Knightdale is a small town in Wake County east of Raleigh. Founded in 1927, Knightdale was an agricultural town, heavily reliant on tobacco as a cash crop, and a railroad town. With the population boom experienced in the Research Triangle area in the 1990s, Knightdale has in many ways become a suburb of Raleigh, abutting the city at the Neuse River. The community was named after Henry Haywood Knight, farmer and businessman.
Location
Just east of Raleigh on US Hwy 64, Knightdale used to be a “drivethru” city. Whether you were coming from the East going to Raleigh or heading East to the beach from the Triangle area, Knightdale was merely a town off the highway you drove through. Since the opening of the US Hwy 64 Bypass in the summer of 2005, the quality of life in Knightdale improved significantly. No longer is the business highway through town jammed with interstate traffic looking to bypass Knightdale. The Bypass provides an alternative for travelers who might have other destinations in mind. What is left now is Knightdale Boulevard. This tree-lined urban boulevard has easily identifiable business addresses and access made simple by the reduced traffic volume.
The latitude of Knightdale is 35.787N. The longitude is -78.48W. It is in the Eastern Standard time zone. Elevation is 315 feet.
History
After some early exploration, the King of England decided to apportion land to settlers will to travel to the Carolinas, specifically what is now known as the Wake County, Johnston County areas. So John Hinton decided to head west and make that area his home in the 1730s. He settled in what is now called Knightdale and built the first-ever home erected by a white man in the area. His land extended all the way to Clayton, but he chose to settle near the Neuse River.
Soon others followed and the area formed a local government with Hinton as the Justice of the Peace. At the time, the area that made up Hinton’s land was called Craven County. In the 1950s, it became part of Johnston County (currently home to Garner and Clayton). Hinton was ordered to organize a militia, which primarily served as a police force until the county was divided again. In 1771, Wake County was carved out of Johnston County. And when the American Revolution began, Hinton switched sides and quickly became a military leader for the Patriots. Hinton played a key role in the first battle of the American Revolution fought on North Carolina soil. It was the battle at Moore's Creek Bridge, and was fought in February of 1776.
Hinton was chosen as a delegate to the Fourth Provincial Congress after the battle, and it was this Congress that passed a resolution known as the Halifax Resolve. Thomas Jefferson used this document as part of the basis for the Declaration of Independence!
Three of the seven Hinton plantations in the Knightdale area are still intact. They are: The Oaks, Midway, and Beaver Dam.
After the war, farmers grew tobacco and cotton, and while slavery was not as prominent here, it did play a key role in the Knightdale area. Many slaves are buried in unmarked grave plots throughout the Knightdale area. Although documentation of grave sites has been lost, the burials remain a significant part of the Knightdale landscape.
When the Civil War had wrapped up, the armies filled the area and ravaged the land and many homes. The Clay Hill and Midway Plantations saw the greatest damage. It is said that the Hintons buried some of their family valuables to keep them away from the Yankee forces. During the time of rebuilding, Raleigh saw a population boom. As a result, Wake County redrew the map of the county and divided it into Townships. Knightdale was located in St. Matthew's Township, and it still is today.
Farmers grew corn and other vegetables, but gold leaf tobacco was the dominant crop and united the people of the town. In the late 1800s, the people want a town to form. Henry Haywood Knight put words into action when he donated some of his land to the Norfold and Southern Railroads to lure them to the area. In 1904, the railroad finally came. The area’s pace picked up, and timber, farm products and people were brought to Raleigh. Knightdale attracted railroad workers and their families.
Soon there was a doctor, a general store and many others along the main streets in town. The increase in activity paid off, and Knightdale was incorporated by the North Carolina Legislature on March 9, 1927. That drew even more activity, from farmer’s coops to barber shops and restaurants. Without a municipal water system, however, the city was unable to stop a devastating fire in down town in 1940 that threatened the entire downtown business district, and many businesses and homes were lost. In 1952 a municipal water system was installed.
When the railroad’s importance reduced and the people’s reliance on cards increased, Knightdale’s location along Hwy 64 also benefited the town. In the late 1980's the town built the Mingo Creek sewer outfall, connecting to Raleigh. The sewer opened development on the south side of Highway 64 including Parkside, Planter's Walk and Mingo Creek subdivisions. Between 1990 and 2000 Knightdale's population increased from 1,700 to more than 6,000 residents, making it the seventh fastest growing town in North Carolina.
