Reidsville, North Carolina
| Reidsville, North Carolina | |
|---|---|
| City | |
| Motto: "Live Simply. Think Big." | |
 Location of Reidsville, North Carolina |
|
| Coordinates: 36°20′43″N 79°40′30″W / 36.34528°N 79.67500°WCoordinates: 36°20′43″N 79°40′30″W / 36.34528°N 79.67500°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Rockingham |
| Area | |
| • Total | 14.9 sq mi (38.6 km2) |
| • Land | 13.4 sq mi (34.6 km2) |
| • Water | 1.5 sq mi (3.9 km2) |
| Elevation | 830 ft (253 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 14,520 |
| • Density | 1,083.1/sq mi (418.2/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP codes | 27320, 27323 |
| Area code(s) | 336 |
| FIPS code | 37-55900 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1022217 |
Reidsville is a city in Rockingham County, North Carolina. At the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 14,520.
Reidsville was established in the early 19th century as an outpost and stop on the stage line that ran between Salisbury, North Carolina, and Danville, Virginia, and was originally known as Wright's Crossroads. The community grew from a single home and inn owned by the family of Reuben Reid, a local farmer, businessman, justice of the peace and father of David S. Reid), into a thriving farming community primarily supporting tobacco production and cigarette manufacturing. Reidsville was officially incorporated by the North Carolina State Legislature in 1873 and became a key location of the American Tobacco Company which employed large numbers of city and county residents. The American Tobacco Company was the mainstay of Reidsville economics until its sale and closure in 1994. Many textile mills were established in Reidsville as well, with Cone Mills and Burlington Industries consolidating most of them in the mid-20th century, although most have now closed. Although Reidsville has experienced economic recession in recent years the community has enjoyed a renewal of growth as a sleeper city supplying a source of rural development for the surrounding larger cities.
Reidsville is located at 36°20'43" North, 79°40'30" West (36.345347, −79.675094).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.9 square miles (39 km2), of which 13.4 square miles (35 km2) is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km2) is water. The total area is 10.14% water.
The early roots of Reidsville, incorporated in 1873 by the State Legislature, date back to the early 19th century when William Wright of the Little Troublesome Creek area owned a tavern and store on the road connecting Danville and Salem. This outpost, called Wright’s Crossroads, was the earliest settlement in the present-day city and was overseen by Wright’s son, Nathan, and then Nathan Wright’s son-in-law, Robert Payne Richardson. Richardson’s home, built in 1842 on a knoll overlooking Little Troublesome Creek, still remains on Richardson Drive and has the distinction of being the oldest standing house in the city.
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