Eden, North Carolina

File: Danville and Western Leaksville.jpg

By the mid-eighteenth century, the territory of present-day Eden was within a {{convert|70000|acre|km2|adj=on}} estate owned by William Byrd II, a planter of Virginia and North Carolina. He originally called his estate "The Land of Eden".{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/land-eden|title=Land of Eden|website=ncpedia.org|access-date=October 4, 2017}}

During the last years of his life, William Byrd II dreamed of bringing large numbers of Swiss Protestants to the "Land of Eden"; he eventually acquired more than {{convert|100000|acre|km2}} in Virginia. He envisioned an industrious, self-sufficient colony that would thrive on the abundance of the frontier. Byrd's dream was not to be realized. After years of negotiations, at least one boatload of Swiss did sail for "The Land of Eden" from Europe, but it was shipwrecked in a December gale off the coast of Virginia. None of the few survivors are believed to have reached Eden. Byrd died August 26, 1744. By that time, the "Land of Eden" began to be surrounded by small farms held by a wave of poor Scotch-Irish immigrants, whom Byrd had compared to the "Goths and Vandals."{{Citation needed|date=January 2013}}{{Cite news|url=https://newsoutherngentleman.wordpress.com/2013/11/30/an-architectural-history-of-home/|title=A Tale of Three Cities: An Architectural History of Home|last=Booth|first=Jim|work=Blog: New Southern Gentleman|access-date=May 14, 2017}}

"Eden" was inherited by William Byrd III, who shared none of his father's dreams of colonization. Young Byrd married Elizabeth Hill Carter in 1748. He sought to dispose of Eden to gain cash to support his grand lifestyle. He was finally successful on November 8, 1755, when he sold {{convert|26000|acre|km2}} in North Carolina to Simon and Francis Farley, two merchant brothers from the island of Antigua. By this time, yeoman settlement in the area was increasing at a considerable pace. The Farley brothers attempted to create plantations on some of the richest acres, but more frequently, settlers squatted on the land and built homesteads. In 1762 James Parke Farley, son of Francis Farley, went to Williamsburg to attend the College of William and Mary. He married Elizabeth Hill Byrd, daughter of William Byrd III and Elizabeth Hill Carter.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

Many later settlers migrating to the Dan River Area knew little of William Byrd. They were familiar with an old Indian village in the area near Town Creek and the Farley holdings. This location became the center of settlement, and the {{convert|26000|acre|km2}} came to be called the Sauratown tract. In 1775, James Parke Farley and his new bride moved from cosmopolitan Williamsburg, Virginia, to Sauratown.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

In the century that Sauratown was in existence, many families settled in the "Land of Eden", and their descendants have stayed in the area, including the Brodnax, Dillard, Ruffin, Morehead, Henry, and Winston families. Many Scots also settled in the area, including the Galloway, Scales, Watt, Lenox, Campbell, and Moir families. Other notable residents of the county include General Lighthorse Harry Lee.{{Citation needed|date=January 2013}}

Following previous unsuccessful referendums, on September 12, 1967, residents of Leaksville, Draper, Spray, and the unincorporated Meadows Greens Sanitary District voted to consolidate their communities, 2,252 to 1,753 with 60 percent of eligible voters participating. Of these, 784 elected to call the new city Eden, a term surveyor William Byrd II had used to describe the region in the 1700s. The consolidation took immediate effect, and Eden became the largest city in Rockingham County.{{cite news| title = Tri-Cities Vote Consolidation; New Municipality Is Named Eden| newspaper = The Danville Register| page = 1-B| date = September 13, 1967| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115620774/tri-cities-consolidate-and-form-eden/|issue=27548}}

• In 1970, the city had considerable growth.
• In 2000, city population grew to 15,908.
• In 2010, the US Census population was 15,527.
• In 2014, 39,000 thousand tons of coal ash and 27 million gallons of contaminated water spilled into the Dan River near Eden from a coal-fired power plant owned by Duke Energy.{{Cite web|url=https://greensboro.com/news/state/5-years-after-dan-river-coal-ash-spill-duke-energy-close-to-finishing-state-mandated/article_de8d0fa9-43e8-5b83-85d1-b253683a0548.amp.html|title=5 years after Dan River coal ash spill, Duke Energy close to finishing state-mandated cleanup at site|last=Fernandez|first=Jennifer|date=February 1, 2019|website=greensboro.com|publisher=Greensboro News & Record|access-date=October 5, 2020}}

