Rocky Mount, Virginia

Robert Hill built a block house (fortified residence and trading post) in the 1740s, for trading with Native Americans. English settlers did not arrive until 1760. They named Rocky Mount for a steep cliff near the town. The area originally consisted of two adjacent villages, Rocky Mount and Mount Pleasant.

Washington Iron Furnace was built by James Callaway and Jeremiah Early; its site was on what is now Main Street. It was operated by Callaway's heirs and Peter Saunders until 1850, when it was damaged by a flood. Repairs and rebuilding were stopped by the breakout of Civil War.

The first court session was held at Rocky Mount in 1786 following the Revolutionary War. It was held in Callaway's home until he deeded land to the town on which to build the courthouse. The first was made of logs. Rocky Mount was assigned a post office in 1795.

The town was divided into lots in 1804. Jeremiah's son John Early represented the county (part-time) in the Virginia House of Delegates and served as sheriff. He operated a plantation nearby. The courthouse was replaced in 1831.

By 1836 the iron furnace employed 100 people. The town had about 275 residents; it had 30 houses and several businesses, including three grocery stores and a newspaper/printing office. The oldest dwelling is "Mount Pleasant", built overlooking the courthouse in 1829 for Caleb Tate (the court clerk for nearly 40 years, from 1797-1835). Its detached brick kitchen, built circa 1820, is the oldest building in town. The Rocky Mount Turnpike Company incorporated in 1846 and a bank was founded shortly afterward, but neither prospered.Rocky Mount NRIS Section 7, pp. 3-4, 54-56

During the Civil War, numerous planter families from the Tidewater region sought refuge in Rocky Mount. Many brought numerous black American slaves with them, in part trying to ensure they did not escape to Union forces. Among these were the immediate past governor, Henry A. Wise, who settled his family here from his plantation on the Elizabeth River before he started serving as a Confederate general. Jubal Anderson Early, who became a Confederate general during the war, was born on a plantation nearby. Before the war, he served one term representing Franklin County in the Virginia House of Delegates and more than a decade as Commonwealth's attorney (prosecutor). After the war, he resumed his legal practice here and in Lynchburg, Virginia. His office building in Rocky Mount was demolished in 1937.

One of the oldest buildings constructed in that era that still survives was built for Dr. Thomas Greer in 1861. Despite this, there are two older buildings constructed between 1850-1854, which are both still used as law offices to this day.

The town's clerk, Robert A. Scott, issued scrip to assist families of Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. The Confederate government requisitioned slaves from various planters in the county to work on Richmond's defenses. Rocky Mount had no battles, although Union Gen. George Stoneman and troops passed through the county in the war's final days.

In 1867, the Freedmen's Bureau under William F. DeKnight opened a Sunday school in Rocky Mount; about a third of the residents were black American freedmen. No day school was established for freedmen's children until much later. Booker Taliaferro Washington was born enslaved in Franklin County. After the war, his mother moved with him to the free state of West Virginia for his education. He later studied at the Hampton Institute, established in eastern Virginia for the education of blacks.NRIS pp. 57-58

The area's major cash crop both before and after the Civil War was tobacco. In 1873, Rocky Mount incorporated as a town and absorbed the smaller village of Mount Pleasant, establishing its present boundaries.{{cite book |editor=Frank H. Gille |title=The Encyclopedia of Virginia 1999; Volume One |publisher=Somerset Publishers |pages=329 |isbn=0-403-09753-3}} Former court clerk Robert Scott was elected as the first mayor.

Rocky Mount's population was about 400 people in 1870, 600 in 1897, and about 1100 in 1920. In 1880, the Franklin and Pittsylvania Railroad connected Rocky Mount to Danville and Lynchburg via Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Most of the buildings in town burned in a destructive fire in 1889.

Another railroad was constructed through town about 1892, and stimulated industrial and commercial development. The railroad (known as the Norfolk and Western Railway) was nicknamed the "Pumpkin Vine" because of its route between Roanoke, Virginia and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Canadawas y Mills (a gristmill and box factory) was built in 1898.

