Updated Mar 8, 2021

Here Are The 10 Safest And Most Peaceful Places To Live In North Carolina

North Carolina offers several small towns with low crime rates and welcoming communities ideal for settling down.

Updated Mar 8, 2021

Written by

OnlyInYourState Staff

State Pride|Need to Know

Published Jun 26, 2024

Explore The Fascinating History Of North Carolina’s 200 Stops Along The 6-State Civil War Trails Program

Published Jun 26, 2024

Written by

Carolyn Harmon

Since 1994, Civil War Trails in North Carolina has worked with people we may know - historians, volunteers, and storytellers from our local communities. The nonprofit started with some interested historians to link the sites of Robert E. Lee’s retreat from Petersburg, Virginia, to his surrender at Appomattox. Storytelling efforts have successfully connected intrigued visitors with small towns across a network of six states on more than 1,200 sites. Walk in the footsteps of the commanders, soldiers, — our descendants. This community-driven approach tells human-interest stories in organized and unforgettable ways. Let's look at a few stops along the North Carolina trails.

The incredibly detailed map-guides for each state identify the historic sites like this page from North Carolina.

The state has at least 200 sites followable by driving routes and state park indicators. Many of the destinations offer surrounding activities. Download the pdf on the Civil War Trails website. The following five sites are just a few of the fascinating stops along the tour.

1. Vance Birthplace: Weaverville

alt — Vance Birthplace State Historic Site/Facebook

This early 1800s plantation is in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains. Hear stories about the women and men who were enslaved by the Vances on the tour of a 1790s slave dwelling. And learn about the reconstructed birthplace of Zebulon B. Vance. Read other details on the Vance Birthplace web page.

Another note of interest involves this 26th North Carolina Regimental Band, C.S.A from Salem.

alt — See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In 1862, Bandleader Samuel Mickey offered the band's talent to Col. Vance which was accepted into the 26th NC Regiment. The band members pictured here sometime between 1861 and 1865 include from left: S. T. Mickey, A. P. Gibson, J. O. Hall, W. H. Hall, A. L. Hauser, D. T. Crouse, J. A. Leinbach, and James M. Fisher.

2. Bennett Place: Durham

alt — Bennett Place Historic Site/Facebook

This farmhouse once sat between the headquarters of Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston (Greensboro) and Union Gen. William T. Sherman (Raleigh). In April 1865, the two commanders met at the Bennett Place where they signed surrender papers. Read more about the site on this interesting Bennett Place Facebook post.

3. Historic Halifax: Halifax

The historic site has several buildings and an Underground Railroad that tell the stories of significant events, such as this 1838 Jail. Attend the annual Halifax Resolves Days that takes place in April when historic interpreters tell interesting stories of what happened here. Keep updated on the Historic Halifax Facebook page.

4. Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield: Dudley

alt — Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield/Facebook

A self-guided walking tour or guided tour tells where 15,000 soldiers bravely fought for our country in the famous Dec. 17, 1862 battle. Learn the history on the Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield website.

5. Market House: Fayetteville

Built in 1838, this historic building was constructed on the site of the old state house and town hall that burned in 1831. Market House was once a slave market and a plaque on the site sits as a reminder of that horrific time.

Plan a vacation, print the map, grab a highlighter, and go!

There’s always something new to see and do along the trail, so stay tuned as the program continues to grow.

Civil War Trails in North Carolina offers more information on the website. These trails give easy access to authentic details of the war in America from April 12, 1861, through the spring of 1865, leaving an estimated 620,000 dead and thousands of others injured.

Read about another fascinating stop along the way: Kinston Battlefield Park. As you travel through the state, find some lodging and reserve ahead on Expedia.com.

State Pride|Need to Know

Published May 6, 2024

The Underrated Tour Every North Carolinian History Buff Needs To Add To Their Bucket List

Published May 6, 2024

Written by

Carolyn Harmon

A history tour in North Carolina is available through Wilmington True History Tours. Take your pick from Wilmington History Walks, Wilmington Dark History Tours, Civil War Wilmington Walking Tours, and Oakdale Cemetery Walking Tours. We know the ghost tours are popular, but sometimes folks want to learn about the pirates that once moved stealthily along the Cape Fear River waters before Wilmington was even a city; or hear about a tragic fire that killed a heroic firefighter and his sweet, loyal dog; and discover the intriguing story of the female Confederate spy and her unusual death! These and other mysteries unfold on the bucket-list tours in Wilmington. Let's take a look at some highlights.

Warm up for the Wilmington Dark History Tour with this excerpt of John Collet's 1770 map of North Carolina depicting the mouth of the Cape Fear River.

alt — John Collet, J. Bayly, S. Hooper(Life time: c. 1789 – Collet), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Battle of Cape Fear River was fought in September 1718 led by William Rhett and a group of pirate ships under the command of Stede Bonnet. The pirates were defeated.

The Wilmington History Walk Tour also includes the shimmering Cape Fear River as seen here from the Wilmington Riverwalk with the distant Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.

alt — Jason W. Smith, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Battleship North Carolina is also a favorite National Historic Landmark and beloved Memorial to the 11,000+ North Carolinians who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Wilmington Historic District is full of old architecture, structures, and important stories.

You will also learn about the daring "Great Escape” by William B. Gould and other enslaved people during the Civil War Wilmington Walking Tour.

alt — AnonymousUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Oakdale Cemetery Walking Tour offers historic highlights from various people buried in this sacred ground.

alt — Samira Davis Coldwell Banker Seacoast/Tripadvisor

One is the courageous Rose O'Neal Greenhow, a spy for the Confederacy during the American Civil War.

alt — Alexander Gardner, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This 1862 clipping in prison features her daughter Rose.

She was so dedicated to the South that during the Civil War, she wrote ciphered (secret code) messages to the Confederates, supplying information about Union military plans.

alt — Русский: Гринхау, Роуз О'Нил (1817-1864)Français : Greenhow, Rose O'Neal (1817-1864)English: Greenhow, Rose O'Neal (1817-1864)中文：格林豪, 罗丝·奥尼尔 (1817-1864)Português: Greenhow, Rose O'Neal (1817-1864)العربية: غرينهاو, روز أونيل (1817-1864)Español: Greenhow, Rose O'Neal (1817-1864), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Here is one of her encoded letters. Just wait until you hear the rest of the story!

You’ll also see the gravesite of a heroic firefighter and his loyal dog whose lives were claimed by a deadly fire.

We adore this loving tribute.

Choose a history tour in North Carolina on the Wilmington True History Tours website. Then call to book the tour or ask questions at 423-292-1304.

For more history about Wilmington, order this eBook from Barnes and Noble. And while you're visiting this pretty coastal town, check out the magical Masonboro Island Reserve.

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Explore The Fascinating History Of North Carolina’s 200 Stops Along The 6-State Civil War Trails Program

1. Vance Birthplace: Weaverville

2. Bennett Place: Durham

3. Historic Halifax: Halifax

4. Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield: Dudley

5. Market House: Fayetteville

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Get the latest updates and news

The Underrated Tour Every North Carolinian History Buff Needs To Add To Their Bucket List

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

The 2.7-Mile Hiking Trail in West Virginia That Is a Fall Foliage Wonderland

The Best Apple Fried Pie in Tennessee Comes From This Mountain Orchard

The 2.7-Mile Hiking Trail in Virginia That Is a Fall Foliage Wonderland

The Off-the-Beaten-Path Restaurant in South Carolina That Is Worth the Day Trip

The Audubon Center in North Carolina Where You’ll See Dozens of Bird Species in a Single Afternoon