Eastern North Carolina: When Did it all Begin?

Did you know that Blackbeard’s treasure is rumored to rest on the ocean floor right off our Crystal Coast? Eastern North Carolina didn’t appear out of nowhere; it was born from a rich history of farmers, Native American tribes, and English settlers. Starting small and sweet, ENC experienced major growth when Camp Lejeune Marine Corps. Base came to the area. ENC is rich in tales of the past and even folklore, and together the towns and cities that make up this glorious part of the state tell a story that dates back centuries with the English settlers, and even before that, with Native Americans.

Around 1713, the Tuscarora wars ended in the removal of the Native Americans and the beginning of Jacksonville, North Carolina. The New River was an opportunity for early settlers to find ways to make a living, mainly through turpentine production. Still standing, the oldest antebellum home, the Pelletier House, serves as a museum that offers field trips and group tour opportunities for people to learn about Jacksonville’s past, and the surrounding areas as well.

Located between Jacksonville and Wilmington, Sneads Ferry, NC takes pride in their historical fishing town. Sitting on the New River Inlet that spills into the ocean, “The Ferry” is known for being a lucrative and enjoyable area to fish, live, and bump elbows with the friendly locals. Named for Robert Snead, an attorney who called the area home in 1791, he found troubles in a political argument turned bad, and although he was tried and convicted for the murder, he was pardoned by the governor and continued to lead a free life. The people of Sneads Ferry pride themselves on the eclectic feel of the area, and the old that meets new, and they invite visitors from all over Eastern North Carolina to visit the place they call home that rests close to our area beaches.

Topsail Beach, which takes up a good portion of the twenty-six-mile-long Topsail Island, came about in 1963. Surrounded by tales of pirates, Topsail Beach was only accessible by boat until a few decades ago, and it consisted of very few huts and fishing shelters. The onset of World War II invited the Army to use the island as a training base. They formed a road and a floating bridge where the current bridge still stands. After the war, the Navy came to town and took over, and Camp Lejeune created continuous and rapid growth.

As with all surrounding towns, the early 1940’s invited Camp Lejeune Marine Corps. Base to the area, and the hustle and bustle hasn’t slowed down since. Named after Major General John A. Lejeune, the military installation is 156,000 acres and includes eleven miles of beach. Generating close to three billion dollars in payroll and contract commerce a year, CLNC is great for our local economy. There are nearly 150,000 people with connections to the base including active-duty military members, dependents, retirees, and civilian employees, and after their military contracts expire, many of them decide to remain and call this charming area home. Some remain in cities like Jacksonville, but others prefer a quieter, country life.

When King George III offered a 2080-acre land grant to a man named Thomas Lee from Virginia in 1713, Cedar Point joined the Carteret County area of North Carolina. Cedar Point’s birth reaches back to the 1700’s. Edward Hill completed the building of the Octagon House, which still stands today, in 1859. Due to the beautiful Bogue Sound, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, and the White Oak River which offer views, fishing, and land to farm, Cedar Point now has a population of just under 2000, and although it is considered a small town, it is a hop, skip, and a jump from the larger Historical Swansboro.

Many are not aware that Swansboro, NC was named after a man, Samuel Swann, who was a speaker in the North Carolina House of Commons. Originally called Swannsborough, the waterfront town was home to the Algonkian Native Americans. The well-known shipbuilder, Captain Otway Burns, was famous for his command of the Snapdragon and building of the first steamboat in NC, the Prometheus. Although shipbuilding had declined in Swansboro, World War II invited Camp Lejeune to the area which helped the economy. Now, Swansboro thrives because of its commercial fishing industry, tourism, and its delightful downtown as it adds flare to our local area.

Not only does Eastern North Carolina have the most magnificent landscape, country, and beaches, but it holds historical significance that is an important part of the United States. People from all over have come and continue to arrive at the Crystal Coast, creating a diverse and exceptionally interesting place to call home. Native Americans, military heroes, fishers, and even pirates have taken in the views of our most marvelous beaches and countryside with their own eyes. Eastern North Carolina continues to grow and contribute to our future’s yesteryear as we learn from our past and strive to create a peaceful, loving place for our future generations.

‍