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Oct 2, 2023 · The Chowan County town of 5,000 boasts one of the largest groups of historic buildings in North Carolina, numerous notable figures from the past and the distinction of creating the state's the historic preservation movement.
Edenton, incorporated in 1722 and located at the head of Albemarle Sound in Chowan County, was the first colonial capital of North Carolina as well as a significant commercial center. The town was the home of James Iredell, who began his distinguished career as deputy collector for the Port of Roanoke.
Here’s some brief history of our town, along with some quick facts, courtesy of NC Tripping: Edenton was incorporated in 1722, making it the state’s third-oldest town. Since its beginnings, Edenton has been a place of wealth and community.
- A Justice Sires A Governor
- Drama at The Courthouse
- “Proof of Their Patriotism”
- The Town Green
- A Working Waterfront
- Homes of Rebellion
- Walking A Thin Line
Walk to the opposite corner of the parking lot from the Historic Site center. The gate in the picket fence takes you behind the Iredell House. If the gate is locked, go around to the right past the post office to Church Street. Either way, go to the front left of the house, by the street. This house built in 1773 became the home of the regional col...
Walk back along Queen Street 1-1/2 blocks to Court Street and turn left. Walk two blocks to King Street. Go to the front of the brick building on the right, the Old Chowan County Courthouse. (You might be able to see inside as part of the Historic Site tour.) Built in 1767, this is the second courthouse on the site, replacing a 1716 wooden one. It ...
Cross King Street and turn right. Walk a short distance and turn left down the road that borders that side of the grassy town square. Walk about one-third of the block to the memorial on the right with a bronze teapot atop a small cannon barrel. The house of Elizabeth King was on this lot when the 1774 meeting took place. Two months later, on Thurs...
Turn around, and step into the grass across the street if you wish. You are amidst a prosperous town: “At the eve of the American Revolution the town consisted of approximately 177 dwellings and had its own silversmiths, blacksmiths, tailors, cobblers, bakers, indeed artisans of all trades: the waterfront seethed with activity; the town’s grog-shop...
Walk down to the waterfront, view the Joseph Hewes Monument if you wish, and then cross over Water Street to the three cannon. Look into the harbor. It is hard to imagine how busy today’s quiet bay was in the 1770s: “Edenton’s waterfront was lined with wharves and warehouses, and the storefronts were operated by a surprisingly cosmopolitan lot of m...
Walk to the right down Water Street, noticing the 1773 Homestead House across the street. Then take the next left, Broad Street. Walk to what now is the Edenton Welcome Center, the two-story house on the left. Built in 1762 two blocks north of here (up Broad Street), the original part of the house runs from the area of the current doorway to the ri...
You can go straight up Broad Street to Church Street. But to see private homes of other Tea Party petition signers, continue down King to South Granville Street. Turn right, walk one block, and turn left. Abigail Charlton and her attorney husband lived at 206 West Eden Street, built in 1765. Return to Granville, go up another block, and turn right....
