Leg six... Roanoke Rapids, Weldon, Halifax, NC

[TerryC]

On the afternoon of the 18th, PeteyGirl and I arrived at Roanoke Rapids. NC I lived here from '91 to 2000. I will make this a longer post as we have MUCH historical material to cover. We arrived too late to visit but HAD to go to RALPH'S BBQ. EVERYBODY in the neighborhood eats at Ralph's.
PG and I met my ex and her brother-in-law, Eddie Warren on the morning of the 19th. It was a short but nice visit. Tnx. Eddie's dad was the Halifax county Sheriff when I lived in RR. I then showed PG Roanoke Rapids. You may not remember RR, but you older people will remember the movie "Norma Rae" starring Sally Fields.

This is the J P Stevens textile mill where Norma unionized the textile workers... right here in RR!
It is no longer in operation. RR is becoming a ghost town now.

At the east end of town is a barge canal that allowed commerce to circumvent the rapids on the river. In the lock(s) is a replica barge.


They stuffed and hung a fish on the building that I caught in the canal!
(He he!)



I detected these locks before it turned into a museum and found a few old coins but nothing significant. On to Weldon!

Weldon was a very important railroad hub before, during, and after the Civil War.


In the '90s somewhere, 3 Civil War muskets were found under the wooden platform of this Weldon station. It was posted in the local paper.
(a mural on a local building of this same station... date unknown )

Now, on to Halifax!


Halifax was a recruiting center for both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Here are a few of the places PeteyGirl and I visited.
Back in the '90s, I was shown a building foundation that had a "6 pounder" cannonball stuck in it. The foundation no longer exists.



This Market square would make ANY detectorist salivate!


A few more places...




And... THE JAIL!


LOCK HER UP! LOCK HER UP!


LOCKED ME UP LOCKED ME UP!


OK. After Halifax, we scooted back to Tucson, stopping in Brunswick GA, Breaux Bridge LA, Katy TX, Fort Stockton TX (we took pics here for those interested) and Deming NM. To Tucson. We logged 5600 miles! Spent 1500 JUST ON GAS and loved going on this adventure! Thank you for following! TTC

 

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[Kray Gelder]

Thanks for the updates throughout your road trip. I had a good time, enjoyed the pics and narrative. As a former lawman, how'd it feel on the other side of those bars?

 

[TerryC]

SCARY! Not really. The cell was open to the public.


Also in the historic district of Halifax was a building that, among other things, auctioned slaves.
(difficult to read but maybe an internet search will reveal the building's history)

Here's a little more of Weldon.


The cemetery is in a "depressed" area of Weldon and the locals probably have desecrated the site. The Daughters of the Confederacy have probably removed those headstones that were not broken or stolen.
TTC

 

[tamrock]

Fun stuff. Where ya headed next?

 

[TerryC]

Fun stuff. Where ya headed next?

MEXICO! Yes. After I lay a new floor in the Scamp, we will cross at Nogales. Wait in line for hours, get the passports stamped, motor in for ten minutes, then wait in line for hours to get OUT. My 2013 Jeep would be a PRIZE to steal so we have no intentions of allowing that. Just want the "bubble" to go international. TTC

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Great photos!

 

[WannaDig3687]

Awesome trip. Terry & Petey Girl! I enjoyed everything! I am glad it was a safe journey for you.
Thanks again for taking us along!