1587
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Under direction of Sir Walter Raleigh, John White founds the “Cittie of Raleigh” and returns to England.
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1590
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John White returns, but the colony has disappeared, leaving the word “Croatoan” carved on a tree the singular clue as to the colony’s fate.
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December 17, 1770
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Joel Lane presents a petition to the General Assembly to create a new county.
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January 5, 1771
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A bill creating Wake County passes in the General Assembly. Wake County is formed in March from portions of Cumberland, Orange and Johnston counties. Many historians believe the county was named after Margaret Wake Tryon, the wife of Royal Gov. William Tryon. The county seat was Bloomsbury.
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October 1784
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Meeting in New Bern, the General Assembly voted to fix the seat of North Carolina government.
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November 1787
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The General Assembly authorizes the Constitutional Convention to establish the state’s permanent capital.
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August 4, 1788
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The Constitutional Convention votes to locate the new capital within 10 miles of Issac Hunter’s Wake plantation.
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January 5, 1792
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The General Assembly appoints commissioners to select a site for the new capital.
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March 20, 1792
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After 10 days of viewing the proposed sites, the commissioners select a tract of land owned by Joel Lane for the new capital at a cost of $2,756. Sen. William Christmas, a surveyor, is hired to lay out the new city. The sale of lots begins.
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November 1792
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The North Carolina General Assembly chooses the name “Raleigh” for its capital city.
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October 21, 1794
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William Shaw is appointed Raleigh postmaster. Post riders carry mail on three routes.
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December 30, 1794
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General Assembly meets for the first time in Raleigh new Statehouse.
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January 21, 1795
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General Assembly charters Raleigh. Seven commissioners are appointed to govern the new city. John Haywood is named the first Intendant of Police (later renamed Mayor).
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1798
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Raleigh is made “the place of common residence” of the governor.
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1799
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N.C. Minerva and Raleigh Advertiser is the first newspaper published in Raleigh.
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1800
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Raleigh’s population is 669.
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1801
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At the cost of $374, the City purchases its first fire engine which expels water at 80 gallons per minute.
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1803
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Amended charter grants voting rights to city residents. Raleigh voters elect first commissioners.
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December 29, 1808
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Andrew Johnson, the nation’s seventeenth President, is born at Casso’s Inn, which was located between Morgan, Fayetteville and Willington streets.
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September 1818
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Raleigh’s first water system is completed. Pumps were operated by waterwheel on Rocky Branch and the water flowed by gravity through wooden spouts along Hargett and Fayetteville streets. The pipes frequently clogged with mud and burst and the scheme soon was abandoned.
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March 1819
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Raleigh forms a volunteer fire company. The City buys a pump fire engine.
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1820
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Raleigh is North Carolina’s third largest city with a population of 2,674.
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December 22, 1821
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The first regular fire company is formed.
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1829
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Raleigh publisher Joseph Gales publishes first book of poetry by African-American George Moses Horton, who was among the most esteemed professional men of letter in the nation.
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September 1830
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Oil lamps appear on some Raleigh streets.
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June 21, 1831
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Fire destroys the Statehouse. In December of 1832, the General Assembly votes to rebuild the Capitol.
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January 1, 1833
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The first railroad in the state is completed in Raleigh. Horse-drawn cars haul quarried granite to the construction site of the new Capitol. Riding the train is a popular means of entertainment for Raleigh society.
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1840
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Raleigh & Gaston Railroad is chartered, opening on March 24 with 86 miles of track. The steam locomotives were given the spirited names of “Tornado,” “Whirlwind,” “Volcano” and “Spitfire.” In June, Raleigh, which had 2,244 people and was the fourth largest city in the state, celebrated the completions of the new railroad and the new Capitol.
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1842
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St. Mary’s School for Women is founded by the Rev. Aldert Smedes.
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April 17, 1844
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Sitting under one of the city’s finest and oldest oak trees, Presidential candidate Henry Clay writes the “Raleigh Letter,” arguing against the annexation of Texas. The Henry Clay Oaks stood for many centuries on the north side of North Street, west of the intersection with North Blount Street. After losing the presidential nomination to North Carolina native James K. Polk, Clay retorted: “Sir, I would rather be right than be president.” more>>>
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