From the early days when the Tuscarora Indians settled the region to now, Tarboro is an interesting, historic small town that every North Carolinian should visit at least once. The town was chartered on Nov. 30, 1760, and officially became the county seat of Edgecombe County in 1764. It was a thriving riverport until the Civil War started, then by 1861, 60% of the county’s population — over 10,000 people — was enslaved. After the war, many newly-freed people crossed over the Tar River and founded Freedom Hill, which became Princeville in 1885, the first town in the U.S. incorporated by African Americans. In 1977, the National Park Service recognized the Tarboro Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places, spanning 45 blocks and including more than 300 structures. Let’s take a look at this historic, small town.
- Edgecombe County Courthouse
Indy beetle, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons The elegant, green roof on this Modern Colonial Revival building is a welcoming sight. This is the third county courthouse, built in 1964-65 by Taylor and Crabtree of Nashville, Tennessee. The first courthouse was constructed in 1739 before the county was created. Edgecombe County Courthouse, 301 St Andrew St, Tarboro, NC 27886, USA
- Downtown
Indy beetle, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons The 45-block Tarboro Historic District was recognized by the National Park Service in 1977 including historic churches, homes, and other structures. You can still see the original 19th-century storefronts along Tarboro’s Main Street.
- Tarboro Town Common
Town of Tarboro/Facebook People refer to this as the gateway to the Tarboro Historic District. The 1760 Tarboro Town Common is a fan-favorite with its impressive oak-shaded lawn and war memorials Tarboro Town Common, 202 W Wilson St, Tarboro, NC 27886, USA
The 15-acre park is the second-oldest legislated town common in the U.S. It is a welcome space for picnics, walkers, and daydreamers.
Town of Tarboro/Facebook
- 1860 Cotton Press
Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons This valuable machine sits at the west end of the town common and was moved from Norfleet Plantation in the early 20th century, where livestock was used to turn cotton into bales and crush fruit.
- Tarboro Coffee House
Tarboro Coffee House/Facebook Before we go any further, coffee is required along with a freshly baked muffin or yummy cinnamon roll. This historic building is also on the Walking Trail of Historic Tarboro.
Just look at the available choices inside. Can you imagine the fantastic smells here? They are free of charge.
Tarboro Coffee House/Facebook
- Pender-Lanier House
Waterman, Thomas T., creator, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Another home on the walking tour is this Greek Revival house built around 1832, which boasts a grand entrance with sidelights, its original cupola, and seven fireplaces. This home is located at 1004 Main St.
- Blount-Bridgers House
Blount-Bridgers Arboretum/Facebook This sprawling mansion built by Thomas Blount in 1808, was once the center of an enormous plantation. It is now a museum, art gallery, and home of the Tarboro Arts Council. The award-winning Blount-Bridgers Arboretum is maintained by the Garden Committee. Blount-Bridgers House, 130 Bridgers St, Tarboro, NC 27886, USA
- The Barracks
The Barracks Tarboro NC/Facebook The beautiful Greek Revival and Italianate-style design elements in this historic plantation house came alive when it was built in about 1858, featuring a central projecting bay with a distyle pedimented portico. It is topped by a cross-gable roof and cupola.
- Calvary Episcopal Church
Calvary Episcopal Church/Facebook Construction on the historic, Gothic Revival church building, designed by William Percival and built by Thomas Coats, started in 1858 and was completed in 1867. The original furnishings in the chancel that remain include the altar, the Deacon’s Chair, the Bishop’s Chair, and the Acolyte Stalls. Today it is led by the Rev. Dee Shaffer. Calvary Episcopal Church, 411 E Church St, Tarboro, NC 27886, USA
The interior looks like a castle, a magical place to pray.
Calvary Episcopal Church/Facebook
- Off The Main
Off The Main/Facebook This unique and ever-changing women’s wear, gifts, housewares, and children’s boutique is located in a quaint Victorian home. Off The Main, 417 N Main St, Tarboro, NC 27886, USA
- On the Square
On the Square/Facebook By now, you must be starving. Housed in a renovated 1871 building, this upscale restaurant will surely bring relief to your tastebuds. On the Square, 115 E St James St, Tarboro, NC 27886, USA
This creatively designed entree of steamed mussels, calamari, and shrimp, infused with bacon and green onion might be the ticket.
On the Square/Facebook
Especially when it is covered in silver ice, Tarboro is a welcoming town rich in history and warm people eager to show you the beauty that remains of the past.
Town of Tarboro/Facebook
Are you ready to visit this historic small town in North Carolina? The education is endless about historic Tarboro. If you go, please tell us about your experience in the comments below.
Indy beetle, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The elegant, green roof on this Modern Colonial Revival building is a welcoming sight. This is the third county courthouse, built in 1964-65 by Taylor and Crabtree of Nashville, Tennessee. The first courthouse was constructed in 1739 before the county was created.
Edgecombe County Courthouse, 301 St Andrew St, Tarboro, NC 27886, USA
The 45-block Tarboro Historic District was recognized by the National Park Service in 1977 including historic churches, homes, and other structures. You can still see the original 19th-century storefronts along Tarboro’s Main Street.
Town of Tarboro/Facebook
People refer to this as the gateway to the Tarboro Historic District. The 1760 Tarboro Town Common is a fan-favorite with its impressive oak-shaded lawn and war memorials
Tarboro Town Common, 202 W Wilson St, Tarboro, NC 27886, USA
Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
This valuable machine sits at the west end of the town common and was moved from Norfleet Plantation in the early 20th century, where livestock was used to turn cotton into bales and crush fruit.
Tarboro Coffee House/Facebook
Before we go any further, coffee is required along with a freshly baked muffin or yummy cinnamon roll. This historic building is also on the Walking Trail of Historic Tarboro.
Waterman, Thomas T., creator, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Another home on the walking tour is this Greek Revival house built around 1832, which boasts a grand entrance with sidelights, its original cupola, and seven fireplaces. This home is located at 1004 Main St.
Blount-Bridgers Arboretum/Facebook
This sprawling mansion built by Thomas Blount in 1808, was once the center of an enormous plantation. It is now a museum, art gallery, and home of the Tarboro Arts Council. The award-winning Blount-Bridgers Arboretum is maintained by the Garden Committee.
Blount-Bridgers House, 130 Bridgers St, Tarboro, NC 27886, USA
The Barracks Tarboro NC/Facebook
The beautiful Greek Revival and Italianate-style design elements in this historic plantation house came alive when it was built in about 1858, featuring a central projecting bay with a distyle pedimented portico. It is topped by a cross-gable roof and cupola.
Calvary Episcopal Church/Facebook
Construction on the historic, Gothic Revival church building, designed by William Percival and built by Thomas Coats, started in 1858 and was completed in 1867. The original furnishings in the chancel that remain include the altar, the Deacon’s Chair, the Bishop’s Chair, and the Acolyte Stalls. Today it is led by the Rev. Dee Shaffer.
Calvary Episcopal Church, 411 E Church St, Tarboro, NC 27886, USA
Off The Main/Facebook
This unique and ever-changing women’s wear, gifts, housewares, and children’s boutique is located in a quaint Victorian home.
Off The Main, 417 N Main St, Tarboro, NC 27886, USA
On the Square/Facebook
By now, you must be starving. Housed in a renovated 1871 building, this upscale restaurant will surely bring relief to your tastebuds.
On the Square, 115 E St James St, Tarboro, NC 27886, USA
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