History Knightdale, North Carolina

1 history

1.1 history
1.2 19th century
1.3 20th century

history

early history

in 1700, lords proprietor of carolina colony hired john lawson explore area. began 1,000-mile (1,600 km) trek near present-day charleston, south carolina, , according diary, passed through area sometime in february 1701. wrote meeting tuscarora native american tribe on banks of neuse river, , of interpreter, lawson made peace tuscarora.

after receiving report lawson, king of england began apportion these lands willing settlers. in 1730, john hinton settled in 1 day called knightdale in area near neuse river, not far hodge road , old faison road intersect.

as more settlers arrived, colonial government appointed hinton justice of peace craven county. eventually, johnston county carved out of craven county in 1750s , wake county carved out of johnston county in 1771.

when american revolution began, hinton switched allegiance colonials. became military leader , played key role in first battle of american revolution fought on north carolina soil, battle of moore s creek bridge. hinton owned 7 plantations in knightdale area, of 3 still intact: oaks, midway, , beaver dam.

19th century

after independence, population of area began increase, farmers growing products such tobacco , cotton. although slavery not prominent in knightdale locations in deep south, still visible in area. there unmarked grave plots slaves throughout knightdale. although documentation of grave sites has been lost, burials remain significant part of local landscape.

during civil war, confederate , union armies present in area. clay hill , midway plantations saw greatest damage, , after war had ended, residents began rebuild. during time, nearby raleigh experienced population boom. result, local leaders redrew map of wake county , divided townships. area became knightdale located in st. matthew s township, still today.

for many years knightdale area crossroads served post office. end of 19th century, locals decided there need establish town. henry haywood knight donated of land holdings in area norfolk , southern railroad company in order entice company build railroad provide freight , passenger service. although knight did not live see railroad arrive in knightdale, not long after death in 1904, railroad came community bear name.

20th century

after railroad , depot built, area began develop quickly. norfolk , southern moved families community take care of railroad, , many of older homes exist today in knightdale built use of railroad workers , families. first railroad stationmaster s house can still seen along tracks on railroad street.

as community continued grow, knightdale received articles of official incorporation north carolina legislature on march 9, 1927, first mayor being bennett l. wall.

on february 7, 1940, fire broke out in center of town. townspeople turned out extinguish fire, fire not brought under control until firefighters arrived raleigh adequate water supply. several businesses , homes destroyed , townspeople rebuilt historic downtown area.

home depot hardware store on 64 in knightdale

after world war ii, population of knightdale grew @ steady pace, baby boom. corner drugstore, bank, , barber shop located on first avenue served places of business, places social gatherings. movies shown on wall of old bank building, located @ intersection of first avenue , main street. in 1952 municipal water system installed.

beginning in 1960s majority of new businesses in knightdale began locating along 64. addition of mingo creek sewer outfall in late 1980s, development on south side of 64 began. subdivisions such parkside, planter s walk , mingo creek subdivisions built, rapidly increasing town s population. between 1990 , 2000 knightdale s population increased 1,700 more 6,000 residents, making seventh fastest-growing town in north carolina.

frankie muniz, popular television , film actor, grew in knightdale. started acting career performing role of tiny tim in christmas carol 3 years. nominations performances include hollywood reporter young star award , young artist of hollywood award. resides in scottsdale, arizona.

beaver dam, henry h. , bettie s. knight farm, , midway plantation house , outbuildings listed on national register of historic places.