Nathanial V. Angle, a former schoolteacher who became an entrepreneur, built the Bald Knob furniture factory in 1903. (It became the Lane Furniture Company in 1957 and is known as the MW Manufacturing Company in the 21st century). By World War I, N.V. Angle owned a furniture and grocery stores, a lumberyard, tobacco house, agricultural implement store, and the area's first Ford automobile dealership.

Much of the town's historic architecture, both residential and commercial, dates from the first decades of the 20th century. Only the Lodge Rooms (Colored), built in 1900, remains of the former thriving black American community on West Court Street. The furniture and textile workers needed housing, and contractors also built more elaborate (including Victorian-style) dwellings for managers and professionals. Rocky Mount is roughly halfway between Roanoke and Martinsville, Virginia, which likewise developed furniture manufacturing and textile industries early in the 20th century.

The present Franklin County courthouse was constructed in 1909 (two years after the Norfolk and Western freight and passenger station). It was modeled on the Roanoke County courthouse in Salem, Virginia.

The town's growth was reflected in construction of new churches. Trinity Episcopal Church and its Rectory were both built in 1874 and survived the 1889 fire. The church was moved back from Main Street in 1906. The African Methodist Episcopal Church, built before the fire, no longer exists. The Presbyterian Church (built by 1880) reopened shortly after the fire. The Methodists rebuilt their church of brick; they replace Scott Memorial Church again in 1925. The Baptist Church (colored) built in 1907 was later deconsecrated and became a business. The Bethel AME church, built before World War I, continues to be in active use.

A Coca-Cola bottling plant opened in town circa 1920. The area's oldest car dealership (Chevrolet) dates from 1926 (although housed in a building from 1916). Ryland Goode also established a car dealership for Dodges and Hudsons that year. The building for the International Harvester dealership dates from 1946; the John Deere dealership (built 1940) has been adapted for use as the county's Developmental Center. New industries continued to be established before World War II. Around 1940 Sealtest established a dairy bottling plant and Exchange Milling opened an animal feed processing plant.NRIS section 7 pp. 9-14, 18, 23, 33, 37-39, 51, 59-60

The Art Deco-style People's National Bank was built in 1928.

Public schools were segregated, and those for black students were underfunded. In 1915, Rocky Mount appropriated $2,200 to build an eight-room brick school for white students, complete with central heating and indoor plumbing. The same year black residents built Rocky Mount Colored School and dormitory, at their own expense, on Bald Knob outside the town limits. The town became a school district and in 1924 built a high school for white students. By 1940 the town's white students had 16 teachers.

Only seven black American teachers "struggled with the problems of their race in their own schools."NRIS p. 62, quoting WPA writer Essie Smith Around that time, a foundation was established to mark Booker T. Washington's birthplace. In 1952 it donated 6 acres of land on which to build a modern, four-room school for black students. That opened shortly before the start of Massive Resistance to school desegregation in Virginia. It was operated until 1966, when the U.S. Supreme Court found subsidies for segregated schools (much used by the county's white schoolchildren) to be unconstitutional. This structure has been adapted for use as an administrative building of the National Park Service.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/bowa/hrs.pdf|title=Booker T. Washington Memorial NRIS, at p. ix, available at www.nps.gov}}

Rocky Mount's brick Municipal Building was built in 1929. The Works Progress Administration of the President Franklin D. Roosevelt administration built the United States Post Office in 1936, during the Great Depression. The county jail was built in the Art Moderne style in 1938, also a depression project.

Investment in infrastructure was increased by the federal government. The town applied for funds to upgrade its sewer system. The New Deal project with most effects may have been work on U.S. Route 220 and state route 40 near the town. The WPA and prominent local businessman N. V. Angle drained a swamp and developed the land for Mary Elizabeth Park, named for Angle's wife. It is now maintained by the local Presbyterian church (although Angle was a Methodist).

Before World War II, Rocky Mount's industries included a silk mill and a door and sash window factory, in addition to Angle's furniture company.

