Editing Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina (section)

==Attractions==
Roanoke Rapids is known for its many historical sites.  The original [[Roanoke Rapids High School]] building or Senior building as it is sometimes referred, opened in 1921 and is still in use. The building embodies many elements of Elizabethan Gothic and [[Tudor Revival]] architecture in its castle-like facade. It was built by industrialist Samuel Paterson and designed by renowned architect [[Hobart Upjohn]] in a modified H-design. Hobart Upjohn was the grandson of Richard Upjohn, architect of [[Christ Episcopal Church (Raleigh, North Carolina)|Christ Episcopal Church]] in [[Raleigh, North Carolina]] and [[Trinity Church (Manhattan)|Trinity Church, in New York, NY]] among other notable buildings.  The high school is the dominant building in the city's central core and is flanked by another castle-like structure which formerly housed a [[National Guard of the United States|National Guard]] [[Armory (military)|Armory]]. In addition to Roanoke Rapids High School, the [[Roanoke Canal]] and [[Roanoke Rapids Historic District]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>
 
The Roanoke Canal Museum and Trail is one of the city's oldest historical sites. The 1823 canal lock building has been adapted as a museum to show the significance of the canal system to American westward expansion.  It offers an in-depth look at the influential people who pushed for the [[Roanoke River]] to become a source of trade and navigation, as well as the commodities that were shipped and traded on the Roanoke River. The trail, over seven miles long, is adjacent to the museum and largely parallel to the Roanoke River.

Roanoke Rapids had planned [[Carolina Crossroads]], an entertainment district founded by a group of local business developers.  Attractions were to include the [[Randy Parton]] Theater as an anchor for the development, an outdoor amphitheater, a campground, an aquarium, hotels, restaurants, outlet shopping, travel center, several other dinner theaters, and water park.  The association between the city and [[Randy Parton]], brother of [[Dolly Parton]], ended in December 2006.  The city renamed the theater as the Roanoke Rapids Theater. A [[Black Widow Billiards Center]] was also announced by the pool player, [[Jeanette Lee (pool player)|Jeanette Lee]].<ref>{{cite news| title=Jeanette Lee Opens Black Widow Billiards Centers| url=http://triangle.dbusinessnews.com/shownews.php?type_news=latest&newsid=111899| work=Triangle Business Journal| access-date=2008-01-20| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080429090700/http://triangle.dbusinessnews.com/shownews.php?newsid=111899&type_news=latest| archive-date=2008-04-29}}</ref> Carolina Crossroads and the theater in particular became a controversial matter because of the city's financial exposure. After nearly a decade of failed attempts to lease or sell the theater, the city sold the theater on July 23, 2018.<ref>{{cite news | first=Don| last=Carrington| title=Roanoke Rapids finally unloads former Randy Parton Theatre | date=2018-07-25 | publisher=[[Carolina Journal]] | url=http://www.carolinajournal.com/news-article/roanoke-rapids-finally-unloads-former-randy-parton-theatre/ | access-date = 2018-07-28}}</ref>