Begin your journey into the past as you step foot in Weldon, a town steeped in rich history and natural beauty. Dating back to the 1750s, Weldon's origins as an apple orchard marked the beginning of its transformation into a bustling transportation hub.

Situated on the picturesque banks of the Roanoke River, this charming town in Halifax County, Weldon, NC, captivates visitors with its enchanting setting. 

The Roanoke River, originating in Virginia, gracefully winds its way toward the Albemarle Sound and the vast Atlantic Ocean. However, the river's rapids posed a significant challenge for the transportation of goods and merchandise. To overcome this obstacle, the visionary construction of the Roanoke Canal commenced between 1819 and 1823. This remarkable engineering feat, including an aqueduct which still stands, created a 7.5-mile stretch of water, facilitating the smooth navigation of bateaux, shallow flat-bottomed boats. These vessels transported goods from the Roanoke Rapids terminus to the bustling Weldon terminus. At Weldon, goods were either warehoused or loaded onto larger vessels, continuing their journey toward the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 75 miles to the east.

As the era of railroads dawned, Weldon embraced its role as a pivotal transportation nexus. It proudly became the first major interstate railroad hub in the South, propelling the town into an era of rapid growth and economic prosperity. The ambitious Petersburg Railroad, founded in 1830, seamlessly connected Petersburg, Virginia, to Weldon, spanning an impressive 64 miles to the south.

To ensure the inclusion of Southside Virginia in the unfolding developments,  the Portsmouth, and Roanoke Railroad, established in 1833, efficiently transported goods from Weldon's terminus to port facilities in Norfolk, Virginia, approximately 85 miles northeast. Meanwhile, the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad, finished in 1840 and later gaining its official name in 1855, garnered global recognition as the longest railroad in the world, boasting an extensive track length of 161.5 miles. The fourth spoke into the hub, the Raleigh and Gaston line commenced operations in 1840, transporting goods from nearby Gaston, NC, on a scenic 92-mile route to the southwest, ultimately reaching the vibrant city of Raleigh.

Often forgotten is a fifth spoke in the railroads that anchored in Weldon, the Weldon Mill Railroad which ran from South Weldon through southwestern areas of Halifax County. It was mainly a logging line, serving the logging industry which has always been a significant portion of the county’s commerce—even to this day.

Almost a hundred years after its founding as Weldon’s apple orchard, the town was incorporated in 1843.

During the Civil War, Weldon's strategic location and robust rail network made it a vital hub for transporting troops and essential supplies to the front lines of the Confederacy. This pivotal role further solidified Weldon's significance in regional commerce, even though its north-south rail line was out of service for several years after the War.  Weldon prospered for another hundred years, but like many small towns across the nation, Weldon has faced economic challenges in recent years with the construction of a major north-south interstate highway, the dominance of air travel, and the emergence of large commercial stores along major highways in the vicinity.

Despite these changes, Weldon has remained resilient, preserving its unique character, and embracing new opportunities for growth and community development.

Railroad operations have evolved over time, with CSX Transportation emerging as the primary rail line responsible for transporting freight through Weldon. While the dedicated stop for Amtrak passenger trains from Florida to the Northwest no longer exists, an exciting future awaits. A new passenger station has been proposed, poised to once again welcome travelers and reconnect Weldon with the vibrant railway network.