"The City of Gentle Breezes" 1924

Drummond's Pictorial 

Atlas of North Carolina  

(Published 1924)

BEAUFORT

"The City of Gentle Breezes"

"Beaufort is located on the Southern shore of Carteret County about midway between the eastern and western extremities of the County. Beaufort is nearer the Atlantic Ocean than any town or city in the State of North Carolina, having 2500 or more inhabitants. Carteret County is bordered on the south and east by numerous sounds which are separated from the Atlantic Ocean by narrow reefs which form two bays on the Atlantic side--Onslow Bay on the south, and Raleigh Bay on the east. Cape Lookout on the Atlantic is just twelve miles southeast of Beaufort. Carteret is bordered on the north by Pamlico Sound, the Neuse River, Craven County and Jones County, while the White Oak River forms the western border. Beaufort, itself, is almost completely surrounded by water. It is on a peninsular jutting into the waters of Core Sound on the east, Beaufort Harbor on the south, and Newport River on the west. On the north it is bounded by one of the most fertile sections of farming lands in the whole State.

 

"Beaufort is one of the best located Ports of the State. It is nearer the Atlantic Ocean than any other city of the State of over 2500 population. It is directly opposite Beaufort Inlet, less than a mile away. Its harbor, thus sheltered, is within easy access of all ships plying along the coast. Cape Lookout lighthouse is only twelve miles south of the city. Beaufort lies in 34 degrees north latitude and 76 degrees west longitude. It is in the extreme eastern part of North Carolina, Elizabeth City and Edenton being the only two cities in North Carolina of over 2500 population located further east.

"The city of Beaufort is served by the Norfolk-Southern railway. This road runs due west from the city, across the Sound to Morehead City then turns north to New Bern, 38 miles away. The main line from Beaufort runs on through Kinston to Goldsboro. At Goldsboro direct connection is made with the Southern Railway to Raleigh, the State Capital, 146 miles from Beaufort, and to Greensboro, 227 miles away. At Goldsboro connection is also made with the Atlantic Coast Line from Wilmington to Wilson, Richmond, Washington and points North. Washington is only 379 miles from Beaufort. At New Bern connection is made to Norfolk, 208 miles away, over the Norfolk Southern Railway, and to Wilmington, 125 miles south over the New Bern-Wilmington branch of the Atlantic Coast Line. Four trains daily, two in each direction, give the city quick connection with both Northern and Southern markets. Fish and other seasonable products are exported quickly and safely to distribution points and markets.

 

"Naturally, a county bordering on so much water carries on a large commerce by means of boats. Beaufort has thousands of dollars invested in boats, with a number of freight, passenger and mail boats running regularly between the city and other points both far and near. Beaufort is the Southern terminal of the Boston-Beaufort Inland Waterway.

"Beaufort has just installed a sewer and water system which covers the whole town. It has paved sidewalks and is now paving the principal streets. A fine seawall lies in front of the town. The city owns her own water and electric plants. Beaufort has good public schools and a large private school. Baptist, Congregational, Methodist and Episcopal churches are here. Investigation of Beaufort's numerous advantages is welcomed by the Chamber of Commerce.

 

"State Highway No. 10 extends over 600 miles across the State from Murphy through Asheville,Hickory, Statesville, Salisbury, High Point, Greensboro, Durham, Raleigh, Goldsboro, Kinston, New Bern, and terminates at Beaufort. This is now being hardsurfaced. In addition, county roads bring all parts of the County into connection with Beaufort.

"Beaufort is the County Seat of Carteret County and is one of the oldest towns in North Carolina. Carteret County was originally a part of the precinct of Bath which was one of the divisions of territory made by the Lords Proprietors soon after assuming control of the Carolinas in 1663. In 1722 Beaufort was made a Port of Entry and was incorporated the following year by the General Assembly. 

"The present population is composed mostly of the descendants of these early settlers. The first court house was erected in 1728 and the first jail in 1736. The court house contains many interesting records of the early days of this community.

"The fishing industry in Beaufort is one of the largest in the State and furnishes employment to hundreds of people and approximately a million dollars is invested in boats, nets, factories and other equipment. The U.S. Government maintains an experimental station and laboratory on Pivers Island in the harbor.

"The lumber industry is a big one here and the largest mill in the County is located on the outskirts of the town. Besides the saw mills there is a barrel factory which supplies barrels to the potato growers and also makes fish boxes. There is also a knitting mill, an ice factory, and a canning factory in Beaufort. Opportunity is open for other factories here.

"Beaufort enjoys a remarkably pleasant climate, characterized by mildness in both winter and summer. This noted mildness is a natural result from the influences surrounding this location. It is nearer the Gulf Stream than any town in North Carolina, being only about fifty miles from this great ocean stream. Snow is a rare occurrence here and there is but little frost. Roses and flowers often bloom out of doors in January. The average winter temperature is 47.5 degrees; summer 78.4 degrees.

"The tourists who visit Beaufort in either summer or winter can always find somethings interesting to do. Trips to the ocean beaches, to Old Fort Macon, Cape Lookout, and into the back country are all of unusual interest. The sportsman can always get good fishing and in season there is good shooting. Bear, deer and foxes are fairly plentiful and there is an abundance of duck, goose and brant shooting in nearby rivers and sounds. There are several good hotels, restaurants and boarding houses which cater to tourists.

Beaufort offers excellent opportunity for the development of shipping facilities, and fishing activities. The farmer is welcomed to the rich lands of the county while the steadily increasing tourist trade offers great possibilities."

*© This work is the property of the UNC at Chapel Hill.
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Drummond's Pictorial Atlas of North Carolina.

Drummond, Albert Y.,148 p. incl. front., ill.,Charlotte, N.C.,Albert Y. Drummond,Winston-Salem, N.C.,Scoggins Printing Company, Inc.,1924, Call number NCC Folio -- FC917 D79 (North Carolina Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill),"Edited and Published by Albert Y. Drummond."