Edenton is a charming historic town located on the north shore of Albemarle Sound in Chowan County, North Carolina. Founded in 1712, Edenton has the distinction of being the second oldest town in the state. Only the town of Bath is older. The town went by many names during the early years of its history. Prior to the name Edenton being settled on it was known also as "The Towne on Queen Anne's Creek", "Ye Towne on Mattercommack Creek", and "the Port of Roanoke". The town figured prominently in the state's early history. Edenton quickly grew into a busy and increasingly wealthy port town. In 1722 it was designated the capitol of the colony and it remained so for the next 21 years. By the time the American Revolution came around Edenton early on demonstrated its desire to break from the British Crown. In 1774 an event known as the 'Edenton Tea Party' took place in which 51 women of the town signed a pact refusing to drink British tea or purchase other British products. It was one of the earliest acts of economic rebellion to take place in the colonies. The town was also home to an original signer of the Declaration of Independence, Joseph Hewes, who was also instrumental in the formation of the U.S. Navy.

By the time the 19th Century dawned Edenton's early growth had slowed. Shipping had slowly begun to gravitate to the north and the port of Norfolk, Virginia. As with many other coastal southern towns, though, the Civil War brought national conflict to the doorstep of Edenton. Staunchly southern in its sympathies, the community aided in the Confederate war effort, even melting down church bells to cast cannon from. Thankfully the town never saw a true battle but the Union blockade during the war affected the town greatly. After the Civil War Edenton slowly fell back into its previous sleepy state and the local economy shifted from shipping to industry in the form of numerous mills. As the 20th Century dawned increased interest in the history of the town began to take place and efforts were begun to protect some of Edentons historic buildings. By the 1970's much of the historic district of the town had been designated a National Historic Landmark and by the end of the 1900's many of the old buildings had fallen under the protection of the North Carolina Historic Site system.

Today Edenton remains a small community, only being home to around 5,000 people as of the 2010 Census. The historic district of the town is focused on and within a few block of the waterfront. A pleasant walking tour will take you to most major sites that have been preserved in the town. This album traces just such a tour, hitting the primary sites protected as a North Carolina Historic Site. As you'll see Edenton is a wonderfully preserved colonial-era town and is certainly worthy of a stop if you're ever in its corner of North Carolina.

Come along with me, then, as I take a quick walk around Historic Edenton...

5-6-2017

Historic Edenton State Historic Site (NC)

