Donnaha, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Donnaha is a small unincorporated community along the Yadkin River
in the Old Richmond Township
of northwest Forsyth County, North Carolina
.
village. The name Donnaha was first used in 1889 or 1890 by Dr. Samuel Martin, a descendent of a supposed Cherokee chief, who lived in nearby Winston-Salem, North Carolina
. Near Donnaha was the site of the first county seat of Surry County, North Carolina
, established at Richmond (now Old Richmond), in 1774 and a courthouse was erected by 1779 . However, Stokes County
(including modern Forsyth County), was split from Surry County in 1789 and the site was unusable for either county. The respective courts were moved to Rockford
for Surry and to Germanton
for Stokes. Much later, the courthouse site was destroyed by a cyclone in 1830 . Donnaha was a stop on the former Southern Railway, now used by the Yadkin Valley Railroad.
Yadkin River
The Yadkin River is one of the longest rivers in North Carolina, flowing . It rises in the northwestern portion of the state near the Blue Ridge Parkway's Thunder Hill Overlook. Several parts of the river are impounded by dams for water, power, and flood control. The river becomes the Pee Dee...
in the Old Richmond Township
Old Richmond Township, Forsyth County, North Carolina
Old Richmond Township is one of fourteen townships in Forsyth County, North Carolina, USA. The township had a population of 5,165 according to the 2000 census....
of northwest Forsyth County, North Carolina
Forsyth County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 306,067 people, 123,851 households, and 81,741 families residing in the county. The population density was 747 people per square mile . There were 133,093 housing units at an average density of 325 per square mile...
.
History
Donnaha (sometimes spelled Donnoha) is a Native AmericanNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
village. The name Donnaha was first used in 1889 or 1890 by Dr. Samuel Martin, a descendent of a supposed Cherokee chief, who lived in nearby Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina, with a 2010 population of 229,617. Winston-Salem is the county seat and largest city of Forsyth County and the fourth-largest city in the state. Winston-Salem is the second largest municipality in the Piedmont Triad region and is home to...
. Near Donnaha was the site of the first county seat of Surry County, North Carolina
Surry County, North Carolina
Surry County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2010, the population was 73,673. Its county seat is Dobson.- History :The county was formed in 1771 from Rowan County...
, established at Richmond (now Old Richmond), in 1774 and a courthouse was erected by 1779 . However, Stokes County
Stokes County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 44,711 people, 17,579 households, and 13,043 families residing in the county. The population density was 99 people per square mile . There were 19,262 housing units at an average density of 43 per square mile...
(including modern Forsyth County), was split from Surry County in 1789 and the site was unusable for either county. The respective courts were moved to Rockford
Rockford, North Carolina
-Geography:Rockford is situated along the Yadkin River in the Rockford Township of southern Surry County. Rockford sits along the former Southern Railway, now used by the Yadkin Valley Railroad, which follows the Yadkin River through Surry County.-History:...
for Surry and to Germanton
Germanton, North Carolina
Germanton is a small community in Forsyth and Stokes counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina, primarily in Stokes County. It is located approximately ten miles south-southwest of the Stokes County seat of Danbury, on North Carolina State Highways 8 and 65 at an altitude of 662 feet...
for Stokes. Much later, the courthouse site was destroyed by a cyclone in 1830 . Donnaha was a stop on the former Southern Railway, now used by the Yadkin Valley Railroad.