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4 AREA HISTORY
2019
Explore the intriguing and fascinating history of eastern North Carolina.
Craven County—www.cravencounty.com Craven County was named in honor of William, Earl of Craven, who lived from 1606–1697. The coat-of-arms of the Earl and his nephew, Lord William Craven, who succeeded him as Lord Proprietor of Carolina, was adopted as Craven County’s official seal in 1981. The motto, “Virtus in Actione Consistit” translates to “Virtue Consists in Action”.
Jones County—www.jonescountync.gov
The southeastern county was named in 1779 after Willie Jones. A strong Anti-Federalist, Jones was considered one of the most influential leaders in North Carolina’s opposition to ratification of the United States Constitution. In 1789, a year after the constitution became binding and the Bill of Rights was formed, the state agreed to ratify.
Jones County has always been known as a strong agricultural presence and in 1886, a man named Jonathan Haven described the soil as fruitful. He said, “Tickle it with a plow and it will laugh with a harvest”. Farm commodities include tobacco, livestock, sweet potatoes, soybeans, wheat, corn, barley, Irish potatoes, and strawberries.
Pamlico County—www.pamlicocounty.org When Europeans came to settle the area in the
early 1700s, the Pampticoe Native American Indian inhabitants had called the land “TaTaku”, which means “where the land and sea meet the sky”. Settlement was initially slow as the county is on an isolated peninsula. Today it is a thriving community.
Arapahoe
NC History Center, and the beautiful ocean coast and forest.
Historic Downtown
www.downtownnewbern.com
Comfortably stationed between two rivers, Greater Downtown New Bern offers a variety of attractions, including the Birthplace of Pepsi, historic Tryon Palace, as well as dining, shopping, museums, concerts, and parks. The current economic success of the area has come about in large part by the hand of Swiss Bear, Inc., a community-based organization established in 1979 with a dedication to conservation and revitalization. MumFest, a three-day festival, is an event hosted by Swiss Bear, Inc., each year. Held annually during the second weekend of October, it is attended by more than 100,000 visitors.
Pollocksville—www.townofpollocksville.com Aboard their ship and headed to the New World, the first colonists to arrive in Pollocksville were attacked and raided by pirates. Arriving on land, they were without food and supplies. The Native American Tuscarora Indians were friendly and saved them from death by offering food and clothing. Eventually the building of the Atlantic Coast line, along with the Norfolk and Southern railroads in the late 1800s brought an increase in land value and made logging a popular industry. Almost anything grows in the fertile soil and wildlife is abundant in this charming town.
Trenton—townoftrenton.com
During colonial days, the Trent River was a main form of transportation for people, crops, and supplies. Steamboats would regularly pass through Trenton with the precious cargo. In 1784, Trenton was established as the county seat for Jones County. In 1880, Trenton had two saloons operated by W. H. Cox and C. C. Green and two hotels operated by Mrs. M. E. Pritchard and Joseph A. Smith.
Vanceboro—www.vanceboronc.com
Starting with ten families around the year 1750, this small village bore the name Durgantown. Around 1800, the first public building, the Post Oak Meeting House, was used as a church. The years surrounding 1850 brought growth, while the village’s name changed to Swift Creek. A man named Zebulon B. Vance arrived around 1876, just in time to give a campaign speech for Governor. This won him the election and in 1877 the village was renamed Vanceboro in his honor.
In 1886, Bob Hardison and his friend Bob Bowden decided to apply for a Post Office to be located at “Bethany Crossroads.” They filled out an application and when it was returned it was addressed to “Bob’s Town,” because there was already a “Bethany Crossroads” in the vicinity. Neither of the Bobs liked that name, so they named it after Hardison’s old white horse, Arapahoe.
Havelock—www.havelocknc.us
Havelock is one of eight cities in the world named after Sir Henry Havelock, a devout Christian and military genius. The area welcomed plantation sites as early
as 1707, and was home to woodsmen, fisherman, and farmers, with the main form of income being turpentine distilleries, and tar kins. In the year 1858, tracks came through the city from the Atlantic and North Carolina railroad bringing greater prosperity. Today, Havelock has a small town feeling with it’s beautiful rivers and forests.
New Bern—www.newbern-nc.org
New Bern is the second-oldest town in North Carolina and was the capital of the North Carolina colonial government. Given its growing political prestige and detailed architecture, New Bern became known as “the Athens of the South”. Some of the most prominent landmarks include the Athens Theater, the Masonic Temple, and the City Hall. A rich history envelops New Bern, with many interesting stories. A visit to the old town is sure to bring a rewarding experience, with attractions such as Tryon Palace, Firemen’s Museum,
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AREA HISTORY
Governor Zebulon B. Vance
William, Earl of Craven