In the late 1990s and early 2000s the local economy suffered due to the closure of several textile mills- an expected byproduct of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Fieldcrest Cannon laid off hundreds of corporate staff in the 1990s, Pluma closed its plant in 1999, and Spray Cotton Mills closed its yarn mill in 2001, and Pillowtex folded in 2003. Some former workers moved to larger cities in search of jobs.{{cite news| last = Chapman| first = Dan| title = Battered mill town braces for onslaught| newspaper = The Charlotte Observer| pages = 1D, 4D| date = December 26, 2004| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115693672/eden-textile-mill-closures/}} The decline of textiles left the Miller Brewing Company's facility the town's flagship industry, but it announced its closure in 2015. The loss of the brewery and the textile mills had a knock-off effect on local retail stores, many of which closed due to the loss of customers and competition from national chains such as Walmart.{{cite news| last = Martin| first = Edward| title = Eden's tough transition as MillerCoors departs| newspaper = Business North Carolina| date = October 4, 2017| url = https://businessnc.com/edens-tough-transition-as-millercoors-departs/| access-date = January 3, 2023}}

On the third weekend of September; Eden hosts the annual River Fest each year to celebrate Eden's history. The Boone Road Historic District, Bullard-Ray House, Cascade Plantation, Central Leaksville Historic District, Dempsey-Reynolds-Taylor House, First Baptist Church, Dr. Franklin King House-Idlewild, Leaksville Commercial Historic District, Leaksville-Spray Institute, Lower Sauratown Plantation, Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Site 31RK1, Spray Industrial Historic District, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Tanyard Shoal Sluice, Three Ledges Shoal Sluice, and Wide Mouth Shoal Sluice are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.{{NRISref|version=2010a}}

==Geography==

File:Smith River in Eden, North Carolina.jpg]]

The Smith and the Dan River have their confluence on the south side of Eden. The Dan River flows along Eden's southern border while the Smith River flows from the north bisecting the city on its route to meet the Dan River. Greensboro is {{convert|36|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} to the south,{{Cite web|url=https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-greensboro-nc-to-eden-nc|title=Distance between Greensboro NC, & Eden NC|website=distance-cities.com|access-date=June 16, 2021}} Reidsville is {{convert|15|mi|0|abbr=on}} southeast via NC 14{{Cite web|url=https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-eden-nc-to-reidsville-nc|title=Distance between Eden, NC & Reidsville, NC|website=www.distance-cities.com|access-date=June 16, 2021}} High Point is {{convert|45|mi|km}} south{{Cite web|url=https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-high-point-nc-to-eden-nc|title=Distance between High Point, NC & Eden, NC|website=www.distance-cities.com|access-date=June 16, 2021}} and Danville, Virginia is {{convert|26|mi|0|abbr=on}} northeast of the city.{{Cite web|url= https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-eden-nc-to-danville-va|title=Distance between Eden, NC & Danville, VA|website=www.distance-cities.com|access-date=June 16, 2021}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|15.2|sqmi|km2}}, of which, {{convert|15.0|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and {{convert|0.2|sqmi|km2}} of it (1.12%) is water.

{{Weather box

| single line = Y

| location = Eden, North Carolina (1991–2020)

