Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh was chosen as the site of the new capital in 1788, as its central location protected it from attacks from the coast. It was officially established in 1792 as both county seat and state capital (incorporated on December 31, 1792 – charter granted January 21, 1795). The city was named for Sir Walter Raleigh, sponsor of Roanoke, the "lost colony" on Roanoke Island.
Nashville, North Carolina
Nashville is a city in Nash County, North Carolina, United States. The town was founded in 1780 and features a rare collection of Victorian and Queen Anne style homes. It is part of the Rocky Mount, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. The estimated population of Nashville was 5,460 in 2015. It is the county seat of Nash County. Like Nashville, Tennessee, the town and its county were named for Francis Nash, an officer of the North Carolina militia who died in the American Revolutionary War. The city sits in East Central region of North Carolina, between the Research Triangle and the Coastal Plain. The city is about 35 minutes east of Raleigh.