Bath Fast Facts
Population -- 652 est.
Location -- North of Pamlico River
One School -- Bath
Elementary
Oldest Incorporated Town in North Carolina
Co-location of Pamlico Ferry
One time home of Blackbeard
Carolina Telephone Exchange
"923"
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.
Postcards
Bath Vistors
Information
Historic Bath
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