Historic Edenton Historic Site Visitor Center (Ziegler House -- ca. 1892)
My historic tour would begin here, at the State Historic Site Visitor Center on Broad Street. Though small, it is home to a decent amount of info on the history of the town and is a good place to get oriented before heading out...
Penelope Barker House (ca. 1782)
Built by Penelope and Thomas Barker, this old home originally stood two blocks north of its original location. Penelope Barker was an early and ardent advocate for colonial independence, organizing a petition known as the 'Edenton Tea Party' in 1774. The home was expanded and enlarged by subsequent owners but now serves as a small museum and visitor center for the historic district of Edenton...
Penelope Barker House (ca. 1782)
Built by Penelope and Thomas Barker, this old home originally stood two blocks north of its original location. Penelope Barker was an early and ardent advocate for colonial independence, organizing a petition known as the 'Edenton Tea Party' in 1774. The home was expanded and enlarged by subsequent owners but now serves as a small museum and visitor center for the historic district of Edenton...
Penelope Barker House (ca. 1782) -- Interior
Built by Penelope and Thomas Barker, this old home originally stood two blocks north of its original location. Penelope Barker was an early and ardent advocate for colonial independence, organizing a petition known as the 'Edenton Tea Party' in 1774. The home was expanded and enlarged by subsequent owners but now serves as a small museum and visitor center for the historic district of Edenton...
Penelope Barker House (ca. 1782)
Built by Penelope and Thomas Barker, this old home originally stood two blocks north of its original location. Penelope Barker was an early and ardent advocate for colonial independence, organizing a petition known as the 'Edenton Tea Party' in 1774. The home was expanded and enlarged by subsequent owners but now serves as a small museum and visitor center for the historic district of Edenton...
1778 Cannons
These three cannon, located on East Water Street, were part of a large purchase of cannon (45 in number) from Spain during the Revolutionary War. The cannon arrived in Edenton in 1778. The guns are all 18-pounders and have stood guard over the waterfront of Edenton for most of their history...
Joseph Hewes Memorial
Born in 1739 in New Jersey, Joseph Hewes moved to Edenton in 1760 and begun a thriving business as a merchant in town. Hewes began his political career in 1763 being elected to the NC Legislature and later was picked to be one of three representatives of the state to the Continental Congress. Hewes is an original signer of the Declaration of Independence and was instrumental in the creation of what would become the U.S. Navy...
Joseph Hewes Memorial
Born in 1739 in New Jersey, Joseph Hewes moved to Edenton in 1760 and begun a thriving business as a merchant in town. Hewes began his political career in 1763 being elected to the NC Legislature and later was picked to be one of three representatives of the state to the Continental Congress. Hewes is an original signer of the Declaration of Independence and was instrumental in the creation of what would become the U.S. Navy...
Chowan County Jail (ca. 1825)
This structure represents the fifth county jail built in Edenton (the first being built in 1722 when the town was incorporated). It was generally used for short-term incarcerations. Most notably it once housed 19 slaves involved in a nearby uprising in Virginia in 1831. Surprisingly, all 19 were eventually released due to lack of evidence. The old jail remained in use until 1979 when a more modern facility was constructed...
Edenton Teapot (ca. 1905)
This small bronze sculpture is the creation of artist Frank Baldwin. It is a symbolic memorial to the event now known as the 'Edenton Tea Party.' On October 25th, 1774 fifty-one women of Edenton signed a petition sent to King George of Great Britain stating their resolve to no longer purchase cloth or tea from England. It stands as one of the earliest such 'independence-minded' documents sent to the king by the increasingly disgruntled colonies. The teapot sculpture stands along Colonial Street not far from the old Chowan County Courthouse...
Chowan County Courthouse (ca. 1767)
The old Chowan County Courthouse is the third such building built in Edenton, the first being built in 1718. The magnificent Georgian-style building is simultaneously the oldest public building in North Carolina as well as the state's oldest active courthouse...
Chowan County Courthouse (ca. 1767)
The old Chowan County Courthouse is the third such building built in Edenton, the first being built in 1718. The magnificent Georgian-style building is simultaneously the oldest public building in North Carolina as well as the state's oldest active courthouse...
Cupola House (ca. 1758)
The magnificent Cupola House was originally built by colonial land agent Francis Corbin. It stands just inland from Edenton Bay and is fronted by beautiful colonial-style gardens. The home was sold to Dr. Samuel Dickenson after Corbin's death in 1767 and Dickenson's family owned the building for a subsequent 141-years. By the early 20th Century, however, the home had fallen into serious disrepair and an local organization formed to preserve it. Today, it looks as it once did and is a magnificent example of early colonial architecture...
James Iredell House (ca. 1773)
This was built by James Iredell, Sr...one of this country's original Supreme Court Justices, appointed by President George Washington in 1790. Later his son, James Iredell, Jr, Governor of North Carolina, also lived here. The original 1773 home is on the right while the left side (with the covered porches) was added in 1810...
St. Paul's Episcopal Church (ca. 1736)
This historic structure is both the second oldest church in North Carolina as well as the states oldest still-operating church. It is the second Episcopal church built in Edenton, the first being built in 1702. The building was expanded and a steeple was added in the 1800's before, in 1949, a large fire destroyed much of said steeple, the roof, and the interior. Fortunately, much of the interior furnishings and floor of the church had been removed as the church was undergoing renovation at the time. So today the church stands proudly much as it has for the better part of 300 years...
St. Paul's Episcopal Church (ca. 1736)
This historic structure is both the second oldest church in North Carolina as well as the states oldest still-operating church. It is the second Episcopal church built in Edenton, the first being built in 1702. The building was expanded and a steeple was added in the 1800's before, in 1949, a large fire destroyed much of said steeple, the roof, and the interior. Fortunately, much of the interior furnishings and floor of the church had been removed as the church was undergoing renovation at the time. So today the church stands proudly much as it has for the better part of 300 years...
St. Anne Roman Catholic Church (ca. 1857)
The Catholic Church in Edenton was organized in 1821 but didn't have its own building to call home until this stately structure was built between 1858-1868. The tall steeple was added in 1897. Most recently restored in the 1980's the church remains the church home of Catholics in the Edenton area to this day...
