Rolesville, the second oldest town in Wake County, is located northeast of Raleigh (approx. 12 miles) at the intersection of U.S.Highway 401 North and Rolesville Road. The town was named for an early prominent citizen, William (Billy) Roles, and was originally incorporated in 1837. Roles was a landowner, merchant (his store was located on the lot that is now the present Meeting Hall and Chamber Office), cotton broker and cotton gin owner, postmaster, deacon and trustee of the Baptist Church. In 1832 he also founded the first local school, the Rolesville Academy. Mr. Roles’ house resided on the lot that is now the present Mayor’s home [pictured, 205 South Main Street]. Roles’ first wife was buried on that lot and remains moved in 1940 when the present Mayor’s house was built by Bill and Lessie Roberts.

The early town limits were marked by four cornerstones and enclosed by fencing. Three of these cornerstones remain. Gates were set across each of the four sections of roads. Stagecoaches frequently traveled through the intersection on the northern-southern route from Richmond to Fayetteville. "Roles Half-Way House" in the area was a stage stop and "Roger's Tavern" provided rest, refreshments and a change of horses. Both of these structures have long since disappeared. Early travelers included French General and Revolutionary hero, the Marquis de Lafayette, his son George Washington Lafayette and his secretary, Le Vasseur, as they traveled to Raleigh, the state capitol, for a celebration on March 2 and 3, 1825.

Rolesville was incorporated for the second time on February 28, 1941 and the N. C. General Assembly extended the boundaries on March 14, 1945. Since 1903, town officials included a Mayor, Clerk, Treasurer, Tax Collector and a two member Board of Alderman. The 1941 incorporation changed the officials to a Mayor, Clerk and a five member Board of Commissioners. . Present administrative staff includes Town Manager, Town Clerk, Accounting Technician, Planning Director, Assistant Planning Director, Recreation Director and Athletic Director.

Parts of the original downtown area were destroyed by fire in 1913. The area was reconstructed and some of the current businesses operating in the same downtown area include a beauty salon, Rolesville Buzz offices, flea market, furniture store, insurance agency and antique store.

As early as 1961, gradual progress made such municipal services as city water and garbage collection possible. Postal service was established in 1944. A traffic light installed in 1967 at the intersection of Highway 401 and Rolesville Road. Construction was started on the sewer system in the fall of 1992 and completed in 1994. The City of Raleigh took over the water and sewer utilities in the Town of Rolesville on January 1, 2002.

A Police Department was added in 1941, with only a Chief of Police position. In 1975, an assistant or deputy was added to the force. Presently, the Town’s Police Dept. has a Chief, Lieutenant, two sergeants and ten full time officers. These along with several auxiliary officers to provide excellent around the clock police service.

Rolesville’s parks and recreation services at one time were provided by a volunteer commission with members from the town and local community. Presently, the Town of Rolesville Parks & Recreation Department administers and provides all recreational services. The volunteer commission is now divided into two advisory boards. The Greater Rolesville Athletic Committee advises in all athletic issues and still volunteers with the programs and the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board advises in all open space and greenway plans. Through partial town funding, grants and fundraisers, services include children and adult athletic programs, art programs and park development. An annual Recreation Day held in April of each year is a major fundraiser. The Town Park is located behind and shared with the Rolesville Elementary School. The joint venture has produced a picnic shelter, two ball fields, a concession stand, and a running track on the 10-acre tract of land. The Town of Rolesville purchased 35.9 acres in November 2002 for development as a new town park located on South Main Street. Phase I of the Main St. Park was officially opened on September 15th of 2005. Building of the Phase II of the Main St. Park is underway. This passive park will include a longer walking trail that encompasses the entire park perimeter. A parking area of off Scarboro Street will be graded. This will be the parking lot for the future Community Center which is in the planning stages.

The Rolesville Rural Fire Department was organized in 1958 with 28 volunteers and is funded by county tax percentage and donations. It is made up of fulltime and volunteer firemen. The Rolesville Emergency Medical Service was formed in 1995 and now has merged with East Wake EMS.

There are several medical offices located throughout the various commercial complexes which include medical Drs., Dentists and Optometrists. A veterinary practice is also located in Rolesville.

A new elementary school building was constructed in July 1991 on the site of the original 12 grade facility. The new school, located on Highway 401(the town’s Main Street), has received several awards of excellence. The newest elementary school is Sandford Creek Elementary located on Granite Falls Blvd. A new Rolesville Middle School has been approved and will be located on Burlington Mills Rd.

As the town grows, industry and commercial growth continues. The Redford Place Shopping Center was built in 1992. This shopping center has Food Lion, hair salon, Chinese, Sun Trust Bank, and café. Several national franchise restaurants; Hardee’s, Subway, Sonic and McDonald’s have chosen to locate in Rolesville. South Town Circle now has nails, hair, pizza, Andy’s, Daylight Donuts, Ship on Site, video store, cellular store and Mexican grocery. The State Employees Credit Union is moving from this center to their own building on Rogers Rd. The Post Office is moving to the Granite Ridge Commercial center on Rogers Rd. This center now houses or will house nails, 2 pizza places, dry cleaners, dentist and a CPA office.

In 1991, the Rolesville businesses joined together to form a non-profit Rolesville Business Association. This group helps promote commercial and civic interest throughout the Rolesville area, and its 52 members currently have re-organized as Rolesville Chamber of Commerce. The present chamber has over 200 members.

There are several residential subdivisions in Rolesville. Olde Towne Subdivision, Brandiwood Subdivision and Wall Creek Subdivision, Al's Acres and Watkins Farm subdivisions are built out. Villages of Rolesville, Granite Falls, Granite Ridge, Granite Ridge Townhomes, Averette Ridge, Averette Farms, Drayton Reserve, Bristol Park, Cedar Lakes, Granite Crest, Hampton Point, Terrell Plantation and Carlton Point are in progress of being built or almost built out. More Commercial and Office properties are in the planning. Such things as a Dialysis Center and other professional offices are being built. A new Town Hall with meeting area should open by August 2008 in South Town Circle. Land has been acquired to build a Town Complex with entrance of off South Main Street. This property adjoins the Main Street Park. This Complex will include all Town Offices and a Library.

Due to its close proximity to Raleigh, Rolesville expects to expand its’ residential, commercial and industrial sectors. In anticipation of that growth, the Town staff, in cooperation with the town’s citizens and elected officials, has prepared a comprehensive land use plan and thoroughfare plan to guide the growth so as to preserve Rolesville’s rural charm.

US 401 By-pass has been funded and will be built in the near future. It will be limited access highway that will by-pass the main town area to the east. Further growth is expected along and east of the by-pass.