The only screw-pile lighthouse still standing in North Carolina is the Roanoke River Lighthouse…read morenear Edenton, a unique and durable piece of maritime history. It was constructed in 1886 and lit in 1887 with the intention of directing ships into the Roanoke River from the Albemarle Sound. An inventive answer to the delicate, changing soils of coastal rivers was its distinctive screw-pile foundation, which consisted of steel pilings that were physically screwed into the riverbed. In contrast to the majority of lighthouses of its type, this one was two floors tall and had a lantern tower with a fourth-order Fresnel lens positioned on a corner of the roof instead of in the middle. The Coast Guard sold the lighthouse to Elijah Tate in 1955 after it was discontinued in 1941 because of dwindling river traffic. The building was severely damaged by Hurricane Isabel in 2003, which led to a preservation effort. With the help of the public and private sectors, the Edenton Historical Commission bought it in 2007, relocated it to Colonial Waterfront Park, and repaired it. It now proudly sits on Edenton's port as a museum and a testament to the tenacity of the local community and historical preservation. The lighthouse is free to tour and the "grounds" are accessible 24 hours. It is well worth a stop. I'm only bummed that I wasn't here to see it at sunrise or at sunset as I am sure it is quite magical. [Round number review 24000 overall - 841 of 2025 - 4271 in North Carolina]

Very cute and quaint lighthouse in an amazing part of North Carolina! The history is fascinating,…read morethe building is well-preserved, and the surrounding waterfront views make it a great stop to explore and take photos.

The Barker House in Edenton, North Carolina, is a storied landmark that blends architectural…read moreelegance with deep historical resonance. Built in 1782 for Thomas and Penelope Barker, the home originally stood two blocks north of its current location and began as a modest Federal-style parlor wing and half hall. Penelope Barker is best known for organizing the Edenton Tea Party in 1774, a bold act of protest in which 51 women signed a petition against British taxation--making it one of the earliest political demonstrations by women in America. Unlike the Boston Tea Party, these women signed their names and sent the petition directly to King George III, drawing international attention and criticism from British newspapers. Since relocated (yes, they moved it two blocks), it now serves as Edenton's Welcome Center and the headquarters of the Edenton Historical Commission. Stop in for information about Edenton sights and history. I wasn't staying long here, but I was helped by friendly folks who clearly love their town. [Review 839 of 2025 - 4269 in North Carolina - 24398 overall]

We were greeted by an excellent curator that provided us a very warm Welcome into the Barker House…read more The house is a beautiful step back in time with period antiques and a very nice gift shop. I purchased a Tea House cookbook and was amazed by the recipes along with beautiful historical notes of the area. You must stop in while visiting Edenton!

The Chowan County Courthouse was completed in 1767 and is the oldest courthouse still in active use…read morein North Carolina. The courthouse's design is attributed either to John Hawks, architect of Tryon Palace in New Bern, or Gilbert Leigh, a local builder. It features a T-shaped layout with Flemish bond brickwork, a central courtroom, and a second-floor assembly room often referred to as a ballroom. The building has a two-stage wooden cupola with a weathervane atop the structure, reflecting classical British architectural influences. During the Revolutionary era, the courthouse was a hub of political and legal activity. Figures such as Joseph Hewes (a signer of the Declaration of Independence), James Iredell (later a U.S. Supreme Court Justice), and Samuel Johnston (Governor and U.S. Senator) practiced law and held meetings there. It is one of the most impressive buildings in Edenton and well worth a stop. [Review 838 of 2025 - 4268 in North Carolina - 24397 overall]

Tons of history in this building! Very cool to stand on original stone floors that were imported…read morefrom Britain. It's still an active courtroom and we learned that the NC Supreme Court holds court here once in a while. You can walk around freely and sit in the judge's seat which was a cool experience. The guided tour with Lucas was fun and informative.

Continuing my drive to Virginia Beach along the back roads of eastern North Carolina, this marker…read moreat the intersection was easy to read because there's really not much information on it. It reads, "Scotch Hall - Plantation setting for the novel "Bertie" by George R. Throop (1851), tutor in the family of Geo. W. Capehart. House built 1838 is 8 mi. S.E." Online, there is more information. The web page reads, "Cullen Capehart purchased vast tracts of land in Bertie County in the early nineteenth century, eventually owning the entire peninsula between the Albemarle Sound and Salmon Creek. The property on which his son, George Washington Capehart, built his home was acquired about 1818. That property had been owned by William Maule, Surveyor General and a member of the colonial assembly. Maule is credited with having named the property Scots Hall, as it is named in his 1726 will. George Capehart built "Scotch Hall," overlooking Albemarle Sound, in 1838. Both George and Cullen Capeheart, whose adjoining plantation was known as Avoca, worked the farmland together and eventually operated a fishery at Batchelor's Bay. In 1849 George Capehart hired George Higby Throop of New York to tutor his children. Throop lived with the family at "Scotch Hall" for about seven months and later wrote two novels based on his experiences at the Capehart plantation. Throop's books, Nags Head (1850) and Bertie: or, Life in the Old Field (1851), were published under the pseudonym Capt. Gregory Seaworthy. Throop's novel Bertie provides a rare and valuable glimpse at nineteenth century "Scotch Hall." The Capeharts left their home in the hands of a caretaker during the Civil War. The caretaker and his family, the Smiths, kept Union troops at bay and witnessed the Battle of Batchelor's Bay while at "Scotch Hall." Family tradition is that naval ordnance could be found on the property after the war. Remarkably, "Scotch Hall" has remained in the Capehart family." [Review 11860 overall, 1642 of 2019.]

Another North Carolina marker with limited information. The marker reads, "Quaker Activity - In…read more1672 missionaries William Edmundson and George Fox, founder of Society of Friends in America, held religious meetings in this area." Online, more information: "In May of 1672 William Edmundson, English-born missionary, traveled to the wilderness of Carolina to spread the Gospel for the Society of Friends. Alongside the Perquimans River, in an area now known as Phelps Point near the town of Hertford, Edmundson found the home of Henry Phelps (Phillips) and his wife, Quakers transplanted seven years earlier from New England. The clergyman arranged a meeting of neighbors, noting that "they had little or no religion, for they came and sat down in the meeting smoking their pipes."" "In October of the same year George Fox, recognized as the founder of the Society of Friends, met with these same neighbors. In 1676 Edmundson returned to find evidence of organized Quaker activity. Their efforts saw fruit as Quakerism dominated public life in the Albemarle region through the end of the century with the apex being the governorship of John Archdale (1694-1697)." [Review 11862 overall, 1644 of 2019.]