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Interesting Facts
- The Triangle has been characterized as an area of "trees, tees and PhDs," because of the plentiful hardwood and evergreen forests, its world-class golfers and courses, and its major universities. Even though the state capital of Raleigh has no publicly owned golf courses, Durham does. A number of excellent private courses and semi-private courses are found in the Raleigh area.
- Is there a doctor in the house? Yes, quite a few! Dubbed the City of Medicine, Durham boasts five times more physicians per person than the national average and is world renowned for its healthcare facilities, cutting edge research and educational institutions.
- Bull Durham smoking tobacco, a brand of tobacco that existed well into the 20th century, was founded in Durham. John R. Green owned the tobacco factory and named the tobacco Bull Durham after the picture of a bull on the jar of Coleman's mustard. Eventually the image of the bull was appearing in advertisements all around the world. A Bull Durham ad painted behind the NY Yankees' dugout inspired a new baseball expression, "bullpen."
- Around 1905, West Parrish Street in Durham switched from being an industrial district to a commercial one when the North Carolina Mutual and Provident Association, a black owned and operated insurance company, bought several lots there. The company, now known as North Carolina Mutual Life, remains the largest black-managed financial institution in the world.
- Raleigh was named after Sir Walter Raleigh who, according to romantic lore, spread his cloak before Queen Elizabeth to spare her feet from stepping in a mud puddle. It was unfortunate that Queen Elizabeth was not around in 1618 to spare his head when James I had Raleigh decapitated.
- Accommodations in the Raleigh Durham area are plentiful with types varying from economy chains to locally owned hotels. However, keep in mind that this area is home to many colleges and universities and there are some weekends that you really need to make reservations ahead. For example, you can count on six months to a year ahead for graduation weekends in May.
- In 1865, General Sherman made a bed and breakfast out of the Governor's Mansion in Raleigh. After Sherman left, no honorable governor of North Carolina would stay there. Eventually, the house burned and today Memorial Auditorium stands on the former mansion site.
- While visiting Raleigh or Durham it would almost be sinful not to indulge in what North Carolina is famous for Barbecue! There are two kinds of barbecue in North Carolina Eastern and Western. Both are good but western uses a red tomato based sauce, eastern uses a distinctive vinegar based sauce. Tomato based barbecue can be found in any other state, while eastern barbecue is a true North Carolina creation.
- Okay, sports fans ... if you love basketball, you'll love the Triangle. Being home to North Carolina State University, Duke, and the University of North Carolina, Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill can really stir up some excitement when it comes to ACC Basketball. If you can get a ticket to a Duke game be sure to go season tickets have been sold out since the early 80's.
- The combination of government, three major universities and Research Triangle Park in the Raleigh-Durham area has made it the intellectual capital of the state. The cultural offerings are varied with the museums and symphony in Raleigh and the Museum of Life and Science in Durham.
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