Raleigh

… city, county seat, and state capital, central Wake County on Neuse River. Made county seat in 1771 and known as Wake Court House until the site was selected as the state capital in 1792 and named for Sir Walter Raleigh (1552?-1618), English statesman who sent the first English colonists to Roanoke Island. Inc. 1794. The legislature met at Wake Court House in 1781 and has met in Raleigh since 1794. Alt. 363. Now includes former communities of Oberlin and Caraleigh, which see, and West Raleigh. Home of North Carolina State University, Meredith College, Peace College, St. Mary's School, Shaw University, and St. Augustine's College. Produces farm machinery, bakery products, processed meat, paper products, fabricated metals, heavy equipment, textiles, dairy products, cottonseed oil, and printed products.