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Posted in North Carolina May 01, 2015 by OnlyInYourState Staff

15 Surprising Things You Might Not Know About North Carolina

North Carolina is filled with history. Sometimes, that history goes a bit uncovered or is obscure to even the most knowledgeable natives. Did you know these fifteen random, interesting, and fun facts about North Carolina?

1. Babe Ruth hit his first home run in Fayetteville on March 7th 1914.

2. The Venus Fly Trap, is only found in two American states, NC and SC, but is native to Hampstead, NC.

3. Cape Hatteras is the largest lighthouse to ever be moved due to erosion.

4. North Carolina is the largest producer of sweet potatoes in the nation. There has even been a petition to make the sweet potato the official state vegetable.

5. Whitewater Falls, located in Transylvania County, is the highest waterfall in the eastern region of the country.

6. At 6,684 ft. Mt. Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi.

7."Cherry Point," in Havelock is the largest air base in the marine corps.

8. At 480 ft. high, Fontana Dam is the tallest dam in the Eastern United States.

9. The first mini-golf, or Putt Putt course, was built in Fayetteville.

10. UNC Chapel Hill is the oldest state university in the United States.

11. Many people believe North Carolina was the original revolutionary. That with the Mecklenburg Declaration of 1775, we were the first state to declare independence from England.

12. Grandfather Mountain, is the only private park in the world designated by the U.N as an International Biosphere Reserve.

13. North Carolina was the first state to establish a state museum of art and a state symphony.

14. North Carolina leads the nation in furniture, tobacco, brick, and textile production.

15. Virginia Dare was the first English child born on American soil.

Which of these fun facts about North Carolina surprised you the most?

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OnlyInYourState Staff

Researched and written by our staff writer who enjoys contributing about their state for our site.