Coldwell Banker Triad, REALTORS - Durham County and Person County NC History and lifestyle

Durham County

History

Brightleaf square

Durham is a compact, single-city county of 258,000 residents in a land area of 299 square miles. Named for Dr. Bartlett Durham, the city originated in 1853 as a railroad depot. Durham was incorporated in 1869 and soon became known for its tobacco and textiles. The tobacco manufacturing industry focused worldwide attention on the area after the Civil War. Bull Durham Tobacco and American Tobacco Trust combined to produce a majority of US cigarettes and smoking tobacco. As a result of that thriving business, Durham grew and prospered tremendously. In the 1950s, Durham took on a new venture with the development of Research Triangle Park. The region benefited significantly from this establishment, bringing several large businesses and industries to the area. A new era in economic development was ushered in and the economic base in Durham began its transformation from tobacco to technology.

Lifestyle

Individuals, couples and families who choose to Make IT Durham tell us it’s the only place to be! Their voices are heightened by the national acclaim the community has received by such distinguished publications as Money Magazine, Forbes, Fortune, and others, heralding this as one of the best places to live and work in America. Rich in its history and contemporary in its activities, not only is it a great place to live, but there are excellent jobs and career opportunities for qualified individuals. Those who call Durham home come from all over the world and all walks of life. Durham has successfully transformed itself into one of knowledge-based industries, anchored by the world-renowned Research Triangle Park, 80% of which is located in Durham County and specializes in life sciences, infomatics, technology, and financial services . Durham today is a thriving economic engine, bringing economic opportunity to its residents. This area of North Carolina, is the proud home of Research Triangle Park (RTP), Duke and NC Central universities. Durham's economy is dominated by health care, research, education and tourism.

Minutes from Durham, other suburban towns include Hillsborough and Chapel Hill. The Eno River State Park offers secluded wilderness trails with the serenity of a clear river drifting and cascading over a rocky stream bed. The Eno River is a swift, shallow stream flowing from northwest Orange County into Durham County for 33 miles where it joins the Flat River to become the Neuse and flows into Falls Lake. Its waters roll through wilderness, passing historic mill sites, river bluffs covered with flowering shrubs, and fords used by early settlers. Eno River State Park contains the beauty of more than 3900 acres of natural resources. Falls Lake State Recreation Area is just moments away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With a 12,000-acre lake and 26,000 acres of woodlands, Falls Lake State Recreation Area offers multiple choices of recreation areas. Fishing, boating and swimming are only a few of the activities awaiting you on the water. On land, you can enjoy walking, mountain biking or camping along a portion of the state's Mountains-to-Sea Trail. There are many wonderful Parks and recreation areas in Durham county.

Durham County Other Info./ Resources

Durham County Schools
Other Schools
Newspaper
Durham Arts Council
Chatham Hill Winery
Cloer family vineyards
Durham Regional Hospital
Durham Chamber
Durham visitors center

Person County

History

Hyco lake Person County has a population of about 38,000 people and land area of 392 Square miles. The County was established in 1791, when neighboring Caswell County was divided into two equal squares. It was named after Revolutionary War General Thomas Person, a trustee at the University of North Carolina who gave generously to the college. Stephen Moore, also a Revolutionary War general, had a love of the community and its picturesque setting. While commanding troops in the area, he once rode to the top of a hill to survey the beauty of the land. He proclaimed Person County a “Lost Eden” and vowed to return one day to make it his home. In 1793, he bought the property and built his home on the place he called “Mount Tirzah” (Mount Beautiful). His home remains today and is still owned by his descendants.

Roxboro is the largest town and the county seat of Person County. The community’s size provides a sense of small-town hospitality and a gentler pace that embraces progressive goals and an intense community spirit. There are nine townships, many with community centers or postal offices. The city of Roxboro was chartered January 9, 1855. J. A. Long is regarded as the founder of modern Roxboro. Investing heavily in major railroad companies, Long improved the region’s transport availability, which soon brought tobacco-processing plants and warehouses to the community.

Lifestyle

Person county offers a strategic location for business and industry, being within an hour’s drive of North Carolina's two major economic centers, the Research Triangle Park (Durham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh) and the Piedmont Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point), and a two-hour drive of Richmond, Virginia. The county has two small mountains – Mt. Tirzah and vineyard Hagar’s Mountain. While much of the Piedmont region is filled with narrow ridges and abrupt ditches and gullies, the structure of Roxboro and Person County is much gentler. Its watercourses have created numerous valleys with strong swells that translate into hearty-sized, flat plateaus. The main watercourses in Person County are the lakes Hyco and Mayo and the Tarand Flat rivers. Our lakes offer many boating and fishing activities as well as tournaments, and have walking/hiking trails and bird blinds for the outdoor enthusiast. Bring your own tent or RV or rent one of the many cabins and houses that are available on the lakes. An amphitheatre at Mayo lake is a major attraction for concerts and outdoor movies for everyone to come and enjoy. The area offers a variety of music venues. The Main Street Pavilion at the Merritt Commons facility in Historic Uptown Roxboro provides an amphitheatre venue for spring/summer concerts, as well as being one of the focal points during the annual PERSONALITY Festival. In addition, Willow Oak Music Park hosts nationally-known bluegrass entertainers for a four-day musical event twice a year. The Person County Museum of History with its campus of 6 buildings houses an eclectic display of Person County History. Palace Pointe Kirby Theater Complex continues to be a big draw for all families. You can see a movie (choice of 8 screens), bowl, play pool, roller skate, be amazed and entertained in the video/arcade gallery and enjoy dinner at the diner or have your own private party in one of the special party rooms. You must be sure to save time to take the wine tasting tour at Rock of Ages Winery in the Hurdle Mills community of Person County. The County is filled with opportunities for all ages, from an active Recreation, Arts and Parks Department to leisure-time activities at Hyco and Mayo Lake. Take in a live show at the Kirby Civic Auditorium, also known as the Kirby Theater, or participate in one of the local festivals. Whether you are 7 or 70, Person County Recreation, Arts and Parks Department has activities available for you.