky Mount is served by the Nash-Rocky Mount Public School System, along with a number of private and charter schools in the area.

North Carolina Wesleyan College is the only four-year institution of higher education in Rocky Mount. Montreat College School of Professional and Adult Studies has established convenient location in Rocky Mount. The two community colleges serving Rocky Mount are Nash Community College and Edgecombe Community College.

Nash-Rocky Mount Elementary Schools include: Bailey Elementary, Benvenue Elementary, Braswell Elementary, Cedar Grove Elementary, Coopers School, D.S.Johnson Elementary, Englewood Elementary School, O.R. Pope Elementary School, Susie C. Baskerville Elementary School, M.B. Hubbard Elementary School, Middlesex Elementary, Nashville Elementary, Winstead Avenue Elementary School, Red Oak Elementary, Spring Hope Elementary, Swiftcreek Elementary, and Williford Elementary.

Middle schools include: JFW Parker Middle School, Edwards Middle School, Southern Nash Middle School, Red Oak Middle School, and Nash Central Middle School.

Public high schools include: Nash Central High School, Northern Nash High School, Rocky Mount High School, and Southern Nash High School. The two non-traditional public schools are Tar River Academy and NRMPS Early College High School. One North Carolina charter school located in Rocky Mount is Rocky Mount Preparatory School.

The private Christian schools located in Rocky Mount are Cornerstone Christian Academy, Crown of Victory Christian School, Faith Christian School, Falls Road Baptist School, Grace Christian School, Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH), and Showers of Blessing Christian Academy. The only secular private school in Rocky Mount is Rocky Mount Academy (a pre-kindergarten to 12th grade college preparatory school).[13]

Notable residents

References

  1. ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-25. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences
  3. ^ "About the city of Rocky Mount".
  4. ^ "About the city of Rocky Mount".
  5. ^ "rockymountmills.com".
  6. ^ United States Census Bureau. "CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING". Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  7. ^ United States Census Bureau. "Table 3. Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in North Carolina: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011 (SUB-EST2011-03-37)". Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  8. ^ Rocky Mount Station
  9. ^ "Nash General Hospital". Retrieved 2010-01-18.
  10. ^ "Nash Day Hospital". Retrieved 2010-01-18.
  11. ^ "Bryant T. Aldridge Rehabilitation Center". Retrieved 2010-01-18.
  12. ^ "Coastal Plain Hospital".
  13. ^ http://www.greatschools.org/north-carolina/rocky-mount/2171-Rocky-Mount-Academy/
  14. ^ Phil Ford basketball-reference.com profile
  15. ^ http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130815-912529.html
  16. ^ "Leonard Buck | Baseball Hall of fame". Hall of Famers. National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  17. ^ Buck Williams basketball-reference.com profile
  18. ^ http://www.maxim.com/todays-girl/mary-elizabeth-winstead-1

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

35°57′15″N 77°48′20″W / 35.954112°N 77.805572°W / 35.954112; -77.805572

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rocky_Mount,_North_Carolina&oldid=596120856"