| Jan high F =49.2

| Feb high F =52.9

| Mar high F =61.0

| Apr high F =71.2

| May high F =77.9

| Jun high F =85.2

| Jul high F =88.9

| Aug high F =86.5

| Sep high F =80.7

| Oct high F =71.5

| Nov high F =60.6

| Dec high F =51.7

| Jan mean F =38.0

| Feb mean F =40.7

| Mar mean F =47.3

| Apr mean F =57.2

| May mean F =65.5

| Jun mean F =73.3

| Jul mean F =77.3

| Aug mean F =75.7

| Sep mean F =69.1

| Oct mean F =58.5

| Nov mean F =47.2

| Dec mean F =40.4

| Jan low F =26.7

| Feb low F =28.6

| Mar low F =33.6

| Apr low F =43.2

| May low F =53.2

| Jun low F =61.3

| Jul low F =65.7

| Aug low F =64.8

| Sep low F =57.6

| Oct low F =45.5

| Nov low F =33.7

| Dec low F =29.1

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch =3.83

| Feb precipitation inch =3.09

| Mar precipitation inch =3.90

| Apr precipitation inch =3.91

| May precipitation inch =4.17

| Jun precipitation inch =4.49

| Jul precipitation inch =4.08

| Aug precipitation inch =4.42

| Sep precipitation inch =4.70

| Oct precipitation inch =3.72

| Nov precipitation inch =3.30

| Dec precipitation inch =3.50

| Jan snow inch =1.6

| Feb snow inch =1.2

| Mar snow inch =0.4

| Apr snow inch =0.0

| May snow inch =0.0

| Jun snow inch =0.0

| Jul snow inch =0.0

| Aug snow inch =0.0

| Sep snow inch =0.0

| Oct snow inch =0.0

| Nov snow inch =0.0

| Dec snow inch =1.3

| source = NOAA{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&station=USC00312631 |title=NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access |publisher=NOAA |access-date=2025-02-20 }}

}}

===Neighborhoods===

List of neighborhoods in Eden include{{cite web|url=https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/nc/eden|title=Eden, NC - 27288 - Real Estate Market Data|website=Neighborhood Scout|access-date=August 27, 2023}}

• Central Area/Meadow Summit
• Fairview
• Sunset Hills
• Fitzgerald/Leaksville Junction
• City Center

File:Eden Mall facade.jpg

Eden has three downtown areas, concentrated in the former towns of Leaksville, Spray, and Draper.{{cite news| last = Brown| first = Jennifer Atkins| title = Rockingham's diverse economy boosts growth| newspaper = News & Record| edition = Rockingham Now| date = May 15, 2022| url = https://greensboro.com/community/rockingham_now/rockinghams-diverse-economy-boosts-growth/article_1f6ec82a-cfb7-11ec-a0a9-63ff01b4020d.html| access-date = January 4, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/city-of-eden-in-plans-to-revitalize-downtown-area/83-313644175|title=City of Eden In Plans to Revitalize Downtown Area|date=March 30, 2015|website=WFMYnews2.com|access-date=August 27, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://myfox8.com/news/historic-hotel-in-eden-is-key-to-downtown-rebirth/|title=Historic hotel in Eden is key to downtown rebirth|last=Ewing|first=Charles|date=March 12, 2021|website=Fox8 WGHP|access-date=August 28, 2023}}

B. Frank Mebane, who had married into the prominent Morehead family, started the first of his six textile mills in the area in 1893. Marshall Field took over the company in 1912 and named it Fieldcrest. The company made textile products that included bedding: sheets and blankets. It employed more than 3000 people. After taking over Cannon Mills in 1986, the company became known as Fieldcrest Cannon; it later moved its headquarters and 110 employees to Kannapolis, North Carolina. Changes and restructuring were affecting the textile industry throughout the South, as companies moved manufacturing operations to areas with cheaper labor, including offshore.{{cite web|url=https://greensboro.com/fieldcrest-cannon-closing-eden-plant/article_5a71b3f1-9408-5b58-99af-0b179130ef24.html|title=Fieldcrest Cannon Closing Eden Plant|last=Reynolds|first=Jane|date=October 4, 1996|website=Greensboro News & Record|access-date=August 27, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/08/business/business-people-fieldcrest-cannon-picks-a-quartercentury-man.html|title=Business People; Fieldcrest Cannon Picks A Quarter-Century Man|last=Ross|first=Philip|date=December 8, 1987|website=The New York Times|access-date=August 27, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://greensboro.com/eden-loses-fieldcrest-corporate-core/article_afa6798d-ef39-5b49-907c-82ed4ba24195.html|title=Eden Loses Fieldcrest Corporate Core|last=Cochran|first=John|date=December 13, 1992|website=Greensboro News & Record|access-date=August 27, 2023}}

