Roanoke Rapids North Carolina

Roanoke Rapids North Carolina

The Roanoke Valley is located in northeastern North Carolina along Interstate 95. We are just south of the Virginia state line and approximately 90 miles west of the Atlantic coast. Halifax County encompasses 732 square miles, and Northampton County covers 549 square miles. Driving time to both Raleigh, NC, and Richmond, VA, is approximately 90 minutes. Washington, D.C. is a three-hour drive.

Roanoke Rapids NC located on the Roanoke River in North Carolina's Inner Banks at the fall line, which marks the area where an upland region (continental bedrock) and a coastal plain (coastal alluvia) meet. The fall line is typically prominent where a river crosses it, for there will usually be rapids or waterfalls. Because of these features river boats typically can not travel any further inland. Because of the need of a port, and ready supply of water power, settlements often developed where the river crosses the fall line. In fact, this river is what caused Roanoke Rapids to initially develop. Sam Patterson and other textile contractors originally built their mills along this river to promote their business in a better location than they previously had.

The most prominent example of fall line settlement was the establishment of the cities along the eastern coast of the United States where the Appalachian Rise and the coastal plains meet.

The seven mile long Roanoke Rapids Canal trail starts at the Roanoke dam and ends roughly a mile after passing the historic aqueduct. The trail is fairly narrow, which limits access only to walkers, runners, and bikers.

Roanoke Rapids is known for a number of historical sites. The original Roanoke Rapids High School building or Senior building as it is sometimes referred, opened in 1921 and still in use, embodies many elements of Elizabethan Gothic and Tudor Revival architecture in its castle-like facade. It was built by industrialist Samuel Paterson and designed by renowned architect Hobart Upjohn in a modified H-design. It is the dominant building in the city's central core and is flanked by another castle like structure which formerly housed a National Guard Armory. The Roanoke Canal Museum focuses on the former shipping canal built in the 18th century and is located in a former canal lock building.

Roanoke Rapids is also home of the future Carolina Crossroads, an entertainment district founded by Dolly Parton and her brother Randy Parton. When finished, it will feature an amphitheater, aquarium, water park, billiards center, and more attractions. The billiards center is the idea of world-famous billiards player Jeanette Lee.

Find Premiere Roanoke Rapids NC Real Estate Agents