| Meet Richmond County |
Richmond County was named for Charles Lenox, third Duke of
Richmond, England. The Duke had called for the removal of British
troops from America in 1778 when he was a member of the British
Parliament.
In the early 1800s, cotton became king in Richmond County. Gen.
Henry William Harrington, for whom Harrington Square is named,
started cotton cultivation along the Pee Dee River soon after the war.
River transportation gave Richmond County cotton farms good
access to the markets. Also, the railroad to Wilmington was
completed at the end of the Civil War, and that promoted the start
of cotton mills in the area.
In 1833, Richmond Manufacturing Company built the first cotton
mill in the county, the state's fifth chartered cotton mill. It was
destroyed in March 1865 by Sherman's troops.
Another mill, known as the Great Falls Mill, was built at the same
site, which was on Falling Creek, four years later. Others to come
were the Pee Dee Mill, Pee Dee Mill No. 2, Midway Mill, Roberdel
Mill, Roberdel Mill No. 2, Ledbetter Yarn Mill, Steele's Mill, Hannah
Pickett No. 1 and Entwistle Mill No. 1.
While there are still textile mills in Richmond County, the industrial
base has become more diversified.
While cotton is no longer the main crop in the county, agriculture
remains an important part of the county's economy.
In the 1970s, Richmond County introduced its water system for
rural customers. The county operates a modern water treatment
facility and draws water from Blewett Falls Lake.
New rural housing developments in the county center around the
incorporated towns of Rockingham, Hamlet, Ellerbe, Norman,
Dobbins Heights and Hoffman.
County government operates under a county manager form with
seven elected members on the Richmond County Board of
Commissioners.
To promote economic development, a Richmond County
Development Team has been appointed by the commissioners to
represent them in the operation of the Richmond County
Development Office. The business of the office is conducted by a
hired development director.
A new Richmond County Industrial Park is being developed along
the U.S. 74 Bypass. Both Rockingham and Hamlet also have industrial
parks available for development.
Among the main highway improvements planned for Richmond
County are a U.S. 1 Bypass of Rockingham, a U.S. 220 Bypass of
Ellerbe and a U.S. 73-74 Interstate route through the county.
Richmond, England. The Duke had called for the removal of British
troops from America in 1778 when he was a member of the British
Parliament.
In the early 1800s, cotton became king in Richmond County. Gen.
Henry William Harrington, for whom Harrington Square is named,
started cotton cultivation along the Pee Dee River soon after the war.
River transportation gave Richmond County cotton farms good
access to the markets. Also, the railroad to Wilmington was
completed at the end of the Civil War, and that promoted the start
of cotton mills in the area.
In 1833, Richmond Manufacturing Company built the first cotton
mill in the county, the state's fifth chartered cotton mill. It was
destroyed in March 1865 by Sherman's troops.
Another mill, known as the Great Falls Mill, was built at the same
site, which was on Falling Creek, four years later. Others to come
were the Pee Dee Mill, Pee Dee Mill No. 2, Midway Mill, Roberdel
Mill, Roberdel Mill No. 2, Ledbetter Yarn Mill, Steele's Mill, Hannah
Pickett No. 1 and Entwistle Mill No. 1.
While there are still textile mills in Richmond County, the industrial
base has become more diversified.
While cotton is no longer the main crop in the county, agriculture
remains an important part of the county's economy.
In the 1970s, Richmond County introduced its water system for
rural customers. The county operates a modern water treatment
facility and draws water from Blewett Falls Lake.
New rural housing developments in the county center around the
incorporated towns of Rockingham, Hamlet, Ellerbe, Norman,
Dobbins Heights and Hoffman.
County government operates under a county manager form with
seven elected members on the Richmond County Board of
Commissioners.
To promote economic development, a Richmond County
Development Team has been appointed by the commissioners to
represent them in the operation of the Richmond County
Development Office. The business of the office is conducted by a
hired development director.
A new Richmond County Industrial Park is being developed along
the U.S. 74 Bypass. Both Rockingham and Hamlet also have industrial
parks available for development.
Among the main highway improvements planned for Richmond
County are a U.S. 1 Bypass of Rockingham, a U.S. 220 Bypass of
Ellerbe and a U.S. 73-74 Interstate route through the county.
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