In 1997 Fieldcrest Cannon was sold to Pillowtex. Pillowtex closed its Eden plants in 2003, laying off the last 495 textile workers.{{cite news|url=https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/mc00350/|title=Fieldcrest Mills architectural plans 1911-1979|publisher=North Carolina State University|access-date=June 24, 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2005/10/24/tidbits1.html|title=Eden changes its tune for the better|last=Catanoso|first=Justin|work=Triad Business Journal|date=October 24, 2005|access-date=June 24, 2016}}

Miller Brewing Company ran a brewery in Eden into the early 21st century. In 2012 it still employed nearly seven hundred people, and produced nine million barrels annually.{{cite web|title=Locations|url=http://www.millercoors.com/Who-We-Are/Locations.aspx|publisher=Miller Brewing Company|access-date=September 23, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013211952/http://www.millercoors.com/Who-We-Are/Locations.aspx|archive-date=October 13, 2012}} Miller announced in 2015 that it was shutting down the brewery by September 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://myfox8.com/2015/09/14/millercoors-to-close-rockingham-county-plant/|title=MillerCoors to close Rockingham County plant|date=September 14, 2015}} In September 2020, it was announced Nestle Purina will move into the old MillerCoors facility and will open in 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://myfox8.com/news/nestle-purina-petcare-will-create-300-jobs-in-rockingham-county/|title=Nestlé Purina PetCare will create 300 jobs in Rockingham County|date=September 30, 2020|website=WGHP Fox 8|access-date=September 7, 2021}}

In February 2017, it was announced that the European-based German grocery store Lidl had broken ground on a store in Eden. It was expected to open in early 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://www.greensboro.com/townnews/commerce/german-grocer-lidl-breaks-ground-in-eden/article_aecce654-ecb5-11e6-b7e7-e39155ff5b76.html|title=German grocer Lidl breaks ground in Eden|last=Hunt|first=Gerri|date=February 8, 2017|newspaper=News&Record|access-date=February 17, 2017|via=Www.greensboro.com}} As of April, 2019, the store had not opened.[https://www.lidl.com/stores Grocery Store Locator] Lidl. Retrieved 18 April 2019.

In 1980, the Eden Mall, an approximately 400,000 square feet shopping center, was constructed. The mall began to decline in the late 1990s when its Kmart store closed. More stores began to shut down, culminating in the departures of Peebles in 2008 and Belk in 2015. The mall's physical condition deteriorated over the following years. It was sold in 2013 and subsequently leased out to local businesses.{{cite news| last = Davis| first = Jonelle| title = For some local malls, it's either reinvent or become irrevelant [sic]| newspaper = News & Record| date = October 6, 2013| url = https://www.greensboro.com/business/for-some-local-malls-it-s-either-reinvent-or-become/article_989e3674-2ebf-11e3-a369-001a4bcf6878.html| access-date = January 3, 2020}} In the late 2010s, the mall gained media attention and became an example of a "Dead mall" due to lack of stores in the mall and had no anchors left,{{citation|last = Bell| first = Dan| title = DEAD MALL SERIES: FROM THE 80s to the 70s - Galleria at Erieview OHIO Eden Mall NC|url = https://youtube.com/lGXzE-V61qw| access-date = December 20, 2023| date = September 28, 2017}} the mall closed to the public in early 2020s.

{{US Census population

| 1960 = 3382

| 1970 = 15871

| 1980 = 15672

| 1990 = 15238

| 2000 = 15908

| 2010 = 15527

| 2020 = 15421

| estyear = 2022

| estimate = 15325

| estref = {{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2022/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2022-POP-37.xlsx |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in North Carolina: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=April 19, 2024}}

| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2016}}

}}

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 15,421 people, 6,581 households, and 3,976 families residing in the city.

As of the census of 2000, there were 15,908 people, 6,644 households, and 4,371 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,060.1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people}}. There were 7,368 housing units at an average density of {{convert|491.0|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial composition of the city was: 75.43% White, 22.15% Black or African American, 2.34% Hispanic or Latino American, 0.31% Asian American, 0.21% Native American, 0.06% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, 1.03% some other race, and 0.81% two or more races.

There were 6,644 households, out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.0 males. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there were 79.4 men.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,670, and the median income for a family was $35,259. Males had a median income of $29,443 versus $21,797 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,275. About 13.9% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 16.6% of those age 65 or over.

The city has three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.

