Artifacts, Architecture and Atmosphere Bring Elizabeth City History to Life
History-lovers, take note: Elizabeth City is rich in artifacts, architecture and atmosphere.
The area's English heritage dates back more than 300 years. After England's 1587 "lost colony" vanished from Roanoke Island with hardly a trace, 75 years passed before another serious attempt was made to colonize northeastern North Carolina. With a focus on settling the area north of the Albemarle Sound, King Charles II, in 1663, granted a royal charter to eight prominent businessmen and supporters. Called the Lords Proprietors of Carolina, they laid the foundation for what was then Albemarle County, dividing the land into four precincts: Chowan, Currituck, Perquimans and Pasquotank.
Today, these precincts are now counties, with Elizabeth City in Pasquotank County situated in the center of the Albemarle region. Located on the Pasquotank River, Elizabeth City was founded in 1793 and once bustled with activity as ships, steamers and boats disembarked from the waterfront to transport goods and people throughout the South. That same year, construction began on the Dismal Swamp Canal, providing an important commercial trade route linking Virginia with relatively isolated northeastern North Carolina.
Located on the Pasquotank River, Elizabeth City was founded in 1793 and once bustled with activity as ships, steamers and boats disembarked from the waterfront to transport goods and people throughout the South. That same year, construction began on the Dismal Swamp Canal, providing an important commercial trade route linking Virginia with relatively isolated Northeastern North Carolina.
As the years rolled by, Elizabeth City experienced its share of history-making events. Wilbur and Orville Wright stayed over in Elizabeth City in 1903 while they made plans for the first powered flight at nearby Kill Devil Hills. The James Adams Floating Theatre, the inspiration for author Edna Ferber's book Show Boat, made frequent stops in Elizabeth City in the 1920s and ‘30s. The country's largest U.S. Coast Guard base was commissioned in Elizabeth City in 1940. And in 1942, from an air station in neighboring Weeksville, the U.S. Navy began launching airships, or blimps, that were instrumental in combating enemy submarines that lurked off the North Carolina Coast during World War II.
Today, Elizabeth City offers visitors a step back in time with its old-fashioned Main Street, scenic waterfront and sites and tours that bring history to life.
Located on a prominent site on Water Street is the Museum of the Albemarle. The northeastern regional branch of the North Carolina Museum of History, the museum interprets the history of 13 counties along the Albemarle Sound area, considered by many to be the birthplace of English America.
A thoughtful, permanent exhibition, Our Story showcases more than 750 artifacts and displays that tell the story of the region's watermen, farm life, the Civil War, the Wright brothers and the Coast Guard, as well as the region's rich African American and Native American history.
In a walk through the gallery, you'll discover such finds as the cannon recovered from the ship purported to be Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge; the smokestack from the C.S.S. Albemarle; a miniature replica of the James Adams Floating Theatre; a horse-drawn "steam pumper" fire engine; and a 1954 Moth Boat, a small sail boat that was developed in Elizabeth City. Visitors can walk into the Jackson House, a 1755 farmhouse that spanned both the Colonial and Federal time periods. The farmhouse and nearby ca. 1840 smokehouse are original structures from the area.
You'll experience even more history by taking a walk around town. There are six historic districts in Elizabeth City, and therefore, many opportunities for seeing historic homes, tree-lined streets and stately government structures.
At the Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, pick up a copy of the new "Elizabeth City Historic Walking Tour" guide—and get started. 3 Published by the Elizabeth City Historic Neighborhood Association (ECHNA), the first of a series of booklets focuses on sites along the historic Main Street commercial district, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Stop by the Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and pick up any, or all, of the “Elizabeth City Historic Walking Tour” guides and start exploring. Published by the Elizabeth City Historic Neighborhood Association, the series of six self-guided tours cover practically every corner of the city, from Main Street to Riverside. With a corresponding map, photos and site descriptions, you can take in the city’s historic homes, tree-lined streets and stately government structures.
For an escorted tour with a knowledgeable guide, consider signing on with De' Tours. On this guided walking tour of the Downtown Historic District, you'll learn about the history of the beautiful antebellum homes and buildings, followed by a traditional afternoon tea in the elegant private parlor of the Hattie Harvey House.
To see sites associated with the Civil War, pick up a copy of the free Civil War trails brochure at the Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau or download a printout version at www.DiscoverElizabethCity.com. Located within walking distance of the city's historic downtown waterfront, the markers depict events that took place in Elizabeth City between 18621863. There are six markers that collectively weave together a relatively unknown chapter of Union occupation in Elizabeth City through real life accounts of arson, ambush, guerrilla warfare and family tragedy.
To see sites associated with the Civil War, inquire at the Visitors Center for the free "Elizabeth City Civil War Trails" brochure, or download a printout version at VisitElizabethCity.com. Located within walking distance of the city's historic downtown waterfront, the markers depict events that took place in Elizabeth City between 1862 and 1863. There are six markers that collectively weave together a relatively unknown chapter of Union occupation in Elizabeth City through real-life accounts of arson, ambush, guerrilla warfare and family tragedy.
For travel information and suggested itineraries, call the Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-866-ECity-4U (1-866-324-8948) or (252) 335-5330 or go to www.VisitElizabethCity.com.
Sidebar: Elizabeth City and the Underground Railroad
During the 1800s, African American freedom seekers used the Pasquotank River to escape slavery. Some stowed away on the ships, steamers and boats that traveled through, while others were hired by boat owners and gained transportation to points north, where they sought independence as workmen. On reaching Elizabeth City, a number of slaves sought refuge in the Dismal Swamp before continuing on the journey. Some even made a home in the wilderness, living off the land and bartering with local farmers for food and supplies.
"Waterways and natural land features acted as both ‘abolitionist' and ‘conductor' for enslaved African Americans," said Barbara Tagger, a National Park Service historian. "It was like a map. If they knew how the waterways progressed, they would follow them north, and in some cases south to freedom."
In 2007, the National Park Service unveiled markers recognizing the Pasquotank River and the Elizabeth City State University Great Dismal Swamp Boardwalk Project as part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. A third Elizabeth City area site, the Dismal Swamp State Park was designated prior, in 2003.
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