14 Quirky Facts About North Carolina That Sound Made Up, But Are 100% Accurate
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Carolyn Harmon
Author
Obvious attractions bring folks to visit the wildly unique and alluring state of North Carolina, known by approximately 44 million visitors in 2021 and counting. The gorgeous coastlines and mountains are obvious draws. But this sprawling land harbors other interesting attractions and facts that may sound made up, but are 100 percent true. From an official drinking toast to a big coffee pot, tune in for some quirky facts about North Carolina that may bring you here.
1. Tallest Lighthouse in the U.S.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, 46379 Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, NC 27920, USA
Imagine the reassurance this stately structure brings, especially when it was first lit on Dec. 16, 1870 — at 210 feet tall and with 269 steps to climb. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse still protects one of the most hazardous sections of the Atlantic Coast. While it is closed for restoration, you can view the virtual tour.
2. Mickey Coffee Pot
The Mickey Coffee Pot Marker, 401 Old Salem Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
In 1858, The 7-foot-3-inch-tall coffee pot was created by tinsmiths Samuel and Julius Mickey to advertise their tin shop. Over the years, the pot has been relocated a couple of times and is owned by the City of Winston-Salem.
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3. The Only State with an Official Drinking Toast
In 1957 the poem "A Toast" was adopted as the official toast to the State of North Carolina. The work in its entirety is four stanzas long and written by Leonora Martin and Mary Burke Kerr in 1904.
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4. Milk
Homeland Creamery, 6506 Bowman Dairy Rd, Julian, NC 27283, USA
In 1987, North Carolina cows per year produced 179 million gallons of milk, earning about $4,800 per cow. That same year, the General Assembly adopted milk as the official State beverage.
Today, N.C. still has hundreds of dairy farms and you can tour one at Homeland Creamery in Julian.
5. First Krispy Kreme Doughnut Shop
Krispy Kreme, 259 S Stratford Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, USA
We know this one gets talked about a lot, and speaking of milk, you must have one with this adored treat. A big thanks goes to Vernon Rudolph for purchasing a secret doughnut recipe, creating the most splendid sweetness to touch your lips. On July 13, 1937, He opened a shop in Old Salem, now Winston-Salem, to begin selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts to local grocery stores, and the rest is history.
6. Largest Producer of Sweet Potatoes
Scott Farms, Inc., 7965 Simpson Rd, Lucama, NC 27851, USA
The sweet theme continues with North Carolina being the largest producer of sweet potatoes in the U.S. In 2021, the state harvested more than 1.8 billion pounds of sweet potatoes. In 1995 it officially became the State Vegetable. One working farm, Scott Farms, is a sixth-generation family farm based in Lucama, North Carolina.
7. Infamous Pirate Blackbeard
North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front St, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
Imagine the summer of 1718, when the notorious Blackbeard lived in Bath, walking the streets there. What cruel things did he say to those he passed? He was killed with his crew by British sailors on Nov. 22, 1718, while hiding on Ocracoke Island.
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8. State's Oldest Town and Port
Bath, NC 27808, USA
And speaking of Bath, located 50 miles from the Atlantic Ocean on the picturesque Pamlico River, the town was incorporated in 1705 and is also the state's first port. The interesting town only has about 245 residents, but that's OK, because the history, including that of Edward Teach, draws lots of visitors.
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9. Nation's Highest Suspension Footbridge
Mile High Swinging Bridge, 2050 Blowing Rock Hwy, Linville, NC 28646, USA
Since 1952, a constant stream of hundreds of thousands of people per year visit the majestic Grandfather Mountain to walk across the Mile High Swinging Bridge and take in the 360-degree panoramic views from Grandfather Mountain’s Linville Peak.
10. One of the 1st Satellite Tracking Stations in the U.S.
Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, 1 Pari Dr, Rosman, NC 28772, USA
NASA selected this location for one of the nation’s first satellite tracking stations and construction began at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute in 1962. While operations were relocated in 1995, NASA and the Department of Defense invested several hundred million dollars in the 200-acre campus during the time in between. In 1998, the site was acquired by new owners and PARI was born.
11. The Origination of Vicks VapoRub
Greensboro, NC, USA
We have fond memories of our parents applying Vicks VapoRub when we had chest colds. The topical ointment was first sold in 1905 and manufactured by the family-owned Richardson-Vicks Inc., based in Greensboro. In 1985 it was sold to Procter & Gamble and renamed Vicks.
12. World's Largest Duncan Phyfe Chair
6 W Main St, Thomasville, NC 27360, USA
You won't forget your welcome to the charming town of Thomasville once you see this pretty, 30 feet tall, steel and concrete chair. And the seat alone is 10 feet 6 inches wide.
13. Learn the State Dance
4801 Leigh Dr, Raleigh, NC 27616, USA
The Shag was adopted in 2005 by the General Assembly
as North Carolina's official popular dance. Although the two-person dance was done to the beats of jazz and swing music in the 1920s and 1930s, the modern shag evolved into beach music.
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14. Birth of First English Child
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, 1401 National Park Dr, Manteo, NC 27954, USA
In 1587, