An Auspicious Start
After the American Revolution, the former English colony “Carolina” became the state of North Carolina. The location of the capital city was chosen, as so many things are, by the wealthiest and most prominent citizens of the state. It was in a central location and it was hoped that those in the thickly populated coastal region would migrate west. Named after Sir Walter Raleigh, one of the first English settlers to arrive on America’s shores, the city of Raleigh was born in 1792.
The dignitaries of North Carolina’s capital city set a standard of excellence for building the State House and Governor’s Residence, and residents followed suit. This resulted in lovely Victorian homes and charming shops and churches, many of which are still enjoyed today.
Fortunately for all, the city’s founding fathers held a real appreciation for the beautiful hardwoods that were prolific in the area. They decided from the beginning that as many mighty oaks would stay in place as possible, and they drew up a plan accordingly. They dubbed Raleigh the “City of Oaks” and amazingly, despite remarkable growth, the original plan is still in force. In 1975, Raleigh was named the first “Green Survival City” in the nation.
A Historic House
The State Capitol, a well-preserved example of Greek-Revival style architecture, is a National Historic Landmark. The original State House burned down in 1831, and the new Capitol was finished in 1840. It is said that the ghost of a confederate soldier roams the second floor, making strange noises and causing unexplained occurrences. A focal point of the rotunda is a marble statue of George Washington and 14 grand monuments are on display on Union Square.
To The Rescue
For more than 100 years, Raleigh remained an unassuming, quiet southern city. But by the late 1950s it became apparent to local government and business people that the sagging economy, based on tobacco, textiles and furniture, needed a boost.
The Research Triangle Park (RTP) was cut out of scrub pine forest and old farmland just west of Raleigh. Dignitaries set out to draw people to the area, hoping that having Duke University, North Carolina State University and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill nearby would lure big business. By the 1960s, a steady flow began, and when IBM moved in, in 1969, the dam broke. Growth has been the watchword since; Raleigh is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. The original one square mile has expanded to more than 100. The population increased by 4.04 percent between 1980 and 1990, and more than 30 percent between 1990 and 1999.
The Natives
Long before the Europeans arrived on the scene, the area now known as Durham was filled with activity. Two Native American tribes, the Eno and the Occoneechi, made their home there. They made their mark as well, setting down transportation paths, patterning the use of natural resources and establishing settlements. Their cultural influence is still evident in local customs and traditions found here today.
And so They Came
In the early 1700s, European explorers took note of the beauty of the area, calling it “the flower of the Carolinas.” By the mid-1700s, settlers from every part of Great Britain had made their way here, building gristmills and working the land. In 1949, Dr. Bartlett Durham provided land for a railroad station. The city was later named for Dr. Durham. Large plantations were built, and by 1860 Stagville Plantation was the heart of one of the largest plantation holdings in the region.
During this period, African-Americans, both slaves and free, came to the area and became a major influence on southern culture. Local cuisine, music and dance are based on many creations that came to life in the slave quarters of early Durham.
Like a House Afire
A cease-fire at the end of the Civil War erupted in revelry, and the troops celebrated with Brightleaf tobacco. The taste caught fire, literally, and so the tobacco industry was born. The Washington Duke family became one of the wealthiest in the states through the popularity of the golden leaf. The Blackwell Tobacco Company named its product “Bull” Durham tobacco, and Bull Durham became the most famous trademark in the world. Baseball’s “bull pens” are named for the trademark that was painted behind the dugouts.
New businesses followed suit. The first mill to produce denim and the largest hosiery manufacturer in the world were built. Today, Durham is known as the City of Medicine and is home to Duke University Medical Center and most of RTP.
New Hope Chapel Hill
In 1792, the hill where New Hope Chapel sat was chosen as the site for the University of North Carolina, the oldest state university in America. As the buildings went up, residents dubbed the town New Hope Chapel Hill, shortened to Chapel Hill not long after. The first students arrived in 1795 and the village began to grow. The Old Well, once the only source water for faculty and students, still stands on the campus as a reminder of the University’s rich history. The city of Chapel Hill is still a university town, and UNC Hospitals are recognized and respected throughout the world. Franklin Street is the center of downtown and runs parallel to the UNC campus. The expected trendy college crowd can be found here, but the charming cobbled sidewalks and the variety of interesting shops draw people from all walks of life.
The Triangle has expanded to include many counties and suburbs, most notably the towns of Apex, Cary and Wake Forest, and the area continues to grow. What started out as pine forest and farmland has evolved into a hotbed of biological and technological research and development. It is a cultural and recreational playground as well.
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