9 Towns in North Carolina That Transport You to the Past
With its varied landscapes, captivating coastlines, and towering mountains, North Carolina is a true paradise for those who enjoy the outdoors. Equally as diverting as its natural beauty is the history of its people within its charming small towns. Bath, for instance, North Carolina's oldest town, was home to Blackbeard, one of the most infamous pirates ever. Traveling to the beautiful town of Beaufort provides more insight into his life. From pirates to politics, Penelope Barker made history for her efforts in forming the Edenton Tea Party, America's first women's political protest. Bath, Beaufort, and Edenton aren't the only towns thriving with a rich history. Relive the Revolutionary War days in Hillsborough, discover the formation of the Great Smoky Mountains in Bryson City, and marvel at a historic courthouse in Sylva. The next time you are in North Carolina, visit these towns to be transported into the past.
Bath
Travel into the past by exploring North Carolina's first incorporated town. Located on the Pamlico River, Bath is where the English pirate Blackbeard lived briefly. As a result, a display honoring Blackbeard and his men, many of whom may have lived in Bath, is located in the Bath State Historic Site. There is also a Blackbeard exhibit at the historic Van der Veer House.
After touring the locations, stop by Main Street's Blackbeard's Tavern to dine. Other historic houses in Bath include the Palmer-Marsh House, one of North Carolina's most significant 18th-century residences, and the Bonner House, one of the best remaining examples of early 19th-century Carolina architecture. To fully experience Bath, take an afternoon ferry to explore Ocracoke Island and return to stay at The Inn on Bath Creek.
Edenton
Edenton, the second-oldest town in the state, has a history spanning the 18th and 19th centuries. It not only served as North Carolina's first colonial capital, but before emancipation, Edenton was North Carolina's second-largest port, which allowed enslaved people to escape through the Maritime Underground Railroad. Today, visitors can tour the site located within Colonial Waterfront Park.
Edenton also has historic structures and homes like the Penelope Barker House. The former home of Penelope Barker, a devoted supporter of the American Revolution who led the Edenton Tea Party, the country's first known women's political protest, is now a museum that offers insight into Barker's life and Edenton's development. Edenton's history also lies within the restored Roanoke River Lighthouse, constructed in 1886. A proud feature of Edenton's harbor, the lighthouse provides a thorough look into life from the perspective of a lightkeeper.
Beaufort
Beaufort is a charming seaside town situated on Beaufort Inlet, a canal that leads south to the Atlantic Ocean. As the third oldest town in North Carolina, much of Beaufort's history is reflected in the homes and public structures constructed by its merchants. To understand life in its early days, visit the two-acre Beaufort Historic Site.
Step inside the oldest home in the area, which now houses the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery, then stroll through a cottage built in 1778 to see colonial artifacts on display and the local courthouse from 1796. Also in Beaufort, the North Carolina Maritime Museum houses artifacts from the wreckage of Queen Anne's Revenge, an early-18th-century ship used by Blackbeard.
Banner Elk
Banner Elk, a beautiful town in northwest North Carolina, has many historic structures and landmarks that take visitors into its past. A self-guided walking tour of its downtown area explores most of Banner Elk's history. Begin at the Banner House Museum, one of the earliest houses in Banner Elk, built by Samuel Banner, one of the town's founders, in 1870. The house was furnished with heirlooms and antiques to illustrate Banner Elk's life from the 1870s to the 1900s. It also has a room with many displays covering the area's history. The museum also offers hands-on experiences for children to get a dose of pioneer life.
The downtown area is also home to BJ's Resort Wear, a boutique that opened in 1978. The building where the store is housed dates back to 1920 when it was once a general store, which later became a restaurant many locals and visitors frequented.
Hillsborough
Hillsborough's involvement during the Colonial, Revolutionary War, Antebellum, and Civil War eras is evident in its preserved buildings, sites, and landscapes. Visitors who want to learn more about those historical periods and iconic structures should visit Hillsborough's downtown historic district. One stop should be the Hillsborough Visitors Center, an excellent place for resources on where to eat, shop, and explore in the area. It also offers a look into Hillsborough's intriguing past.
Every year, events like Revolutionary War Living History Day celebrate the history of the American Revolution. In addition to guided tours of downtown and experiencing Revolutionary War reenactments, visitors to Hillsborough should explore the Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area.
Boone
Boone, situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, is renowned for its pioneers, who were frequently solitary and independent and mapped and colonized the region. Daniel Boone is one of them. To learn more about Daniel and life back then, Boone residents have produced Horn in the West, an outdoor Revolutionary War drama that tells the tale of early settlers every summer since 1952. The Hickory Ridge History Museum is also a great place to see the past, as it offers programs and displays focusing on the Colonial era.
Additionally, the town hosts an annual Daniel Boone Days, which pays homage to Daniel and has educational symposiums, music, and living history. The community also pays tribute to Daniel with a beautiful statue of him on the campus of Appalachian State University and a bronze plaque placed on the pavement outside the county courthouse.
Bryson City
Bryson City is a small town in Swain County that is well-known for its gorgeous mountain views, hiking trails, and tumbling waterfalls. Tourists can see the town's scenic features, including Fontana Lake, Nantahala National Forest, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, by taking a magnificent train ride on the historic Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.
In addition to its striking landscape, Bryson City gives a glimpse into the region's history at the Swain County Visitor Center and Heritage Museum, located in the historic courthouse building in downtown Bryson City. It's a great place to learn about the lives of early settlers through pictures, exhibits, and videos, as well as the construction of the Fontana Dam.
Sylva
Nestled within the Nantahala National Forest, Sylva is a mountain town located beneath the slopes of the Balsam Mountains and the nearby Great Smoky Mountains. Its breathtaking scenery isn't the only thing to love about Sylva. The town is known for its rich history. The Jackson County Courthouse, for example, opened in 1914 and remains intact today. Its structural features include stone blocks and towering ionic Greek columns with a beautiful bronze statue of Lady Justice surrounding the courthouse.
The Coffee Shop, a cozy old-fashioned diner open since 1926, is an ideal stop before planning a trip to the nearby Appalachian Women's Museum. Book a room at the Whistle Stop Inn, a historic 1878 farmhouse, for a comfortable and convenient stay.
Highlands
While Highlands, situated on a plateau in the southern Appalachian Mountains within the Nantahala National Forest, is an excellent town for outdoor activities, it also has some impressive historic landmarks and sites. The Highlands Historic Museum, maintained by the Highlands Historical Society, is a must-see attraction. Open seasonally, it has many exhibits that provide a glimpse into what life was like in the town over the past century.
Additionally, visitors can enter the Prince House, the oldest remaining house in the town, constructed in 1877. The house, which was expanded and turned into a commercial boarding house in 1935, still has the 1930s architectural features. The Central House, built in July 1878, was another historic boarding house. It has been transformed into Old Edwards Inn and Spa, a luxurious place to stay with many restaurants, a lounge, a wine garden, and a full-service spa.
Discover These Historic Towns in North Carolina
These lovely North Carolina communities surround notable outdoor landmarks like Fontana Lake, Nantahala National Forest, Blue Ridge Mountains, and Great Smoky Mountains. However, outside of its striking natural features, there are centuries of history and legends of those who once lived there. From Blackbeard's time in Bath to Penelope Barker's making an impact in Edenton to Daniel Boone's settlement in Boone, North Carolinians are fortunate to live in many historic towns that transport them to the past.
