Goldsboro, North Carolina
Encyclopedia : G : GO : GOL : Goldsboro, North Carolina
Goldsboro is a city in Wayne County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 39,043 at the 2000 census. Founded in 1787, incorporated in 1847, it is the county seat of Wayne County[Geographic references#6GR6]. The city is situated on the North Carolina Inner Banks and is bordered on the south by the Neuse River and the west by the Little River, about 35 miles southwest of Greenville6 and 90 km (55mi) southeast of Raleigh, the state capital. Goldsboro is best known as home to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
History
Around 1787, when Wayne County was formed, a town named Waynesborough grew around the county's courthouse. Located on the east bank of the Neuse River, the town became the county seat. Population growth in Waynesborough continued through the 1830s, however this changed once the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad was completed in the early 1840s. By then, a hotel had been built at the intersection of the railroad and New Bern Road, which grew into a community after the train started to transport passengers from there.More and more citizens soon relocated from Waynesborough to this growing village, named eventually "Goldsborough's Junction" after Major Matthew T. Goldsborough, an Assistant Chief Engineer with the railroad line. Later this was shortened simply to Goldsborough. In 1847, the town was incorporated and became the new Wayne County seat.
In the following decades,Goldsborough's growth continued in part by new railroad connections to Charlotte and Beaufort. By 1861, the town's population was estimated to be 1,500.
Because of its importance as railroad junction, Goldsborough played a significant role in the Civil War, for both stationing Confederate troops as well as transporting their supplies. The town also provided hospitals for soldiers wounded in nearby battles.
In December 1862, the Battle of Goldsborough Bridge was waged, in which both sides fought for possession of the strategically significant Wilmington and Weldon Railroad Bridge. Union General John Foster arrived with his troops on December 17, aiming to destroy this bridge in order to put an end to the vital supply chain from the port of Wilmington. He succeeded on that same day, his troops overpowering the small amount of defending Confederate soldiers, and burning down the bridge. On their way back to New Bern, Foster's men were attacked again by Confederate troops, but they survived the attack with less casualties than the enemy.
Goldsborough was once more the scene of a Union offensive in 1865, during Union General Sherman's Carolinas Campaign. After the battles of Bentonville and Wyse Fork, Sherman's forces met with the armies of Schofield, their troops taking over the city in March. During the following three weeks, Goldsborough was occupied by over 100,000 Union soldiers. After the war was over, some of these troops continued to stay in the city.
In 1869, the spelling of the city was officially changed to Goldsboro.
The Seymour Johnson Air Force Base opened on the outskirts of Goldsboro in April 1942. From this point on, much of the city's population and businesses increased as result of the airbase's presence.
In 1961, two hydrogen bombs were dropped accidentally on the village of Faro, 12 miles north of Goldsboro. The two Mark39 weapons were released after the crew abandoned a B-52 bomber which had suffered mid-flight structural failure. Both bombs went through several steps in the arming sequence, but neither one detonated.
In 1993, Money Magazine recognised Goldsboro as one of the top ten "Best Places to Live in America".
Law and Government
Alfonzo "Al" King is presently the city's Mayor, succeeding former mayor Hal Plonk in 2002. As mayor, King is the official and ceremonial head of city government and presides at all City Council meetings. The mayor and the City Council are elected to office for a four-year term. Goldsboro has a council-manager government, Joseph R. Huffman is the current City Manager and Michelle Daw is city clerk.City Council members
- 1st District: Jimmy Bryan
- 2nd District: Bob Waller
- 3rd District: Donnie R. Chatman, Sr.
- 4th District: Rev. Charles J. Willaims, Sr.
- 5th District: Chuck Allen
- 6th District: Jackie Warrick
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 64.3 km² (24.8 mi²). 64.2 km² (24.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.08%) is water.
Sites of interest
- Waynesborough Historical Village, a reconstructed "village" located near the original site of the town of Waynesborough, it is a home to historical Wayne County buildings ranging from varied periods of time. These buildings include a family home, a medical office, a one room school, a law office, and a Quaker Meeting House.
- Herman Park, with facilities including a recreational center, a miniature train, tennis courts, three picnic shelters, a turn-of-the-century park house, a gazebo, a goldfish pond and fountain, and a children's playground.
- The Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course, built in 1941 and renovated in 1999 under supervision of golf course architect John LaFoy.
- Downtown Goldsboro offers views of historical buildings.
Education
Colleges
High Schools
- Eastern Wayne High School
- Goldsboro High School
- Rosewood High School
- Spring Creek High School
- Wayne Christian High School
- Wayne Country Day School
- Charles B. Ayock High School
- Southern Wayne High School
Media
Newspaper
The Goldsboro News-Argus is the city's and the county's most popular newspaper, with a daily circulation of approximately 22,500.Television
Goldsboro currently supports one local television station called Channel 10. It is a cable station not readily accessible to everyone, but often features stories about local indivduals, groups and events.Notable natives and former residents
Notable people from Goldsboro include:- George Altman, a baseball player
- Warren Barfield, a musician
- Curtis Hooks Brogden, a 19th century politician
- Mike Evans, a basketball coach
- Johnny Grant, a radio personality and television producer
- Anne Jeffreys, an actress and singer
- Carl Kasell, a radio newscaster
- John H. Kerr, III, a senator
- Clyde King, a baseball manager
- Jerry Narron, a baseball manager
- Sam Narron, a baseball player
- Mark O'Meara, a golfer
- David Thornton, an American football player
- Thomas Washington, an admiral during WWI
- William Henry Washington, a 19th century politician
- Manny Lawson, 1st round NFL draft pick from North Carolina State
Hospitals
- Wayne Memorial Hospital is large medical facility located in Goldsboro, known for its use of advanced medical technology and as the county's second largest employer.
- Cherry Hospital is a psychiatric hospital, which began initially in 1880 to treat mentally ill African Americans. A museum depicting its history is also part of the hospital campus.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 39,043 people, 14,630 households, and 9,465 families residing in the city. The population density was 608.1/km² (1,574.9/mi²). There were 16,372 housing units at an average density of 255.0/km² (660.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 43.04% White, 52.24% African American, 0.43% Native American, 1.44% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.69% of the population.There were 14,630 households out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.1% were married couples living together, 20.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males. Because of the warm climate, low cost of living, and proximity of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, many military retirees live in the area.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,456, and the median income for a family was $34,844. Males had a median income of $26,223 versus $21,850 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,614. About 15.4% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.7% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.
External links
- [Official website of Goldsboro, NC]
- [Goldsboro News-Argus, Local newspaper of Goldsboro, NC]
- [Goldsboro, NC]
- [Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base]
References
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