12 May 2023
posted 19 May 2023
Small town stops along the Roanoke River in North Carolina.
0753 54,691 73° Leave Sylvan Heights Bird Park, Scotland Neck, NC
0825 54,712 Halifax, NC
We followed the signs for bus/van parking in Historic Halifax. It was too early for the visitor center, but we did walk around town and found that homes have informational signs out front. Halifax was a commercial and political hub around the time of the American revolution.
Visible from our parking spot, the William R. Davie House was built in 1783.
Signage at the site shared that Davie attended the US Constitutional Convention in 1787 and supported ratification. In 1789, he introduced legislation chartering the University of North Carolina, earning him the unofficial title; “Father of the University.” He was also governor of NC and an envoy to France.
Seven other historical buildings are within walking distance.
0846 54,719 67° Weldon Mills, NC
Next door is the Weldon Mills Distillery tasting room. They participate in the Harvest Hosts program, so boondocking is an option, if you make a reservation through the site. The building was built in 1890 as part of a complex to grind corn. The actual distillery is at the other end of the park and a trolley takes customers there for tours.
The Roanoke Canal Trail starts in the park and uses a pedestrian tunnel to cross under 301. It is worth ducking into the tunnel if only to see the paintings of river fishes and turtles.
0941 54,726 Roanoke Rapids,NC
At River Road there are two trails, one high and one low. They meet up less than half a mile in, so you can take either one.
… the Roanoke River was on the other side.
The only wildlife we met was this very mellow turtle.
1043 54,728 Roanoke Canal Museum
Although the museum is only open Tue, Thur, and Saturdays, the grounds are open every day. Here we found the old locks sitting high and dry beside the museum.
A large billboard depicts travel on the canal.
If you enlarge the sign, it summarizes the history of this 8.5 mile long canal.
Canal boats were long with shallow drafts. Boat dimensions were limited by the size of the locks used to change elevation in the canal.
1054 54,730 Roanoke Dam
We were disappointed that the dam wasn’t open to the public. Judicious cropping eliminated most of the fencing and barbed wire.
From here we left the river and headed west towards home.
The Roanoke River extends 410 miles from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia to the Albemarle Sound in North Carolina. There are plenty of opportunities for future adventures!
1203 54,780 79° Henderson, NC
Senior Services Parking Lot to make lunch
1332 54,826 Home
Today’s Route