First settled in the mid-1700s, Rocky Mount had an iron works in full operation by the 1770s. Iron production remained an important enterprise in the region through the mid-19th century and attracted suppliers of supporting goods and services to the area. In 1802, Franklin County built its courthouse in a neighboring village called Mount Pleasant, which later became part of Rocky Mount. The two rival villages retained separate identities until the incorporation of the town of Rocky Mount in the 1870s. Rocky Mount's population was depleted as many people and resources were drawn off to support conflict during the Civil War. The close of the war brought freedom for one-third of Rocky Mount's residents who sought employment and new opportunities for advancement locally. The 1870 census shows black residents in and around Rocky Mount primarily as farm laborers with a few domestic servants, a blacksmith and a farmer who owned his land and equipment.

The railroad has been crucial in the development of Rocky Mount Photo courtesy of Virginia Main Street Program

The development of two railroad lines into Rocky Mount between 1880 and 1895 brought access to Lynchburg and Danville markets, as well as Norfolk and points west. Industry and commerce then expanded, as did the population and social institutions. All told, by 1898 Rocky Mount had a population of about 600 inhabitants, 100 lots with buildings, two hotels, two factories, a machine shop and 14 stores. Around 1900, Nathaniel P. Angle emerged as the industrialist and merchant who would dominate Rocky Mount's manufacturing and commercial economy until his death in the 1930s. Developing a variety of businesses, N. P. Angle controlled most of Rocky Mount's industrial production and mercantile commerce by World War I. As a civic leader, Angle lead the way as the town council instituted Progressive Era policies and programs to serve and regulate the growing populace, new factories and growing businesses between 1900 and World War I.

While several of Angle's ventures were able to keep people employed during the Great Depression, Rocky Mount received benefits from several New Deal programs including: the Federal Emergency Administration for improvements to the town's water and sewer system; the Works Progress Administration for the construction of the Rocky Mount Post Office and the preparation of a research article under the Federal Writer's Project. N. P. Angle's era in Rocky Mount ended with his death in 1936, though his businesses, like other industrial manufacturers in Rocky Mount, continued to grow and be profitable after World War II.

The Farmers Market, open seven days a week, draws residents and visitors to the Rocky Mount Historic District Photo courtesy of Virginia Main Street Program

Partly in response to the expanded industrial activity on its outskirts, the town of Rocky Mount received a new charter in 1962. With subsequent charter amendments through the 1970s, the town of Rocky Mount expanded its corporate boundaries. The Franklin County Bicentennial Commission in the 1980s rekindled civic pride and interest in community history. Rocky Mount became a Virginia Main Street community in 1995. Two years later, the Town Council unanimously supported historic district designation for the commercial core. The Community Partnership for the Revitalization of Rocky Mount has been leading revitalization efforts that have resulted in many rehabilitation projects and public improvements to Rocky Mount's commercial core.

The Rocky Mount Historic District is located at the intersections of U.S. Rte. 220 and VA Rte. 40, roughly bounded by Franklin, Maynor and E. Court sts., and Floyd and Maple aves. The Community Partnership for the Revitalization of Rocky Mount is located at the old train station downtown and is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday-Friday. For more information about shopping, dining and events in Rocky Mount call The Partnership at 540-489-3825.

Main Street Home | List of Sites | Map| Learn More | Itineraries | NR Home | Next Site
Essays: Virginia Main Street | Agriculture and Industry| Commercial Architecture in Virginia| Transportation

Comments or Questions

JPJ/RQ/SB