The library, constructed in 1940, was one of ten funded by an anonymous donor in rural Virginia counties in that era. It now serves as an administration building. The county's administration building, built in 1967, is along the same street and is named for Virgil Goode Sr., former Virginia House delegate and Commonwealth's attorney. In 1990, local residents saved the former Norfolk and Western station. It has been redeveloped as a tourist information center.Rocky Mount NRIS section 7 pp. 16-17, 28-32, 49, 52, 61-62

The Booker T. Washington National Monument, Evergreen-Callaway-Deyerle House, The Farm, Greer House, Rocky Mount Historic District, Washington Iron Furnace, and Woods-Meade House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.{{NRISref|version=2010a}}

Rocky Mount is located at the center of Franklin County at {{coord|36|59|59|N|79|53|23|W|region:US-VA_type:city}} (36.999855, −79.889673).{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}} U.S. Route 220 passes through the east side of town as a limited-access bypass, leading north {{convert|23|mi}} to Roanoke and south {{convert|26|mi}} to Martinsville. Virginia State Route 40 passes through the center of Rocky Mount as Pell Avenue and Franklin Street, leading east {{convert|32|mi}} to Gretna and southwest {{convert|10|mi|0}} to Ferrum.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of {{convert|17.8|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|0.07|sqkm|order=flip|2}}, or 0.39%, is water.{{Cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US5168496| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Rocky Mount town, Virginia| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=October 20, 2016}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The Pigg River, an east-flowing tributary of the Roanoke River, forms the southern border of the town. The {{convert|1934|ft|adj=on}} summit of Grassy Hill is in the northern part of town.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Rocky Mount has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.{{Cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=833744&cityname=Rocky+Mount,+Virginia,+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Rocky Mount, Virginia Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase}}

{{Weather box

|location = Rocky Mount, Virginia (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1894–present)

