Introduction
The area which would eventually become Raleigh, North Carolina, was originally inhabited by Native Americans, who, it is believed, arrived in the region 10,000-12,000 years ago, with approximately 30 tribes eventually settling the area.
In 1524, Giovanni de Verranazo sets out to explore the area, becoming the first European to land in what would become later become North Carolina, and was followed by the Spanish conquistador, Hernando De Soto, sixteen years later, who came in search of gold for the Spanish government.
During the late sixteenth century, Sir Walter Raleigh laid claim to the area, establishing a British colony, which was doomed to failure, due to extensive winter hardships resulting in famine. A second colony was soon established at Roanoke, by John White, but it, too, was ill-fated and has been the subject of great speculation. In 1587, records indicate that White set out for England to replenish the settlement’s supplies. Upon his return, however, he found that all of the settlers appeared to have disappeared, leaving only an enigmatic message carved into a tree: CROATOAN. Neither the mysterious message- nor the whereabouts of the colonists- were ever solved.
However, the region would eventually attract other British settlers from the neighbouring colony of Virginia, allowing it to later become part of the colony of Carolina. The sixteenth century would also witness the Tascarora War, which erupted between the Native Americans and the European settlers. The skirmish would end, almost as abruptly as it began, marking the last significant effort by a Native American tribe to fend of Europeans.
In 1776, the Battle of Mores Creek Bridge is fought and is the first battle of the American Revolution fought in North Carolina. North Carolina became the first colony to declare independence from England following the War of Independence, becoming the twelfth state soon thereafter.
The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were interesting periods of North Carolinian history and are the centuries which witnessed the growth of Raleigh as a city. During this time, the state would produce two presidents, and the first state fair was held. In 1861, North Carolina officially left the union, setting the stage for its involvement in the Civil War.
The city of Raleigh was officially established in 1792, as both the new county seat and the state capital. It was, of course, named in honour of the explorer, Sir Walter Raleigh.
Fast Facts
- Population: 276,093 people
- 112,608 households
- 61,371 families
- Median income per household is $46,612
- Median income per family is $60,003
- Average temperatures: January 49F/30F; June 84F/65F
- Average precipitation: January 4.46 inches; June 4.06 inches
- Based on 2002 census