Timeline of Raleigh, North Carolina facts for kids

Raleigh, the capital city of North Carolina, has a long and interesting history. This timeline will take you on a journey through the most important events that shaped Raleigh, from its early days before it was a city to the present. You'll learn about how it became the state capital, its growth through the centuries, and some of the key moments that made it the vibrant city it is today.

Raleigh's Early Days

Before the City Was Built

Before European settlers arrived, the land where Raleigh now stands was home to Native American tribes. These included the Tuscarora and Occaneechi tribes. An explorer named John Lawson wrote about these groups in his journal. He also noted how diseases like smallpox greatly reduced the native population.

• 1587 – A group of English settlers, sponsored by Sir Walter Raleigh, landed on Roanoke Island. They tried to start a settlement called the "Cittie of Raleigh." This was about 190 miles from where modern Raleigh is today. John White, the leader, went back to England for supplies. He left behind his granddaughter, Virginia Dare, who was the first English child born in the New World.
• 1590 – John White's return was delayed by threats from the Spanish Armada. When he finally came back, the settlers were gone. The only clue was the word "CROATOAN" carved on a tree. This became known as the "Lost Colony."
• 1701 – English explorer John Lawson traveled 600 miles through the area. His journey took him close to the future site of Raleigh.
• 1770 – Joel Lane, a local landowner, helped create Wake County. This is the county where Raleigh is located.
• 1781 – The state's government, the General Assembly, met at Joel Lane's property. At that time, the small settlement was called Wake Courthouse or Bloomsbury. It had a courthouse, a jail, an inn, and a church.

Raleigh Becomes the Capital

• 1792
  • The North Carolina legislature decided to buy 1,000 acres of Joel Lane's land. They wanted to build a new city there to be the state's capital.
  • Raleigh was officially founded as the capital of North Carolina.
• 1794
  • The first State House building was constructed.
  • In December, the State General Assembly held its first meeting in the new capital.
• 1798 – The first public cemetery was created.
• 1799 – The first newspaper in Raleigh, the North-Carolina Minerva and Raleigh advertiser, started publishing.
• 1800 – Raleigh's population reached 669 people.

Raleigh in the 1800s

Growth and Changes

The 19th century brought more growth and important changes to Raleigh. New schools, banks, and churches were built.

• 1801 – The Raleigh Academy school was established.
• 1813 – The State Bank of North Carolina building was constructed.
• 1817 – The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina was formed in Raleigh.
• 1820 – The city's population grew to 2,674 people.
• 1831
  • A large fire destroyed the original capitol building in January.
  • The capitol building burned down completely in June.
• 1840
  • The Raleigh and Gaston Railroad began operating, connecting Raleigh to other areas.
  • The new North Carolina State Capitol building, which still stands today, was completed.
• 1842 – Saint Mary's School (Raleigh, North Carolina), a school for girls, was founded.
• 1853 – Christ Episcopal Church was built.
• 1857 – Peace Institute, another important school, was founded.

Civil War and Recovery

The mid-1800s saw the American Civil War, which greatly impacted Raleigh.

• 1861 – On May 20, North Carolina left the United States and joined the Confederate States of America.
• 1865
  • On April 13, Union forces took control of Raleigh.
  • Raleigh Institute, an important university, was founded.
• 1867 – St. Augustine's University (North Carolina) was founded.
• 1868 – On July 4, North Carolina was officially readmitted to the United States.
• 1875 – A school for deaf, mute, and blind students was built.
• 1880 – The News & Observer newspaper began publishing.
• 1887 – The Raleigh Water Works was built, providing water to the city.
• 1889 – The North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now North Carolina State University) opened.
• 1890 – Union Station, a major train station, was built.
• 1891
  • Baptist Female University (now Meredith College) was officially recognized.
  • Electric streetcars began operating in the city.
  • The Governor's Mansion was built.
• 1892 – Raleigh celebrated its 100th birthday.
• 1900 – Raleigh's population reached 13,643 people.

Raleigh in the 20th Century

Early 1900s to Mid-Century

The 20th century brought rapid growth and modernization to Raleigh.

• 1901 – The Raney Memorial Library opened.
• 1910 – The population grew to 19,218.
• 1912 – The City Auditorium opened, hosting many events.
• 1913 – The State Supreme Court Building was constructed.
• 1920
  • The city's area expanded.
  • The population reached 27,076.
• 1922 – WPTF radio station began broadcasting.
• 1929 – Raleigh Municipal Airport opened, connecting the city by air.
• 1932 – Raleigh Memorial Auditorium opened, a large venue for performances.
• 1936 – The Raleigh Little Theatre was established, offering local plays.
• 1943 – Raleigh–Durham Airport (RDU) opened, becoming a major regional airport.
• 1945 – The city's area was 12.5 square miles.
• 1949 – Cameron Village shopping center opened, one of the first of its kind.

Mid-Century to End of 1900s

Raleigh continued to grow, with new institutions and businesses.

• 1950
  • The Southern Railway station was built.
  • The population reached 65,679.
• 1956
  • WRAL-TV (television) began broadcasting.
  • The North Carolina Museum of Art opened, showcasing art from around the world.
• 1959 – The Research Triangle Park began developing near the city. This park became a major center for technology and research.
• 1960 – The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, an important civil rights group, was founded in Raleigh.
• 1965 – The city's area expanded to 34.1 square miles.
• 1967 – North Hills Mall opened, another popular shopping destination.
• 1970 – The population reached 122,830.
• 1972 – Crabtree Valley Mall opened, becoming a large shopping center.
• 1975 – The Raleigh Transit Authority was established to manage public transportation.
• 1977 – Isabella Cannon became Raleigh's first female mayor.
• 1980 – Artsplosure, a popular arts festival, began.
• 1986 – Raleigh established its first sister city relationship with Hull, UK.
• 1988 – A significant tornado outbreak affected Raleigh.
• 1989 – A sister city relationship was established with Compiègne, France.
• 1990 – The population reached 207,951.
• 1993 – The Raleigh City Museum opened, sharing the city's history.
• 1999 – Raleigh hosted the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
• 2000 – The population reached 276,093.

Raleigh in the 21st Century

Early 2000s

Raleigh continued its growth into the new millennium.

• 2001
  • Charles Meeker became mayor.
  • A sister city relationship was established with Rostock, Germany.
• 2002 – Triangle Town Center shopping mall opened.
• 2007 – Marbles Kids Museum opened, a fun and educational place for children.
• 2008 – A sister city relationship was established with Xiangyang, China.

2010s and Beyond

Raleigh experienced more growth and faced new challenges in the 2010s and 2020s.

• 2010 – The population reached 403,892.
• 2011
  • A major tornado outbreak hit the area.
  • The Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh opened.
  • Nancy McFarlane became mayor.
• 2012 – A sister city relationship was established with Nairobi, Kenya.
• 2013 – The Moral Mondays protest movement began in Raleigh.
• 2017 – A large fire broke out in downtown Raleigh, one of the biggest since the 1920s.
• 2020 – The population reached 467,665.