Happy 150th birthday Rocky Mount!

From its humble beginnings as a “rocky mound” to earning a “Best Main Street in the Making” honor, Rocky Mount has blossomed over the last century and a half, creating a great environment to live, work and raise a family. Read more about the remarkable strides the city has taken, from lowering the Rocky Mount crime rate to fighting unemployment. 

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The crack of a baseball bat. The smell of fresh-cut crash. Cheers bursting from the dugout. Kicking up dust while sliding into home base.  These sights and sounds represent something much larger than "America's National Pastime." For area youth, these images represent a connection with the past that gives them a brighter future.

Baseball is also a Rocky Mount tradition; one of the sport’s most celebrated athletes has deep roots in Eastern North Carolina. Baseball great Buck Leonard – often called the "black Lou Gehrig" -- was born in Rocky Mount. Most noted for playing for the Homestead Grays, Leonard was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.

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Of course, you recognize the name Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but what about Rev. George Dudley? You’ve grooved to the smooth jazz of Thelonious Monk, but do you know about Luther Barnes?

There are a lot of interesting tidbits about Rocky Mount's African American heritage with which you may not be familiar. Join us as we look at four things you may find surprising.

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Rocky Mount, NC has taken a bite out of crime; for the second year, the crime rate has dropped 15 to 16 percent. How did the city do it? It's a combination of revitalization, community policing, extensive training and partnering with citizens. “This report is a testament to the ongoing, outstanding work of Rocky Mount Police Department personnel,” Police Chief James Moore said

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 What’s there to love about Rocky Mount? A lot! From the amazing downtown architecture to the Imperial Center, we've counted down the top ten things we love about Rocky Mount. (We confess: It was difficult to limit our list to only ten.) Are any of your favorites on our list?

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What do President Lyndon Johnson, Martin Luther King Jr and Jack Kerouac have in common? All of them have a place in Rocky Mount, NC history. The comforting rattle of the train beckons young and old alike to close their eyes and remember the past in order to embrace a brighter future. Are you aware of some of these lesser-known Rocky Mount facts? 

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 Members of the Rocky Mount Police Department referred to them as the three Cs, and they are important to remember when approached by an officer: be courteous, cooperative and compliant. These three Cs were the focus of a local "Know Your Rights" forum that captured the attention of both the The Los Angeles Times  and The News and Observer .  If you are pulled over by a cop, do you know your rights?  Read more to find out and watch video highlights from the popular and important community event.

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