St. Anne Roman Catholic Church (ca. 1857)
The Catholic Church in Edenton was organized in 1821 but didn't have its own building to call home until this stately structure was built between 1858-1868. The tall steeple was added in 1897. Most recently restored in the 1980's the church remains the church home of Catholics in the Edenton area to this day...
Josephine L. Leary Building (ca. 1894)
Born a slave in 1856, Josephine Leary moved to Edenton with her husband following the Civil War and set up shop as barbers. They did well for themselves and were soon buying real estate in downtown Edenton. Unfortunately, in 1893, fire swept through and destroyed all the property they had acquired. Undeterred, Josephine rebuilt this magnificent structure which she used as rental property. Due to medical expenses late in life she was eventually forced to sell the building but, as you can see, her pride and joy once again stands proud, though now used as commercial space, in downtown Edenton...
Roanoke River Lighthouse (ca. 1887)
In 1834 the U.S. Congress authorized a lightship to be stationed at the entrance to the Roanoke River in Albemarle Sound to help safely direct shipping headed to and from the busy nearby port of Plymouth. It was soon determined that a permanent lighthouse would be cheaper to maintain and, in 1857, approval was given to build it. Unfortunately, the Civil War delayed the construction of the light until 1867. This original screw-pile light was destroyed by fire in 1885, rebuilt the next year before almost immediately being destroyed again when ice flows caused the piles to collapse sending the whole structure toppling into the Sound. By 1887 the current lighthouse was erected and it managed to serve faithfully until 1941 when it was decommissioned. Soon after a local resident by the name of Elijah Tate purchased the old Roanoke River Light and two other decommissioned lights from the Coast Guard for the hefty sum of $10 a piece. Unfortunately two of the three collapsed and sunk when Tate attempted to move them. Fortunately he managed to move the Roanoke River Light without incident and it soon arrived at its current location on the waterfront in Edenton in 1955. Over the following years it was used as both a private residence and as rental housing but by the early 2000's it stood empty and in a serious state of disrepair. In 2009 though the State of North Carolina appropriated over $1 million to restore the old light and it was reopened in 2014 to the public...
Roanoke River Lighthouse (ca. 1887)
In 1834 the U.S. Congress authorized a lightship to be stationed at the entrance to the Roanoke River in Albemarle Sound to help safely direct shipping headed to and from the busy nearby port of Plymouth. It was soon determined that a permanent lighthouse would be cheaper to maintain and, in 1857, approval was given to build it. Unfortunately, the Civil War delayed the construction of the light until 1867. This original screw-pile light was destroyed by fire in 1885, rebuilt the next year before almost immediately being destroyed again when ice flows caused the piles to collapse sending the whole structure toppling into the Sound. By 1887 the current lighthouse was erected and it managed to serve faithfully until 1941 when it was decommissioned. Soon after a local resident by the name of Elijah Tate purchased the old Roanoke River Light and two other decommissioned lights from the Coast Guard for the hefty sum of $10 a piece. Unfortunately two of the three collapsed and sunk when Tate attempted to move them. Fortunately he managed to move the Roanoke River Light without incident and it soon arrived at its current location on the waterfront in Edenton in 1955. Over the following years it was used as both a private residence and as rental housing but by the early 2000's it stood empty and in a serious state of disrepair. In 2009 though the State of North Carolina appropriated over $1 million to restore the old light and it was reopened in 2014 to the public...
Roanoke River Lighthouse (ca. 1887)
In 1834 the U.S. Congress authorized a lightship to be stationed at the entrance to the Roanoke River in Albemarle Sound to help safely direct shipping headed to and from the busy nearby port of Plymouth. It was soon determined that a permanent lighthouse would be cheaper to maintain and, in 1857, approval was given to build it. Unfortunately, the Civil War delayed the construction of the light until 1867. This original screw-pile light was destroyed by fire in 1885, rebuilt the next year before almost immediately being destroyed again when ice flows caused the piles to collapse sending the whole structure toppling into the Sound. By 1887 the current lighthouse was erected and it managed to serve faithfully until 1941 when it was decommissioned. Soon after a local resident by the name of Elijah Tate purchased the old Roanoke River Light and two other decommissioned lights from the Coast Guard for the hefty sum of $10 a piece. Unfortunately two of the three collapsed and sunk when Tate attempted to move them. Fortunately he managed to move the Roanoke River Light without incident and it soon arrived at its current location on the waterfront in Edenton in 1955. Over the following years it was used as both a private residence and as rental housing but by the early 2000's it stood empty and in a serious state of disrepair. In 2009 though the State of North Carolina appropriated over $1 million to restore the old light and it was reopened in 2014 to the public...
Roanoke River Lighthouse (ca. 1887)
In 1834 the U.S. Congress authorized a lightship to be stationed at the entrance to the Roanoke River in Albemarle Sound to help safely direct shipping headed to and from the busy nearby port of Plymouth. It was soon determined that a permanent lighthouse would be cheaper to maintain and, in 1857, approval was given to build it. Unfortunately, the Civil War delayed the construction of the light until 1867. This original screw-pile light was destroyed by fire in 1885, rebuilt the next year before almost immediately being destroyed again when ice flows caused the piles to collapse sending the whole structure toppling into the Sound. By 1887 the current lighthouse was erected and it managed to serve faithfully until 1941 when it was decommissioned. Soon after a local resident by the name of Elijah Tate purchased the old Roanoke River Light and two other decommissioned lights from the Coast Guard for the hefty sum of $10 a piece. Unfortunately two of the three collapsed and sunk when Tate attempted to move them. Fortunately he managed to move the Roanoke River Light without incident and it soon arrived at its current location on the waterfront in Edenton in 1955. Over the following years it was used as both a private residence and as rental housing but by the early 2000's it stood empty and in a serious state of disrepair. In 2009 though the State of North Carolina appropriated over $1 million to restore the old light and it was reopened in 2014 to the public...

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Historic Edenton State Historic Site

Historic Edenton State Historic Site (NC)

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