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Bath, North Carolina

A Short History of Bath

In 1663 North Carolina was granted to eight of the political friends of the recently restored King of England, Charles II. These men, known as the Lords Proprietors of Carolina, promoted the settlement of this state. Settlers from Virginia began to push into the Albemarle region of eastern Carolina. As this area became inhabited some of the more adventurous settlers pushed southward and by the 1690's settlers had begun to appear on the Pamlico River. In 1696 the county of Bath
was established and in 1705 the present Beaufort County was established as Pampticough precinct.
-By: Herbert Paschal

Historic Bath was incorporated in 1705 and is North Carolina's oldest town. During the 18th century, Bath's busy streets and docks were frequented by Royal Governors, Colonial Assemblymen, and even the pirate Blackbeard. Restored buldings include the 1734 St. Thomas Church, the 1751 Palmer-Marsh House, the 1790 Van Der Veer House and the 1830 Bonner House. Guided tours start at the Visitor's Center. Open (April-October)Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Sunday 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM; (November -March) Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 PM to 4:00PM; closed Mondays and winter holiday. Call 919-923-3971 for more information. (tri-county telephone)

Bath, North Carolina's First Town - 1705. A library sent to St. Thomas Parish in 1701 became the first public library in the colony. Bath was also the haunt of Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. He is said to have married a local girl and briefly settled in the little harbor town about 1716. There have always been legends that Blackbeard struck bargains in Bath with Royal Governor Charles Eden.

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Bath Vistors Information
Historic Bath

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