• All-America City Award - 2011

{{see also|list of hospitals in North Carolina}}

• UNC Health Rockingham: is a non-profit community hospital serves the surrounding cities within the Rockingham County area and the southern area of Virginia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uncrockingham.org/about-us/|title=About us: UNC Rockingham Health Care|work=www.uncrockingham.org|access-date=July 30, 2019}}{{Cite news|title=Eden hospital changes name to UNC Health Rockingham|last=Craver|first=Richard|work=Winston-Salem Journal|date=August 5, 2022|page=A6}}
• UNC Rockingham Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center{{Cite news|url=https://www.uncrockingham.org/locations/profile/unc-rockingham-rehabilitation-and-nursing-care-center/|title=UNC Rockingham Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center – Eden, NC|work=www.uncrockingham.org|access-date=September 24, 2019}}
• UNC Rockingham Wound Healing Center{{cite web|url=https://www.uncrockingham.org/locations/profile/unc-rockingham-wound-care-center/|title=UNC Rockingham Wound Healing Center – Eden, NC|website=uncrockingham.org|access-date=August 27, 2023}}
• Cone Health Medical Group Heartcare of Eden{{cite web|url=https://www.conehealth.com/cone-health-heartcare/locations/profile/cone-health-heartcare-at-eden/|title=Cone Health HeartCare At Eden: A Department of the Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital|website=Cone Health|access-date=August 27, 2023}}
• UNC Rockingham Outpatient Rehab{{cite web|url=https://www.uncrockingham.org/locations/profile/unc-rockingham-outpatient-rehabilitation/|title=UNC Rockingham Outpatient Rehabilitation Therapy, A Service of UNC Rockingham Hospital|website=uncrockingham.org|access-date=October 16, 2023}}
• Piedmont Surgical Associates
• UNC Family Medicine at Eden
• Royalty Health and Wellness Resources
• Genesis Medical

The City of Eden operates under an Council/Manager form type of government. Elected officials include the mayor, elected at-large, and seven council members.{{Cite web|url=http://www.edennc.us/citygovernment.cfm|title=City Government|website=Www.edennc.us|access-date=November 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731202518/http://www.edennc.us/citygovernment.cfm|archive-date=July 31, 2016|url-status=dead}} The Mayor and City Council serve for a term of Four years. The Mayor is the presiding officer and does not vote if the vote is tied. The Eden City Council meets on the third Tuesday of every month.{{Cite web |title=City Council {{!}} City of Eden, NC |url=https://www.edennc.us/government/city-council |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=www.edennc.us |language=en}}

On November 12, 2017, Neville Hall took the office of mayor.{{Cite web|url=https://greensboro.com/rockingham_now/news/eden-elects-new-mayor-incumbents-return-to-council/article_e5f9ca4e-c4c7-11e7-ae84-ffef14a4d87d.html|title=Eden elects new mayor, incumbents return to council|last=Melrose|first=Justyn|date=November 12, 2017|website=greensboro.com|publisher=Greensboro News & Record|access-date=November 14, 2020}}

Current council members

• Neville Hall, mayor
• Jason Wood, council member
• Bruce Nooe, council member
• Kenny Kirkman, council member
• Jerry Epps, council member
• Tommy Underwood, council member
• Greg Light, council member
• Gerald Ellis, council member
• Jon Mendenhall, city manager

For the 119th United States Congress, North Carolina's 5th congressional district is represented by Virginia Foxx (R). Eden is also represented by one member in the North Carolina House of Representatives, Reece Pyrtle (R-65th), and one member in the North Carolina Senate, Phil Berger (R-26th).{{cite web|url=https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/CountyRepresentation/Rockingham|title=Rockingham County Representation|website=North Carolina General Assembly|access-date=October 16, 2023}}

==Sports==

The Leaksville-Draper-Spray Triplets was a former Minor League Baseball team combined from three separate towns in North Carolina. The team played from 1934 through 1942 in the Bi-State League, winning the championship titles in 1935 and 1942 seasons. It was the Affiliate team for various current and former Major League Baseball teams such as, the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Guardians, and Brooklyn Dodgers.{{cite web|url=https://www.fayobserver.com/story/sports/columns/called-third-strike/2019/02/01/woodpeckers-63-days-and-counting-carolina-league-history/6135085007/|title=Woodpeckers: 63 days and counting – Carolina League history|date=February 1, 2019|website=The Fayetteville Observer|access-date=August 28, 2023}}

