Town of the Week

Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
June 10, 2000

Head over to Rocky Mount, North Carolina.; just listen in.

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It's been nearly 40 years since the first Hardee’s restaurant opened for business in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. And the world headquarters is still there.

Aboriginal hunters first discovered the rocky mound which gives our town its name. These hunters migrated to the great falls of the Tar River. By the mid 1700s a little settlement formed which supported a local church and grist mill. Battle’s Mill became Rocky Mount Mills, the state’s second oldest cotton mill, before ceasing operations four years ago.

The mill attracted the region’s first railroad line, the Atlantic Coastline railroad. The tracks run right through the center of town, providing a dividing line between those who live in Nash County and those who live in Edgecombe County. The original station depot is being restored to include a railroad museum. The old railroad pumping station became the town’s Art Center and Playhouse Theater. However, flooding caused last year by two hurricanes dumping 33 inches of rain in a week, severely damaged all of the buildings in the Arts Center complex. In fact, nearly 300 buildings in town were flooded and decisions are being made on their fate as well.

There are over 40 parks in Rocky Mount, including the large Battle Park, which is the site of the rocky mound. With a fair and carnival in September, and Festival of the Arts on the second Saturday in October, it’s a community of 55 thousand well worth visiting. Its our town of the week, Rocky Mount, North Carolina.