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Revision as of 15:42, 13 October 2010 by 155.84.57.253 (talk) (→Festivals: minor repairs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) City in North Carolina, United States| Roxboro, North Carolina | |
|---|---|
| City | |
| Motto: Roxboro Life Just Right! | |
 Location of Roxboro, North Carolina | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Person |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Tom Brown (D) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.3 sq mi (16.3 km) |
| • Land | 6.3 sq mi (16.2 km) |
| Elevation | 715 ft (218 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 8,696 |
| • Density | 1,387.2/sq mi (535.6/km) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes | 27573,27574 |
| Area code | 336 |
| FIPS code | 37-58160Template:GR |
| GNIS feature ID | 1024281Template:GR |
| Website | City of Roxboro |
Roxboro (pronounced rocs-boro) is a city and the county seat of Person County, North Carolina. As of the 2000 census the city of Roxboro has a population of 8,696.
History
Roxboro is named after a city in Scotland; Roxburgh. Although spelled differently they are pronounced the same. Prior to the official adoption of the name Roxboro, the community was known as "Mocassin Gap". The city of Roxboro was incorporated on January 9, 1855 and remains the only municipality in Person County.
Geography
Roxboro is located at 36°23′30″N 78°58′55″W / 36.39167°N 78.98194°W / 36.39167; -78.98194Invalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (36.391690, -78.981877)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16.3 km²), of which, 6.3 square miles (16.2 km²) of it is land and 0.16% is water.
Climate
Roxboro has a moderate subtropical climate, with moderate weather in the spring, fall, and winter. However, summers can be hot and humid. Winter temperatures generally range from highs in the low 50s°F (10-13 °C) to lows in the upper 20s-mid 30s°F (-2 to 2 °C), though 60 °F degree weather is not uncommon. Spring and fall days are usually in the low to mid 70s°F (low 20s°C), with nights in the 50s°F (10-14 °C). Summer days are often in the upper 80s and low 90s °F (30-35 °C,) with very high humidity. The rainiest months are July and August.
Roxboro receives an average of 8.8" of snow per winter. Freezing rain and sleet occur most winters, and occasionally the area experiences a major, damaging ice storm. Roxboro is often dubbed the "Snow Capital of the Triangle" due to TV news crews from Raleigh/Durham descending upon the city any time the weather forecast calls for frozen precipitation in north central North Carolina.
Law & Government
City Council
Thomas J. Brown, Mayor
Merilyn P. Newell, Mayor Pro-Tem
Sam Spencer, Councilman
Henry Daniel, Councilman
Sandy Stigall, Councilman
James Allen, Councilman
Crime
Current Statistics
In 2005, 0 murders or non-negligent manslaughters were reported within city limits, per the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reports.
Business
Roxboro businesses include electrical, textile, manufacturing, aerodynamics, administrative, winery, brokering, food processing, automotive, tobacco agriculture, aluminum and paper products. Roxboro is also adjacent to North Carolina's Research Triangle region, home to numerous high-tech companies and enterprises.
Largest Employers in Roxboro:
- GKN Driveline
- Eaton Corporation
- Georgia-Pacific Corporation
- Person Memorial Hospital - affiliated with Duke University Health System
Other Businesses based in or operated in Roxboro:
- Force Protection Inc
- Alsco Metals Corporation
- Louisiana-Pacific Corporation
- Flue-Cured Tobacco Cooperative
- Mark Line Industries
- North American Aerodynamics, Inc.
- Wesbell Technologies
- Spuntech
- CertainTeed- plans to build a $160 million gypsum wallboard plant creating 90 jobs. The plant is expected to be in operation in 2012. Currently under construction.
- Integro Earth Fuels - plans to build the nation’s first commercial production facility for "green coal". The plant is expected to be in production in 2010. Currently under construction.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000 there were 8,696 people, 3,666 households, and 2,243 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,387.2 people per square mile (535.5/km²). There were 3,954 housing units at an average density of 630.8/sq mi (243.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 50.08% White, 45.40% African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.59% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.78% of the population. (This reporting does not take into account the massive annual influx of Hispanic migrant labor.)
There were 3,666 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 22.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 81.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,518 and the median income for a family was $37,159. Males had a median income of $27,741 versus $23,245 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,824. About 13.4% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.
Education
See Person County, North Carolina
Culture
Museum
- Person County Museum - The museum complex includes the Kitchen House, the Male Academy/Parsonage, Woodsdale General Store, Dr. John H. Merritt's office, a tobacco barn, and the Van Hook Subscription School, which is believed to be the oldest in the state. Exhibit featuring athletic exploits of Roxboro's own Enos Slaughter to Person County's connection with the RMS Titanic in uptown Roxboro.
Entertainment
- Palace Pointe- A multi-entertainment complex featuring 8-movie screens with stadium seating, 20-bowling lanes with cosmic bowling, a roller skating rink, arcade room, diner, billiards room, private rooms for parties and meeting functions.
- Roxboro Motorsports Dragway- An IHRA sanctioned, 1/8 mile concrete dragstrip opened in 1960. Car, truck and bike festivals are the norm during the spring, summer and fall.
- Rock Sportsplex- Miniature golf, baseball and driving range complex.
