Elizabeth City tourist information
Located where the narrows of the Pasquotank River open up and the river begins widening out on its course to the Albemarle Sound, Elizabeth City is the economic and commercial hub of the northeastern North Carolina mainland. Although it was founded in 1793, it did not take on economic importance until the Dismal Swamp Canal was completed in 1805. The Canal linked the sounds and rivers of northeastern North Carolina with the port of Norfolk, allowing area planters and lumber companies a safe and quick method of transporting their goods to market.
Today, the Canal is a means of transportation for thousands of pleasure boaters on the Intracoastal Waterway, and Elizabeth City has become a favorite stop. The town's waterfront has experienced a revitalization that includes new docks and boat facilities, shops, and most recently, the Museum of the Albemarle's new facility. The Museum interprets over 400 years of local history and is a wonderful introduction to the heritage of the region.
The United States Coast Guard operates training and rescue facility here that has been the focus of many daring rescues by sea and by air. Rescue teams from the station have been featured in the national spotlight on many occasions, including several daring rescues during the famous ''Perfect Storm'' of 1991.
Several ferry crossways were established just north and west of the narrows. Its location was near several roads leading to Currituck, Edenton, and Norfolk also.
By 1779 a new ferry crossing had been established at a point just above the Narrows at a location where the river was narrow and favorable to crossing in any sort of weather. Highway traffic between the county seats of Camden and Pasquotank now used the new ferry. Also, traffic passed a landing at the Narrows which was popular for the storage and shipping of shingles taken from the juniper swamps. Here a tavern, one of the few in the area, was operated by the family of Adam Tooley. It became a convenient stopping place for travelers, mariners, shippers, and buyers. A settlement sprang up and an early stagecoach route from Princess Anne, Virginia to Chowan changed horses here. In 1793 a charter was granted by the General Assembly to form a town at the Narrows of Pasquotank River to be known as Reding. (The background for this name is not known; however, there were several Reding families living in the area at the time.) Fifty acres were purchased from Adam Tooley and his wife Elizabeth which were divided into streets and lots, the latter being sold as items the location of which was determined by a drawing after all had been sold. The three principal streets were to be sixty-six feet wide; others half that width; and lots were to be a half-acre each, two to the block, except those located on the river which were to be one-fourth-acre in area. The principal street was named Center and extended from the river westward to what is now Dyer Street. Three other streets ran parallel to Center so that the north limit of the town was Poindexter Creek; the south, Tiber Creek (now Grice Street). Cross streets were numbered from the river, First Street being sixty-six feet wide, later called Front and now named Water Street. All the other cross streets running north and south were thirty-three feet in width.
by Elizabeth City North Carolina
Elizabeth City aerial map
Please click on any icon on the Elizabeth City aerial tourist map, to find close by places, offering hotels and tourist information. You can zoom in and zoom out our touristical map as well as switch between satelite and map view of Elizabeth City.
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