Josiah Collins, Sr., and partners drained part of 100,000-acre tract near Lake Phelps with 6-mile canal, completed 1788; mouth 2 mi. southeast.
Early channel of trade, its valley long an area of plantations. Frequent floods until 1952, since controlled by Kerr Dam. Old name was "Moratuck."
Governor, 1889-91, state Adjutant General, 1863, Confederate officer, superior court judge, state legislator. His home stood here.
Brigadier general of the Army Air Service, demonstrated air power by bombing battleships off coast, Sept. 5, 1923. Landing field was here.
Steamer ran aground on November 24, 1877, near here, killing 98. Tragedy led to improvements in U.S. Livesaving Service.
A German submarine sank the British tanker "Mirlo" off coast nearby, Aug. 16, 1918. Coast Guard, led by J. A. Midgett, saved most of the crew.
First Bishop-elect of Episcopal Church in N.C., 1794. St. David's Church, erected 1803 at his expense, and his home are 1/2 mile southeast.
Home of motion picture producer Cecil B. DeMille & his father, playwright Henry C. DeMille, stood five blocks west.
Acting governor, 1753-54. Councilor, assemblyman, and Surveyor-General. Merchant in the Irish trade. His home was here.
Inventor, Pioneer in radio communication, conducted wireless experiments, 1901-02, from a station, 600 yds. S.W.