Triangle Living Overview

Overview

From her earliest days, Durham has been a city focused upon the value of innovative business endeavors guided by ingenious business persons. In 1865, Durham was but a mere railroad stop serving as home to fewer than 100 people. However, the entrepreneurial spirit of those like Washington Duke and Julian S. Carr propelled Durham into an industrial age founded on energy production and mechanized cigarette manufacturing. These men decided that Durham would be the “City of the New South.”

About Durham

The Durham of the past was a city with traditional Southern charm and industries: tobacco and textiles. The Durham of the present retains that Southern charm, but is now a major center for Research and Development (R&D) and “City of Medicine, USA.” With entities like Glaxo-Wellcome, Becton- Dickinson, the Veterans Administration Medical Center, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences all working hard to improve the world’s well-being from their local facilities, Durham’s claim as America’s City of Medicine is well-founded.

From smokestacks to research, from textiles to medicine, from tobacco to technology; Durham has made the transition to 21st century business in an innovative and smooth manner that other communities still can only dream of developing. Durham, City of Medicine, is proud both of her significant heritage and her bright future. Durham is about 16 miles across, 25 miles long and 28 miles corner to corner. It is a very compact city, a 296 square mile community. Durham has a population of 148,000 and a work force of about 101,000 people. Another 40,000 people commute from nearby communities. There is a strong mix of people here, offering a rich history and diverse mix of natives, “relocated Yankees,” scholars, artisans, and both white-collar and blue-collar workers with a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds. Durham is host to two major universities. North Carolina Central University dates from 1910 when Dr. James Shepard founded a liberal arts college for African Americans in Durham. Trinity College moved from Randolph County to its present location in Durham in the late 1800s. Washington Duke donated $85,000 to facilitate the move, and Julian Carr donated the original plot of land. James Buchanan Duke donated $40 million, and the college was renamed Duke University in 1924.

Triangle Living

For more information about everything that the Triangle has to offer visit www.triangle.citysearch.com.

The Surrounding Areas

 North Carolina is divided into three geographic areas: the coast, the piedmont, and the mountains. Research Triangle Park is also a significant part of North Carolina and the Triangle Area. While you are here in Durham you will have opportunities to visit the mountains as well as the beaches of North Carolina. Whether you head for the mountains or the beach, either location is about two hours away. Both are well worth the trip.

Research Triangle Park

The 7,000-acre Research Triangle Park (RTP), located between Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, is the largest research park in the United States and is home to over 140 organizations. RTP has around 45,000 fulltime employees entering the Park each day. Recognized internationally as a center for cutting-edge research and development, the Park is owned and developed by the private, not-for-profit Research Triangle Foundation. The Research Triangle itself is named for the triangle formed by the area’s three universities: Duke University in Durham, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University in Raleigh.

The Beaches of North Carolina

  • The Northern Coast—The Outer Banks show you a side of the Carolina Beaches that make you fall in love with the land. While here you must see the lighthouses, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head and Hatteras Island. For more information call: 252- 473-2138 or 800-446-6262.
  • Wrightsville Beach:—Wrightsville Beach is the closest beach to Durham, about a 212 hour drive. Getting there is as simple as jumping on 40 East until you see the Atlantic Ocean. In the off season you can get a weekend getaway very cheaply. It is great to be on the coast for a few days and come back to school refreshed. For more information on the Cape Fear Coast call: 800-222-4757 or 919-341-4030. They will provide you with information on coastal getaways, golfing, and fishing.
  • Southern Beaches—Sunset Beach is a romantic, wide, homey beach. This place is quiet and very much the place for families and young couples trying to get away. Action here is more to the tune of kite flying and surfing. A favorite venture on this beach is walking to the most southern point when the tide is low and walking over to its tiny southern neighbor, Bird Island.
  • Ocean Isle stretches about eight uncrowded miles and is known for great fishing. There is a great coastal museum there.

The Mountains

The Blue Ridge Mountain Range is one of the most scenic areas in America. There are frequent overlooks that give breathtaking panoramic views. Spring and fall are the most amazing times of year to visit. Mountain laurel, azaleas, and rhododendron are in abundance in early spring, providing pleasure to the eye. Mid-October is usually the peak time for fall color.

“Must See” places in the mountains include:

  • The Appalachian National Scenic Trail (828-254-3708) A wilderness trail that is intended for foot travel. Shelters are provided every 8-12 miles
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (828-298-0398) Plenty of camping and, for the not-so-rustic, plenty of lodges
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park (423-436-1200)
  • Nantahala National Forest (828-257-4200) Over 500,000 acres of family camping, primitive camping, group camping, motor boating, bridal trails, fishing, nature hiking, and swimming
  • Asheville (800-257-1300) Plenty of golfing and art to be seen; home of the historic Biltmore Estate.

Last updated: 08/04/2005