The One Small Town In North Carolina With More Historic Places Than Any Other
By Melissa Mahoney|Published September 27, 2022
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
Bath is a rather historic small town in North Carolina. Established in 1705, this is the state’s first town and it has seen several key events in history. Set near the Pamlico River and first settled by Europeans in the 1690s, Bath has a long history and numerous historic sites to explore.
As North Carolina's first town, Bath has its beginnings in the 1690s when it was first settled by Europeans. By 1705 it was incorporated and, by 1708, there was a population of 50 people and 12 houses.
With its location on the Pamlico River which leads to the Atlantic Ocean a mere 50 miles away, Bath was home to the state's first port. Trade became an integral part of the town's economy.
John Lawson (1674-1711) was one of Bath's first residents and a surveyor who wrote the first history book on the Carolina colony in 1709. He certainly made his mark on this town.
The Palmer-Marsh House is a museum located on Bath's Main Street. It was built in 1751 and is one of only three buildings from the 18th century still standing here. Since 1970, it has been considered a U.S. National Historic Landmark.
Walking around the town of Bath is like stepping back in time. If you would like to spend more than just a day here, consider a stay at The Inn on Bath Creek.
This bed and breakfast is located on the historic Main Street and, while it was built in the late-1990s, it has all the charms and details of a historic home.
As you can see, Bath is a historic small town in North Carolina with a long history and plenty of beauty and sites to see. Have you ever visited this town? Let us know in the comments. To learn more about this town and plan your visit, head to the North Carolina Historic Sites website.