The hour-long segment focuses on the history of transportation in the state and will air on UNC-TV later this year or at the beginning of 2014, according to producer Michael Sheehan.

Bland Simpson, a professor of English and creative writing at UNC-Chapel Hill and author of several books on Eastern North Carolina, will host. 



Sheehan stated that the significance of rivers during the country’s early colonial period should not be underestimated.

“The rivers were the super highways of their day,” he said in reference to the nearby Roanoke River that runs through Halifax and Northampton counties. “It was a really important link for people in the back country to the coast.”



Sheehan’s research for the Roanoke River led him to the Roanoke Canal, which was completed in 1823 and allowed batteaux to navigate around the river’s great falls between Gaston and Weldon.

The canal’s locking system allowed river traffic to descend 90 feet. Further digging brought Sheehan to the Roanoke Canal Museum, which he visited in June. 

“I didn’t know much about the area,” he admitted. “I had no idea of the history. It’s a great story. To be able to see the locks is very cool. Anytime we can find something highly visual that tells the story, it’s great.”



Sheehan was also quick to point out the importance of Weldon’s role in the Roanoke Canal and early local development. A loading center was built there to transfer goods from the batteaux to barges and other large boats. The city was also one of the south’s first railroad hubs. “Weldon became a link between the south and the north,” he said.

“The railroad bridge in Weldon was important militarily,” added Simpson. “The Union tried to knock it out several times to keep supplies from General Lee’s army.”



According to Sheehan, Moving North Carolina is financed by the state’s Department of Transportation and the N.C. Railroad along with private contractors and engineering firms. Sheehan would like to return to the museum for a screening. 




The Roanoke Canal Museum and Trail is located at 15 Jackson Street Extension in Roanoke Rapids and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 

For more information, contact City of Roanoke Rapids Cultural Resources Leader Rodney D. Pierce at 252-537-2769 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.