===Parks and recreation===

The city contains the following parks:{{Cite web|url= https://www.edennc.us/departments/parks-recreation|title=Parks & Recreation|website=edennc.us|access-date=August 7, 2022}}

• Bridge Street Center
• Freedom Ball Field Complex
• Freedom Park
• John E. Grogan Park
• Mill Avenue Recreation Center
• Mill Avenue swimming pool
• Morgan Road Community Center
• Peter Hill Park
• Washington Street Park
• Spray (Dehart) Community Center
• Smith River Greenway
• Skate Park

Eden is provided service by Piedmont Triad International Airport located in nearby Greensboro, North Carolina and Shiloh Airport located in Stoneville, North Carolina.{{Cite news|url=https://flyfrompti.com/about-pti/|title=About PTI|website=flyfrompti.com|access-date=August 7, 2022}} Highways serving Eden include US 311, NC 14, NC 87, NC 135, NC 700, and NC 770. The nearest Interstates to Eden are I-73, I-40, I-85, from closest to furthest. Closest major highway to the city is US 220 / Future I-73, which intersects NC 770 in Stoneville, and NC 135 in Madison.

Each year in September Eden host its annual Fall Riverfest, which celebrates the city's art, history, and river heritage.{{Cite news|url=http://www.edennc.us/360/pottery-festival|title=Pottery Festival|access-date=November 25, 2016|via=Www.edennc.us}} It is located in the "old" Leaksville shopping district on Washington Street, the oldest downtown street since 1917.{{Cite news|url=http://www.edennc.us/362/Riverfest|title=Riverfest|access-date=November 26, 2016|via=Www.edennc.us}} Others include: Charlie Poole Music festival, which features music legends such as, Mike Seeger and the Osbourne brothers.{{Cite news|url=http://www.edennc.us/354/Charlie-Poole-Music-Festival|title=Chalie Poole Music Festival|access-date=November 26, 2016|via=Www.edennc.us|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126130455/http://www.edennc.us/354/Charlie-Poole-Music-Festival|archive-date=November 26, 2016|url-status=dead}} The Eden chamber of commerce created the Eden Business Expo, as a venue for local businesses to present career opportunities, products, and services.{{Cite news|url=http://www.edennc.us/355/Eden-Business-Expo|title=Eden Business Expo|access-date=November 25, 2016|via=Www.edennc.us}}

===Eden Museum===

On September 19, 2009, the museum was officially opened.{{cite web|url=https://newsadvance.com/archives/eden-museum-gears-up-for-grand-opening/article_dfe17f24-d4af-59c4-a825-74ead72d3d57.html|title=Eden Museum gears up for grand opening|last=Payne|first=Latala|date=September 13, 2009|website=newsadvance.com|access-date=October 15, 2023}} In 2010, the exhibits were completed. The museum is an initiative of the Eden Preservation Society. The museum reflects on the city's history from the consolidation of Leaksville, Spray, and Draper, Triassic period, Saura Indians, William Byrd, Civil War, World Wars, the Korean War and much more.{{cite web|url=https://greensboro.com/news/telling-the-story-of-eden/article_b25fb64a-dde1-50b9-b761-4be36275147d.html|title=Telling the Story of Eden|last=Fernandez|first=Jennifer|date=August 19, 2009|website=Greensboro News & Record|access-date=October 15, 2023}}

===Smith River Greenway===

The Smith River Greenway is a walking trail consisted with the Smith River that is 1.5 miles long extending along the Eden Family YMCA located on Kennedy street and Island ford landing filled with plenty of interesting plants and wildlife found in the trail. From a circumference view the Greenway can cross the smith river on meadow road. Local parking, picnic shelters, and restroom facilities are offered at the trailhead for visiting tourist. The city's next plan for the Greenway is to extend the trail towards the Spray dam.

