Historic Halifax, NC

Let me take you back to a place I loved

  I guess it was around 2002 and I was on a long weekend visiting a friend and enjoying the scenery of north Georgia. We came to this bridge and it was the site of Tallulah Gorge. Don't know when I have ever been so amazed as I was that day. I walked onto the bridge which was an automobile bridge and part of the local highway not a pedestrian bridge. I walked over to the right side and noticed a spillway for this dam that was beautiful as I looked across the water.

  So far nothing out of the ordinary for this small town guy from up north.  I then walked over to the left side of the bridge and to my amazement it looked like somewhere between 100 to 200 feet straight down to the rocks and water below. 

  My friend told me that this was also a place that some people chose to commit suicide by jumping off the bridge. The area is very rough and to get to the person on foot would take days so the local emergency department would repel off the bridge to the bottom of the gorge to retrieve the unlucky jumpers.

  This is a view across the dam area

Looking down from the bridge.  

Looking straight down where jumpers would land.

It is a beautiful area but you have to respect the wilderness or it will ruin your day.

  I said all of the above to lead you into "the rest of the story". For years now I have been driving north and south on NC Highway 301 which parallels Interstate 95. 301 goes through a number of towns including Halifax.  On the south side of town there is a bridge that you cross that has always made me wonder what was under that bridge because all can see from the car is trees and the thought of depth. 

  Being retired and having the time to explore I stopped near the bridge today and walked to the center to take a look over the side. 

  This is what I saw looking down and out and it is quite a long way down. This picture was taken with no magnification. If you look near the center in the water there is a rectangular object towards the left side of the stream.

  Now with full magnification at 5X this is the object I mentioned. Get the picture? The next picture was also at full magnification just a little ways further down the stream. So my friends that is why Tallulah Gorge popped back into my mind today  seeing a smaller version a couple of miles down the road.

Tour of my area

Thought it was about time I showed you want the area is like where we live so Linda and I went out this afternoon and took some pictures. Where we live is actually a cluster of 3 towns. Halifax being the smallest, Weldon next in size and Roanoke Rapids the largest.

Very close to our property is this creek bridge. The creek is narrow but lots of people can be found there fishing.

Rocky anointing the swing set concrete on his rounds about the yard.

We are 2 miles from Interstate 95 and one of the convenience store try to be fancy with this lion out front.

OK the first town is Halifax or as they like to call it (Historic Halifax) where the Halifax Resolve, precursor to the Declaration of Independence was written. They have restored a number of homes from that era.

The old courthouse which is used primarily for voting and county offices.

On the road from Halifax to Weldon

Where the Roanoke River (Rockfish Capital of the world) come through Weldon. Many people like to put in their small boats to play with the rapids.

One guy carrying his to get above the rapids

Unique to Weldon is this underground walkway that comes out on the other side of the street. Never could see why it was necessary but unique to experience.

Downtown Weldon on a Sunday afternoon.

Coming out of Weldon heading for Roanoke Rapids largest of the 3 towns.

Entrance to one of the larger homes in Roanoke Rapids.

One of the newer developments in town

At a park off Roanoke Ave. is this statue of Samuel Patterson, not sure what he did to get this attention.

Decorative clock near the park.

In the park is this covered area where groups are scheduled to perform during the summer concert series.

Covered area and bleacher for towns people to sit.

Many homes in the Roanoke Rapids area are classified as mill house that were built to house employees for the huge textile industry that flourished many years ago. The house on the left is where Linda's daughter's first real boy friend lives. They have both moved on but I thought it was unique when Linda pointed it out who's home it was as I was just taking a random picture.

The big cemetary in Roanoke Rapids.

Some cute ducks taking a break from a decent sized pond we passed by.

Unusual looking thingy at the Dominion Power facility. One of their smaller places as they supply a large area with power.

The Roanoke Rapids Lake recreation area where lots of people go to cool off during the summer.

Playground equipment for the kids at the lake area.

Oh well, I saw this in the lake parking lot and had to take a picture of it.

Down the street in Roanoke Rapids

An old church in Roanoke Rapids with unique architecture.

Ideal Home Medical where Linda is employed.

Getting close to the end of our journey at one of our favorite places on a hot day to get a gift from God.

Of course, Mocha Frappies

The almost famous Roanoke Rapids Theater which started out as the Randy Parton Theater. A big stink happened and Randy left leaving Roanoke Rapids to figure out what to do with this 30 million dollar investment. It is still a heavy burden to the taxpayers of the city. I went there one time to see my heart throb Lori Morgan but haven't been back.

The Hilton Garden Inn was built next to the theater when thoughts were that it would bring people from states away. They are doing a pretty good business even if the theater isn't.

Hope you all have a great week filled with lots of joy, happiness and good health.