A Brief History of Beaufort NC
One of the great things about North Carolina is the rich history found up and down the coast. When you purchase one of the Beau Coast homes in Beaufort NC, you’re not just getting a beautiful new home, you’re getting a chance to live in a charming community and town with plenty of appeal for locals and visitors alike.
North Carolina became a state in 1789, but Beaufort was established as a town in 1709. In fact, Beaufort is the third oldest town in the state and is now the seat of Carteret County. However, it dates even further back to the late 1600s, when it was first a fishing village and a port of safety. Originally known as Fishtown, because of the tremendous importance of the fishing industry, it was eventually renamed for the Duke of Beaufort, Henry Somerset.
Beaufort was a port of safety and a great location for the fishing industry thanks to its placement on Beaufort Inlet, a channel leading south to the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, Beaufort had the safest and most navigable harbor of any of the ports of North Carolina, although its location inland ultimately prevented it from becoming a truly booming fishing and maritime port. Still, the location played an important role in the town’s history and is still relevant thanks to the layout that makes it a waterfront wonderland for today’s residents.
While it may not have become a boomtown, it certainly had its share of business from patriots and privateers, as well as merchants and skilled craftsmen. The town’s industry built up around fishing and whaling, but it also attracted those in relevant fields, such as the production of lumber and naval stores, as well as actual shipbuilding. Along with farming to serve the needs of both locals and sailors, Beaufort made the most of its natural resources.
Because of the influx of people coming in off the high seas, including those who had spent time in the Bahamas and West Indies, the architecture of the town took on a flavor of that area. It’s still seen today in homes and public buildings that are now registered historic buildings, complete with information about their dates of construction and first owners. In 1713, an official Plan of Beaufort Towne was laid out, and the surviving 12-block area is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, the Beau Coast community of homes in Beaufort NC offers an incredible way of life that lets you make the most of this section of the Outer Banks’ natural beauty and easy access to great shopping, dining, adventures, and more. Beau Coast has been voted “Best of the Best” by Ideal Living Magazine, and our range of homes draws on the town’s rich history and coastal beauty to live up to that name. From single-family homes to townhomes, contact us today to learn more about our homes and how you can become a part of this wonderful town’s picturesque history.