Eden was featured in "The Amelia Earhart Story", the season 5 episode of the Netflix animated series BoJack Horseman. One of the show's characters, Princess Carolyn, is from Eden and returns to her hometown in seeking an adoption from a local girl.{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/cinesuffragette/princess-carolyn-a-deconstructed-mary-sue-ef061af852fc|title=Princess Carolyn, a Deconstructed Mary Sue|last=Marshall-Harris|first=Sharonda|date=April 30, 2020|website=medium.com|access-date=October 15, 2023}}

Rockingham County Schools serves the City of Eden. The Rockingham County School System was established in 1993.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rock.k12.nc.us/|title=Rockingham County Schools Homepage|website=rock.k12.nc.us|access-date=August 27, 2023}}

===Elementary schools===

• Central Elementary School{{Cite news|url=http://www.rock.k12.nc.us/domain/197|title=Central Elementary|access-date=January 13, 2017|via=Www.rock.k12.nc.us}}
• Douglas Elementary School{{Cite news|url=http://www.rock.k12.nc.us/domain/295|title=Douglass Elementary|access-date=January 17, 2017|via=Www.rock.k12.nc.us}}
• Draper Elementary School (closed 2019–2020){{Cite news|url=http://www.rock.k12.nc.us/domain/354|title=Draper Elementary|access-date=January 13, 2017|via=Www.rock.k12.nc.us}}
• Leaksville-Spray Elementary{{Cite news|url=http://www.rock.k12.nc.us/lse|title=Leaksville Spray Elementary|access-date=January 13, 2017|via=Www.rock.k12.nc.us}}

===Middle and high schools===

• James E. Holmes Middle School{{Cite web|url=https://www.holmesmiddleschool.org/our-school|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811061130/https://www.holmesmiddleschool.org/our-school|url-status=usurped|archive-date=August 11, 2020|title=About Holmes Middle|website=Holmesmiddleschool.org|access-date=September 12, 2021}}
• John Motley Morehead High School{{Cite web|url=https://www.moreheadhigh.org/our-school|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025154922/https://www.moreheadhigh.org/our-school|url-status=usurped|archive-date=October 25, 2020|title=Our School – Morehead High School|website=Moreheadhigh.org|access-date=September 12, 2021}}

===Colleges and universities===

• Rockingham Community College – Wentworth, NC{{cite web|url=https://www.rockinghamcc.edu/about/our-history/|title=RCC History|website=rockinghamcc.edu|access-date=May 4, 2024}}

• WLOE at 1490 on the AM dial signed-on in 1946. The call letters stand for "Wonderful Land of Eden." The station is also heard at 92.5 FM.
• WCLW at 1130 broadcasting a Southern gospel format, licensed to Eden.
• WPTI at 94.5 commercial FM talk and sports radio station serving the entire Piedmont Triad, also licensed to Eden.

• Greensboro News & Record
• Eden's Own Journal{{Cite web|url=https://www.edensown.com/what-we-do|title=What We Do – Edens Own Journal|website=edensown.com|access-date=August 4, 2022}}

• WFMY-TV, 2 CBS, Greensboro{{Cite web|url=https://www.wfmynews2.com/|title=WFMY News 2 Homepage|website=WFMY News 2|access-date=August 4, 2022}}
• WGHP, 8 Fox, High Point{{cite web|url=https://myfox8.com/|title=Fox8 WGHP|website=WGHP Fox 8|access-date=August 27, 2023}}
• WXII-TV, 12 NBC, Winston-Salem{{cite web|url=https://www.wxii12.com/|title=The Official website of WXII 12 News|website=wxii12.com|access-date=August 27, 2023}}
• WGPX, 16, Ion, Burlington
• WGSR-LD, 19 Independent, Reidsville
• WCWG, 20, The CW, Lexington
• WXLV-TV, 45, ABC, Winston-Salem
• WMYV-TV, 48, MyNetworkTV, Greensboro

