Robersonville, North Carolina

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Robersonville, incorporated in 1872, is a town located in Martin County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,731 at the 2000 census. Robersonville is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region. It is home to the East Carolina Motor Speedway.

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[edit] Geography

Location of Robersonville, North Carolina

Robersonville is located at 35°49′30″N, 77°15′10″W (35.825023, -77.252710)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.1 km² (1.2 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

According to the 2000 censusGR2, there were 1,731 people, 720 households, and 467 families residing in the town. The population density was 561.6/km² (1,448.7/mi²). There were 785 housing units at an average density of 254.7/km² (657.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 36.80% White, 61.53% African American, 0.46% Asian, 0.58% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.68% of the population.

Out of 720 households, 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.8% were married couples living together, 22.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.07.

23.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.7% were from 18 to 24, 23.4% were from 25 to 44, 24.1% were from 45 to 64, and 22.1% were 65 or older. The median age was 42. For every 100 females there were 75.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 69.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $23,384, and the median income for a family was $28,565. Males had a median income of $21,250 versus $19,375 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,431. About 26.2% of families and 30.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.2% of those under age 18 and 24.4% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

The earliest known citizens of the Robersonville area were the Tuscarora and Morotock Native Americans. However, according to various deeds, family bibles, wills and church records, settlers arrived many years before the Revolutionary War.{{{author}}}, {{{title}}}, [[{{{publisher}}}]], [[{{{date}}}]]. One of the earliest known churches of the area was Flat Swamp Primitive Baptist Church, founded in 1776. Among the early settlers of this area was the family of Henry Robason, who is said to have been born in 1710 in England. Eventually the family name became "Roberson" and the family tree grew throughout the region.

Before the Civil War, George O. Roberson and his father, William, owned a store originally located on the northwest corner of what is now known as Railroad and Roberson Streets. The local militia trained at this store during the Civil War. After returning from the war, George built a store across the street from the original one.

The first mayor was William W. Roberson, and commissioners were Henry D. Roberson, Staton Everett and Eli Askew.

Robersonville is located directly on the railroad’s route between Tarboro and Williamston. It is the first town in the county dependent on the railroad, rather than the Roanoke River, as its chief commercial and communication link with the world beyond Martin County.

Although the Seaboard and Raleigh Railway Company would not be incorporated until late 1873, town founders envisioned it as a prominent trading center and market for western Martin County. Growing slowly during its first decade, after the railroad’s completion in October 1882, the town had eleven general stores, two physicians, and a number of industries by 1884. The population was then 400 residents, with farm families and ambitious young men moving there because of its various entrepreneurial, educational, and social opportunities.

The Robersonville Primitive Baptist Church was founded in 1883. The land was given for the sole purpose of building a house of public worship and school. The original church was dismantled in 1883 and the present sanctuary completed the same year. The building was later restored by Dr. Everette James and is now home to the St. James Place Museum.

As site of the county’s first tobacco market in August 1900, Robersonville embarked on a second, more expansive era of prosperity, civic progress, and development with a population that surged up to 1200 during the early 1900s. The growth of new industries brought new residential areas which opened to provide homes for the town’s increased population - most notably "New Town" , a residential neighborhood that would become one of eastern North Carolina’s most cohesive and civic-minded early 20th century African-American communities.

The newly acquired prosperity, improved educational opportunities, and modern municipal services fostered a lively cultural and social life in town where entertaining diversions and several cultural, civic, and social groups flourished. Even during the Great Depression economic expansion slowed drastically in Robersonville, but its citizens benefited from state and federal relief programs. Inexpensive sports and popular social pastimes, such as baseball and bridge, also eased the hardships for many during those rough years.

Although the railroad has been replaced by the new US 64 Bypass as the town’s main link to the outside world, Robersonville continues to thrive providing needed services, industry and entertainment to local and out-of-town residents alike.

[edit] Nationally Registered Historic Places

  • First Christian Church (registered 4/28/2005)
  • W.J. Little House (9/19/1985)
  • Robersonville Primitive Baptist Church (4/20/2005)

[edit] Schools

  • Robersonville Graded School (1902-1923)
  • Outterbridge Grammar School (1923-1974) also known as Robersonville Elementary (whites)

East End High School (blacks)

  • Robersonville High School(1929-1975, later Robersonville Jr. High School grades 6-8 1976-2000)
  • Roanoke High School (1976-Present)
  • East End Elementary School (197? - Present) K-5
  • Roanoke Middle School (2001-Present) 6-8

[edit] Churches

Robersonville First Baptist Church
Robersonville First Baptist Church
  • Armstrong Family Prayer House
  • Awake Hour Ministry Outreach Center
  • Deliverance Church of Christ TNT Ministries, Inc.
  • El Shaddai Holy Temple
  • Robersonville First Baptist Church
  • First Christian Church, D.O.C.
  • Grace Family Fellowship
  • Providence Missionary Baptist Church
  • Roberson Missionary Baptist Church
  • Robersonville United Methodist Church
  • Universal Church

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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