Festivals
- Apple Chill - Held in late April at the Roxboro Motorsports Dragway; the main attraction features a showcase of motorcycles and cars.
- Personality - The two-day festival is held early in September and brings thousands to uptown. It includes street dancing, games, music, booths, food and rides.
- Lake Mayo Canoe/Kayak Festival - This one-day event is for paddlers and spectators alike. It is celebrated each spring on Lake Mayo.
- Willow Oak Blue Grass Festival - Held in June and September of each year, this park setting is the home of national, regional and local blue grass bands. The site includes camping, food and concessions.
Performing arts
- Kirby Civic Auditorium - Entertainment in this restored historic movie theater in uptown Roxboro features live theater, dance, and concerts. Headliners include Branford Marsalis, Doc Watson, the Embers, Mike Cross, and year-round local productions. Total seating capacity - 1028.
- Roxboro Little Theater - Producing stage entertainment for over 30 years, through the efforts of both local and regional thespians. RLT has featured such productions as "The Wizard of Oz", "Steel Magnolias", "The Sound of Music", and "Oliver".
- Merritt Commons Pavilion - Host local music acts and stage plays in uptown Roxboro.
Parks and recreation
Person County Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide variety of leisure services throughout the county providing a variety of recreational opportunities including playgrounds, walking tracks, picnic shelters, basketball courts, golf course, putt-putt, bicycling, fishing, swimming, tennis courts, ball fields, volleyball courts, hiking trails, horseshoe pits and restroom facilities at more than 14 sites, more than 6,735 acres (27 km) of park land, including:
- Huck Sansbury Recreation Complex
- Allensville Park
- Bushy Fork Park
- Hurdle Mills Park
- Optimist Park
- Longhurst Park
- Mayo Park
- Mt. Tirzah Park
- Olive Hill Park
Other attractions include:
- Rock Sportsplex - Features a 18-hole putt–putt course and lighted driving range.
- Roxboro Country Club- 18-hole golf course.
- Piedmont Community College Nature Trail - A system of seven trails with an observatory. Total distance is 12,741 feet (2.4 miles).
- Hyco Lake
- Mayo Lake
Shopping
Roxboro Commons, Roxboro Square, Person Plaza, Madison Corners, Madison Square, and many more.
Infrastructure
Transportation
Air
- Person County Airport is just 6 miles (10 km) South of Roxboro on U.S. Route 501.
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport is just 42 miles (68 km) South of Roxboro.
- Piedmont Triad International Airport is just 82 miles (132 km) SW of Roxboro.
Major highways
- United States Highways:
U.S. Route 158
U.S. Route 501 - (major north/south corridor through the city).
- North Carolina Highways:
Future East Roxboro Bypass
NCDOT approved the Eastern Roxboro Bypass - Four-lane highway from US Hwy 501 south intersection of Old Durham Road to NC Hwy. 49 north. This project has yet to get underway due to funding.
Railroad
- Norfolk Southern - Freight Rail Service
Public Transit
- Person Area Transit System (PATS) operates bus routes within Roxboro.
Utilities
The city's electric system is maintained by several companies, including Progress Energy Inc. Telephone networks - CenturyLink, wireless networks - Verizon Wireless and U.S. Cellular, broadband internet - CenturyLink, Electronic Solutions, Charter Communications, and cable television service is available from Charter Communications.
Media
Local Print Media
Newspaper and periodical that serve the Roxboro and surrounding area:
- The Courier-Times - Semiweekly community newspaper.
Local Radio
Roxboro is also the city of license for two radio stations:
Other nearby stations
- W281AE 104.1 FM (.01 kW translator of Liberty University's WRVL, Lynchburg, VA)
Local Television
Roxboro is the home of a local cable-access television station:
- WRNC-TV (10)
Notable residents
- Robert L. Blackwell, Medal of Honor recipient from World War I, solder
- George Yarborough, World War I, Battle of Belleau Wood, soldier
- Margie Bowes, American Country Music singer
- Carl Long, NASCAR driver
- Wendy Palmer, professional basketball player (WNBA)
- Enos Slaughter, aka "Country", St. Louis Cardinals baseball player
- Jim Thorpe (golfer), Champions Tour professional golfer
- Luke Torian, politician, Virginia House of Delegates 52nd District Representative
- Oscar Scott Woody, sea post clerk aboard RMS Titanic, the city's post office is dedicated in his honor.
- Robert Gray, FOX Business Network - Reporter.
References
- http://www.certainteed.com/resources/Gyp_RoxboroNC.pdf
- http://ncloggers.com/Documents/Biomass%20Articles/Biomass%20in%20NC/Integro%20EarthFuels%20Roxboro,%20NC.pdf
- Encyclopedia Titanica: Special Day For Oscar Scott Woody
External links
- Research Triangle Metropolitan Region ("The Triangle")
- Roxboro Area Chamber of Commerce
- Person County Economic Development
- Person County Schools
- The Courier-Times
- Person Memorial Hospital
- Piedmont Community College
- Business Development Center
| Municipalities and communities of Person County, North Carolina, United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| County seat: Roxboro | ||
| City |  | |
| CDP | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