|single line = Y

|Jan record high F = 80

|Feb record high F = 81

|Mar record high F = 92

|Apr record high F = 96

|May record high F = 101

|Jun record high F = 103

|Jul record high F = 103

|Aug record high F = 101

|Sep record high F = 100

|Oct record high F = 98

|Nov record high F = 95

|Dec record high F = 82

|year record high F = 103

|Jan high F = 47.0

|Feb high F = 50.8

|Mar high F = 58.8

|Apr high F = 69.6

|May high F = 76.2

|Jun high F = 83.2

|Jul high F = 86.6

|Aug high F = 85.2

|Sep high F = 78.6

|Oct high F = 69.7

|Nov high F = 59.1

|Dec high F = 50.0

|year high F = 67.9

|Jan mean F = 36.7

|Feb mean F = 39.0

|Mar mean F = 46.2

|Apr mean F = 55.6

|May mean F = 63.9

|Jun mean F = 71.8

|Jul mean F = 75.7

|Aug mean F = 74.1

|Sep mean F = 67.3

|Oct mean F = 56.7

|Nov mean F = 46.3

|Dec mean F = 39.5

|year mean F = 56.1

|Jan low F = 26.4

|Feb low F = 27.2

|Mar low F = 33.6

|Apr low F = 41.7

|May low F = 51.6

|Jun low F = 60.3

|Jul low F = 64.8

|Aug low F = 63.0

|Sep low F = 56.0

|Oct low F = 43.8

|Nov low F = 33.5

|Dec low F = 29.0

|year low F = 44.2

|Jan record low F = −11

|Feb record low F = −5

|Mar record low F = 0

|Apr record low F = 12

|May record low F = 18

|Jun record low F = 27

|Jul record low F = 44

|Aug record low F = 36

|Sep record low F = 30

|Oct record low F = 15

|Nov record low F = 7

|Dec record low F = −4

|year record low F = -11

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 3.88

|Feb precipitation inch = 3.11

|Mar precipitation inch = 3.99

|Apr precipitation inch = 4.07

|May precipitation inch = 4.49

|Jun precipitation inch = 4.86

|Jul precipitation inch = 4.49

|Aug precipitation inch = 4.10

|Sep precipitation inch = 5.00

|Oct precipitation inch = 3.40

|Nov precipitation inch = 3.66

|Dec precipitation inch = 4.13

|year precipitation inch = 49.18

|Jan snow inch = 3.6

|Feb snow inch = 4.9

|Mar snow inch = 2.5

|Apr snow inch = 0.2

|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 = 1.4

|year snow inch = 12.6

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 9.9

|Feb precipitation days = 8.9

|Mar precipitation days = 10.3

|Apr precipitation days = 11.0

|May precipitation days = 12.3

|Jun precipitation days = 11.0

|Jul precipitation days = 13.1

|Aug precipitation days = 11.6

|Sep precipitation days = 10.3

|Oct precipitation days = 8.7

|Nov precipitation days = 8.8

|Dec precipitation days = 9.9

|year precipitation days = 125.8

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 2.0

|Feb snow days = 1.4

|Mar snow days = 0.9

|Apr snow days = 0.1

|May snow days = 0.0

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.0

|Nov snow days = 0.0

|Dec snow days = 1.1

|year snow days = 5.5

| source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=rnk

| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = July 1, 2021}}

{{cite web

| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00447338&format=pdf

| title = Station: Rocky MT, VA

| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = July 1, 2021}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1880= 315

|1890= 628

|1900= 612

|1910= 967

|1920= 1076

|1930= 1339

|1940= 1366

|1950= 1432

|1960= 1412

|1970= 4002

|1980= 4198

|1990= 4098

|2000= 4066

|2010= 4799

|2020= 4903

|estyear=

|estimate=

|estref=

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}

}}

File:Rocky Mount Virginia state historical marker.JPG

{{Update|section|date=November 2020}}

As of the census of 2020, there were 4,903 people and 2,063 households residing in the town. There were 2,307 housing units. The racial makeup of the town was 72.4% White, 20.3% Black, 0.2% American Indian, 1.4% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 2.0% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.6% of the population.

The median income for a household in the town was $46,021 and the median income for a family was $56,250.

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}} of 2000, there were 4,066 people, 1,698 households, and 1,018 families residing in the town. The population density was 886.5 people per square mile (342.0/km²). There were 1,796 housing units at an average density of 391.6 per square mile (151.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 74.50% White, 22.26% African American, 0.27% Native American, 1.11% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.67% of the population.

There were 1,698 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 36.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.4% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 23.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $26,927, and the median income for a family was $38,688. Males had a median income of $30,947 versus $22,472 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,207. About 16.6% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 14.0% of those age 65 or over.

• Joey Arrington, racing driver
• Jane Derby, fashion designer, was born here
• Jubal A. Early, Confederate general, had his law office here for several years and lived here
• Ron Hodges, former New York Mets catcher, was born and grew up in Rocky Mount
• Jesse L. Martin, actor, was born and grew up here
• Virgil Goode, politician, grew up here
• Satch Worley, racing driver

• {{cite book

|author=Fussell, Fred C.

|id=080785459X

|publisher=North Carolina Folklife Institute

|title=Blue Ridge Music Trails: Finding a Place in the Circle

|year=2003}}

• {{cite book

|author=Watman, Max

|isbn=978-1-4165-7178-0

|publisher=Simon & Schuster

|title=Chasing the White Dog: An Amateur Outlaw's Adventures in Moonshine

|year=2010

|url-access=registration

|url=https://archive.org/details/chasingwhitedoga00watm

}}

• Greer, T. Keister. The Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935, History House Press, 2003
• Bondurant, Matt. The Wettest County in the World (2008)

{{Reflist}}

• {{Commons category-inline}}
• {{Official website|http://www.rockymountva.org/ }}

{{Franklin County, Virginia}}

{{Virginia towns}}

{{Virginia}}

{{Virginia county seats and independent cities}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Towns in Franklin County, Virginia

Category:County seats in Virginia

Category:Populated places established in 1760

Category:Towns in Virginia