Taxes
If you live in the corporate limits of Knightdale, your tax rate is 50 cents per $100 of assessed valuation plus the county rate of 60.4 cents per $100, for a total tax of $1.104 per $100 in 2007.
Property is appraised every eight years. The assessed valuation is 100% of the appraised value. The county property tax rate is 60.4 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
Demographics
The population was 5,958 at the 2000 census. The estimated population, in 2003, was 6,052. The census also revealed:
• The median age was 31
• For every 100 females there were 87.7 males
• The median household income was $56,021
• The median family income was $62,073
• Male median income was $41,149
• Female median income was $30,325
• Per capita income was $23,340
• 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line
The racial makeup of the town was 67.86% White, 26.84% African American, 0.35% Native American, 1.46% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.03% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.69% of the population.
Education
The Wake County Public School System boasts 49 Schools of Excellence and 61 Schools of Distinction. Knightdale currently offers four elementary schools K-5: Forestville Road, Lockhart, Knightdale and Hodge Road. East Wake Middle School provides the space for grades 6-8 and Knightdale High School provides an in-town campus for grades 9-12, in addition to East Wake High School.
The Triangle region is also home to numerous colleges, universities, technical schools and community colleges. With its close proximity to Raleigh, educational opportunities never need to end. With Wake Technical Community College currently buildings its North Wake Campus on NC Hwy. 401, Knightdale residents will be just 10 minutes away. The North Wake Campus is expected to be ready for students by Fall of 2007.
Shopping & Restaurants
From small, family-owned shops to national chains, Knightdale has a lot of shopping and restaurant options. Restaurant types include Southern cooking, steakhouses, Mexican, Italian, Japanese, Chinese or Sports Bar or enjoy fresh fish, shrimp and oysters at the local seafood and oyster bar. The Shoppes at Midway Plantation is a large commercial shopping center located at the intersection of I540 and Knightdale Blvd., with more than 425,000 sq. ft. of retail space, representing nationally known retail chains.
Knightdale’s current planning includes 9.56-square miles, which have been zoned for industrial, commercial, residential and mixed-use development. More than half of this area is identified as vacant, leaving tremendous growth opportunities for Knightdale’s future.
Famous People
Frankie Muniz, the actor and star of "Malcolm in the Middle" is from Knightdale.
Parks & Recreation
Knightdale is an enthusiastic community that takes recreation seriously. Knightdale Parks and Recreation Department provides activities for more than 2000 – adults and children! Youth ages 5-17 participate in programs including basketball, baseball, tee ball and softball. An adult summer and winter basketball sports league is provided as well as a co-ed softball league. There is also a new Recreation Center, which is part of 169-acre parcel that includes a park, Knightdale High and Forestville Road Elementary. There are four ball fields, two soccer fields and a playground. The Knightdale Pool is open to the public during the summer for swimming and swim lessons. The pool site also has a free 9-hole Frisbee golf course.
Knightdale Environmental Education Park is located behind Knightdale Town Hall on Steeple Square Court. It’s a half-mile walking trail with two observation overlooks, picnic areas and environment sculptures. Also, Harper Park located on Main Street features five picnic areas with grills and is the site of a Teen Center called “The Place.” The center is open to teenagers under 18. There you’ll find air hockey, foosball, pool tables, games, darts, computers with internet access, TVs and Play Station. The school year program includes homework time with a tutor and supervised internet access for projects and assignments. There is a small fee associated with it.
Annual Events
The Annual Easter Egg Hunt is held the Saturday before Easter weekend at 11:00 a.m. in Harper Park on Main Street. There are plenty of eggs for everyone ages 8 and under. Some eggs contain special prizes. The Volunteer Day Celebration, a family festival, is held the 2nd Saturday in September in Harper Park on Main Street, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Enjoy games, food, music, inflatable rides, ponies, a rock wall, and more.
The Tree Lighting Celebration and Santa’s Magical Workshop is held at the Caboose on First Avenue the Friday before the Christmas Parade at 6:00-7:30 p.m. Bring letters to Santa, visit Mrs. Claus and the elves at the Caboose and see the workshop! There’s also a tree lighting, music and more! The annual Christmas Parade is held the first Saturday in December at 2:00 p.m. in downtown Knightdale.
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