• Clint Barrow, {{Abbr|aka|also known as}} Andre Chase, professional wrestler for WWE{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/andre-chase|title=Andre Chase Biography|website=WWE|access-date=May 4, 2024}}
• Houston Barrow, {{Abbr|aka|also known as}} Lance Bravado, professional wrestler for Ring of Honor wrestling{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/lancelot-bravado-5609.html|title=Lancelot Bravado: Profile & Match Listing - Internet Wrestling Database (IWD)|website=www.profightdb.com|access-date=8 April 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.greensboro.com/townnews/politics/here-s-a-look-at-all-the-candidates-running-for/article_9670d347-d186-5af5-b582-efe99adc0d70.html|title=Here's a look at all the candidates running for local, state and federal offices|first=Margaret Moffett|last=margaret.moffett@greensboro.com|website=greensboro.com|access-date=8 April 2018}}
• Tabitha Brown, actress and internet celebrity{{Cite web|url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2020/05/24/tik-tok-sensation-remembers-her-triad-roots|title=Tik Tok Sensation Tabitha Brown Remembers her Triad Roots|date=May 24, 2020|publisher=Spectrum News|access-date=August 7, 2020}}
• Bill Butler, NFL player
• Herb Clarke, former weatherman and television journalist for WCAU{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/former-nbc-10-weatherman-herb-clarke-dies/1955763/|title=Former NBC 10 Weatherman Herb Clarke Dies|last=Johnson|first=Danielle|date=January 8, 2012|website=nbcphiladelphia.com|publisher=NBC 10 Philadelphia|access-date=January 10, 2021}}
• Ben Cook, actor, appeared on NBC's 30 Rock, and HBO's Veep{{cite web|url=https://greensboro.com/community/rockingham_now/eden-native-a-part-of-academy-award-nominated-movie-west-side-story/article_6d99c0f6-9dc4-11ec-8d80-179b0e80b537.html|title=Eden native part of Academy Award-nominated movie West Side Story|last=Brown Atkins|first=Jennifer|date=March 13, 2022|website=Greensboro News & Record|access-date=August 27, 2023}}
• Norwood Creek, film and television producer, director and editor
• Antico Dalton, retired NFL and Canadian Football League player, World Bowl and Grey Cup Champion{{Cite web|url=https://greensboro.com/news/ann-fish-morehead-and-nfl-alum-recall-panther-stadium-was-electric/article_96853c58-ff94-52a9-ae56-a92df3cc955b.html|title=Ann Fish: Morehead and NFL alum recall 'Panther stadium was electric'|last=Fish|first=Ann|date=April 24, 2016|website=greensboro.com|publisher=Greensboro News & Record|access-date=April 26, 2016}}
• William Gordon, former bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska
• R.S. Gwynn, poet
• Carol M. Highsmith, Visual Documentarian of America for the Library of Congress{{cite web|url=https://greensboro.com/life/photographer-carol-highsmiths-work-for-library-of-congress-is-her-calling/article_a2f5ef78-eaec-5249-8df7-d439f0012d4a.html|title=Photographer Carol Highsmith's work for Library of Congress is her calling|last=Kane|first=Dawn|date=August 5, 2017|website=Greensboro News & Record|access-date=August 30, 2023}}
• Jennifer King, first full-time black female coach in NFL history{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/11/05/jennifer-king-washington-football-team-coach-100-influential-black-women|title=A King Among Kings|last=Brooks|first=Senita|date=November 5, 2021|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=October 15, 2023}}
• Machinedrum, electronic musician and record producer
• Charlie Poole, old-time and bluegrass musician{{cite web|url=https://northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/charlie-poole-1892-1931/|title=Charlie Poole (1892-1931)|website=North Carolina History Project|access-date=October 16, 2023}}
• Takayo Siddle, college basketball coach[https://uncwsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/takayo-siddle/43 Takayo Siddle - Men's Basketball Coach - UNC Wilmington]. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
• Edwin Wilson, professor at Wake Forest University{{Cite web|url=https://zsr.wfu.edu/special/research/guides/ed-wilson/|title=Dr. Ed Wilson, "Mr. Wake Forest"|website=zsr.wfu.edu|date=October 16, 2015 |publisher=Wake Forest University|access-date=April 8, 2017}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{official website|http://www.edennc.us}}
• [http://www.leaksville.com/ Welcome to Leaksville, North Carolina]
• [http://www.edenchamber.com Eden chamber of commerce]
• [http://www.exploreedennc.com Explore Eden, NC]

{{Rockingham County, North Carolina}}

{{Piedmont Triad}}

{{North Carolina}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Cities in North Carolina

Category:Cities in Rockingham County, North Carolina

Category:Populated places established in 1755

Category:1755 establishments in the Thirteen Colonies