Lake Country Visitor & Newcomer Guide 2009 - (Page 26) Roanoke Rapids atching all the water that runs from both Lake Gaston and Buggs Island Lake/John H. Kerr Reservoir, Roanoke Rapids provides a gateway to Halifax County, NC, combining Southern charm and rich history with natural beauty and a wealth of dining delights. Roanoke Rapids takes its name from the Roanoke River. A century ago, long before the creation of Lake Gaston, the city remained dependent on the transportation of goods from the west to seaports in the east. Here, freight had to be moved to avoid the natural rapids caused by the fall line. So boats carrying freight were routed into the Roanoke Navigation Canal, which has, in more recent times, been used to generate power for industry, includ- Lakeland Theater Company stages 12 to 14 in-house ing a textile mill and a paper mill. Now little more than a century old, this vi- shows a year. brant, young city showcases talents at a music, lodging and entertainment complex called Carolina Crossroads, located just off I-95, east of Lake C 26 The area is rich in history, scenery and community. Gaston. Past performers have included Cowboy Troy, Jason Aldean, Gretchen Wilson, Third Day, Big & Rich, Danielle Peck and Hank Williams, Jr. You can also find live music when the City of Roanoke Rapids partners with the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau to sponsor events including a Friday night summer concert series. Roanoke Rapids is one of the first cities to greet travelers as they shuttle south on I-95. It’s not only a great gateway. It’s also a great getaway. “The greatest thing about Roanoke Rapids is the sense of history that the citizens have,” says Christina Gordon, the eco-heritage tourism manager for Roanoke Rapids and Halifax County. “They’re very proud of the fact that we were a textile mill town. And I think they recognize the Roanoke River is the lifeblood of the community. And, without it, we would not have the Roanoke Canal, which was built to be used for navigation and power generation.” You can learn the history of this place at the Roanoke Canal Museum, located in the old canal powerhouse, constructed more than a century ago. Near the museum, look for a 7.5-mile nature trail following the old navigation canal bed. The Roanoke Canal Trail has recently been designated as a site on the North Carolina Coastal Plains Birding Trail. Perfectly suitable for hikers or bike riders, Gordon says, this trail is rich with native wildlife and plants. Southern Virginia ⁄ Northern North Carolina’s Lake Country
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