"Norcom House" and the Old Inlet Inn


"Norcom House" on Front Street (before 1911)

The original Inlet Inn, built in the 1850s by the owners of a
dry goods store in Beaufort, was first a private residence owned by Charles Lowenberg. The 1880 census recorded Charles W. Lowenberg as a hotel proprietor of "Sea Side House."

 In the early 1900s the home was sold to the Morris family who used it as a summer home. After a couple years the Morris family turned the home into a boarding house and named it "The Morris House."

 In the early 1900s, Carrie Dill Norcom operated the inn, previously known at "The Morris House, and renamed it "Norcom House." Miss Dill married Henry D. Norcom in 1878 and lived in the family home at 128 Craven Street.

 
Anna Pierson Stephens
Carrie Dill Norcom
In 1911, the house was sold to Congressman Charles Abernathy who greatly expanded its size with rambling additions and named it the "New Inlet Inn." (1900 census notes Charles Abernathy, lawyer, living with his wife on Ann Street. The 1910 census recorded Charles S. Abernathy, 38, solicitor-third judicial district, was living within the first two blocks of west Front Street.)
 
Carrie Dill Norcom (1859-1949) stayed on as "keeper of boarding house, as recorded on the 1910 and 1920 censuses. 
 
From the early- to-mid 1930s, until mid- to-late 1950s, Anna Virginia Pierson Stephens (1887-1975), wife of Burett Henry Stephens, was owner/operator of the inn. The 1940 census noted her as "manager of hotel," and the 1950 census as "proprietor of boarding house." Later, she leased the inn to others, who continued its operation.


There was a ball room on the second floor. Music was provided by a small orchestra comprised of the four children of the inn operator, Mrs. Worth, and two other local Beaufort boys. There was even a dance instructor. Fresh water was pumped to the Inn by windmills.

1917 Postcard
 
1913 Sanborn Map
 
At this time a beautiful swimming beach was right at the front steps of the inn. A half-mile-long boardwalk, extending from the 500 block of Front Street and passed in front of the inn. 
 
Dredging of Taylor’s Creek and the resulting unsightly piles of sand on the south side of the channel lead to the closing of the inn. Several comebacks were attempted but were not successful. Eventually the beach in front of the inn was filled and Front Street was extended and paved.

Drummond's Pictorial Atlas of North Carolina, published 1924, noted the Inlet Inn as one of the resort hotels in North Carolina. Part of Drummond's description: "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. Beaufort's fishing industry is one of the largest in the State. Approximately one million dollars is invested in boats, nets and factories. Lumber is also one of the big industries here."

Old Inlet Inn circa 1933
The inn was then under the supervision of Mr. & Mrs. W.J. Willmott 


"Joni's Porch"
Part of the Old Inlet Inn
In 1967, at the age of 110, most of the building was torn down to make way for construction of the BB&T Bank building just east of the current Inlet Inn at the corner of Front and Queen streets. 

One wing of the original Inlet Inn was salvaged and is now used as a private residence.

Below are few images provided by Paul Stephens, grandson of Anna Virginia Pierson Stephens, owner/operator of the inn from the early- to-mid 1930s, until mid- to-late 1950s.