Establishment of Raleigh, North Carolina

Background. Following the American Revolutionary War, when the United States gained independence, the area that became Raleigh was chosen as the site of the state capital in 1788. Its central location protected it from attacks from the coast. Earlier in the colonial period, Bath had been the first nominal capital from 1705 until 1722, when Edenton took over the role, and New Bern was the largest city and the capital of North Carolina during the American Revolution. In December 1770, Joel Lane successfully petitioned the North Carolina General Assembly to create a new county.

Establishment. Raleigh was officially established in 1792 as both the county seat and state capital. It is one of the few cities in the United States planned and built specifically to serve as a state capital. The city was incorporated on December 31, 1792, and a charter was granted on January 21, 1795, establishing a board of commissioners and an Intendant of Police to govern the city.

Interim Period. From 1789 to 1794, when Raleigh was being built, the state capital was Fayetteville. The North Carolina General Assembly first met in Raleigh in December 1794, and granted the city a charter with a board of seven appointed commissioners and an "Intendant of Police" to govern it.