Inner Banks Neighborhoods

Alliance
Settled in 1890s and named for the Farmers Alliance Movement.
 

Arapahoe
Arapahoe was first known as “Cross Roads”. The name was later changed to “Arapahoe” — some say it was named after the Indians and others after a racehorse of the same name. The Corsa Indians lived at Core Point near the mouth of the Pamlico River and blazed the trail that became the first road to Wilkerson’s Point. This community was settled early in the 18th century, not long after New Bern (which settled in 1710). Arapahoe’s post office was established in 1886. The town was incorporated in 1920.
 

Bath
Incorporated in 1705, Bath was the first town in North Carolina, and is famous for its historic wars, rivalries, and even as the home of the legendary pirate Blackbeard. A sleepy village located at the heart of the Pamlico River, Bath’s picturesque shoreline offers true coastal charm. The town also offers a unique look into colonial life with guided tours of 18th and 19th century homes such as the Van Der Veer House, the Palmer-March House, the Bonner House, and even the St. Thomas Church, the oldest church in North Carolina. The Town of Bath maintains free dockage for cruising yachtsmen.

 

Bayboro
Bayboro was named for the Bay River and settled long before it was incorporated in 1881. It’s the oldest incorporated town in the county and was the first to have town water. It became the county seat in 1876. The following year, the courthouse was relocated here from Stonewall. Although narrow, the Bay River is navigable all the way to the town.
 

Beaufort
Steeped in history and quaint, small town charm, the port town of Beaufort offers unspoiled waterway access to Taylor’s Creek, Shackleford Banks and the Atlantic Ocean. Incorporated in 1722, the town was influenced by English architecture and includes a selection of beautifully restored Victorian-style homes, including the Hammock House, which was built in 1698 and served as an inn that was regularly visited by Blackbeard. It is also home to the North Carolina Maritime Museum and Watercraft Center, and the Rachel Carson Reserve, which is part of the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve. Beaufort is also located in the heart of Carteret County and is the county seat, and is a favorite “jumping off” port for off-shore bound mariners and fishermen.
 

Belhaven
The scenic town of Belhaven is located just a few miles from historic Bath, on the waterfront of Pantego Creek on the Intracoastal Waterway. Known for offering a host of outdoor activities like swimming, sailing, skiing, fishing and hunting, Belhaven’s mixture of restaurants, bed and breakfasts and quaint shopping adds to its charming atmosphere. Belhaven is a popular stopping point for mariners traversing the ICW.
 

Hobucken and Lowland
“Goose Creek Island” was formerly part of Beaufort County. In 1874, Hobucken and Lowland citizens voted to become part of Pamlico County. Around 1900, a post office was established for the area. The island is a magnet for fishermen and duck hunters and is home to a unit of the U.S. Coast Guard, which is located on the Intracoastal Waterway.
 

Minnesott Beach
Developed as resort area on Neuse River by the Hardison family after World War I, the town’s name is derived from an Indian word said to mean, “land of sky and blue water”. Older visitors remember it as a resort community that flourished on the shores of the Neuse in the 1920’s. Today, younger visitors come to one of several summer camps established along the river.
 

Oriental
Oriental is nestled amid five creeks along the Neuse River and connected to the Intracoastal Waterway via a 10-foot deep channel. Settled in 1870, residents wanted to establish a post office when they found the town first needed an official name. One resident recalled seeing the nameplate from the steamship “Oriental” at a friend’s house in Manteo; the steamer had wrecked off the coast of Cape Hatteras in 1862 while under the commission of the Union army. The Town of Oriental was officially incorporated in 1899. Today, with more power and sailboats in residence than people, it has earned its reputation as being “The Sailing Capitol of North Carolina.”
 

Reelsboro
No one seems to know how Reeslboro got its name, but it seems likely that it was named for the Reel families. Reelsboro is situated in a very sandy area. Before the hard surfaced roads were built, cars had to wind (or perhaps “reel”) around to keep from getting stuck in it! When the railroad came to Pamlico County, one of the stops was named “Reelsboro”. Its post office was established in 1891.
 

Stonewall
Stonewall was incorporated in 1870 when it was still part of Craven County. Citizens first wished to name the town “Jackson” for the owner of a local mill. But since there was already a town with that name in North Carolina, “Stonewall” was selected — presumably in honor of General T. J. “Stonewall” Jackson. It was home to Pamlico County’s first post office, which was established after the Civil War, and the original site of the county courthouse before it was moved to Bayboro.
 

Vandemere
At one time, the Indian village of “Secotan” was located here. Later, it was renamed by the wife of a former Union Army surgeon who settled here in the 1870s. Its new name was derived from the words “van” (the German word for “village”) and De Mere” (French for “by the sea”). Vandemere is situated on a point where Vandemere Creek flows into the Bay River. It was incorporated in 1874 and was the county seat from 1872 (when Pamlico County was formed) to 1876.
 

River Dunes
Created by the heightened demand for luxurious waterfront property, River Dunes is one of Pamlico County’s newest and largest community, located on a 1,324-acre peninsula in Oriental. This 600-home community will feature 14 miles of waterfront property, a 400-slip marina, a maritime village, and both riverside and creekside homes. Home styles include single family homes, and cozy waterfront and waterview cottages, villas and bungalows. River Dunes will also include two clubhouses, one on the Pamlico Sound, and one on the Neuse River, and several natural preserves including sandy beaches, lush marshlands, natural trails and boardwalks, and creeks with canoe and kayak access.
 

Washington
The City of Washington, named for President George Washington in 1776, offers rich history and heritage, a lush natural setting and a wealth of recreational, educational and cultural activities that make it a wonderful location. Washington’s waterfront is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with a wide range of shops and restaurants that are found along the Tar and Pamlico rivers. Combined with the Pungo River and proximity to Goose Creek State Park and Aurora Fossil Museum, the town offers many outlets for natural exploration. Washington is also home to the North Carolina ferry system.