Area History
Settlement of the Roanoke Valley began in the early 1700’s when English colonists began to move south from Virginia. The valley's fertile land was ideal for farming and a plantation system gradually developed. Originally, slave labor was used and crops such as wheat, corn, peas, and tobacco were grown for markets outside North Carolina.
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The Roanoke River didn’t lead to a good ocean port, but passable roads did connect the valley with the North Carolina backcountry and with nearby Virginia port towns. The Dismal Swamp Canal was completed in the early 1800’s and it provided a direct water route to Norfolk and linked the Roanoke Valley to Virginia both by settlement and trade.
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The Roanoke Valley is well known for the Halifax Resolves, which is a document written in Halifax that led to the creation of the Declaration of Independence. On April 12, 1776, North Carolina’s Continental Congress delegates voted for independence and the Resolves were unanimously adopted by the Fourth Provincial Congress.
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This was the first official action by a colony calling for independence, and Halifax became known as North Carolina’s “cradle of history.”

Architectural History
At first, Roanoke Valley settlers weren’t very concerned about the style of their buildings and built their homes with locally available materials that fared well in the climate and met their basic needs.
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By the mid 1700’s, American colonists became more interested in European culture and architectural style. And, it was during this time that wealthier Americans began to build houses and other structures according to the European ideas of harmony, proportion, and decoration.
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Today our vast farmland, beautiful forests, quiet rivers, lovely homes, and our interesting history are great attractions to those who want to live and vacation in the wonderful Roanoke Valley.
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To experience our history and learn more about the area you might enjoy visiting the following:
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"First for Freedom" outdoor drama
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River Falls Park
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Canal Arts Center
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Medoc Mountain State Park
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The Remembering Tillery Project
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The Allen Grove Rosenwald School
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Sally-Billy House (ca. 1810)
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Royal White Hart Masonic Lodge (ca. 1820's)
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The Mill Villages in Roanoke Rapids (ca. 1890's)
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Atlantic Coast Line Passenger Station, Enfield (ca. 1920's)
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Weldon Freight Depot (ca. 1840 - oldest railroad building in NC)

For more information:
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Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce
(252) 537-3513
www.rvchamber.com
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Halifax County Visitors Bureau
(800) 522-4282
www.visithalifax.com
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Northampton County Chamber of Commerce
www.northamptonchamber.org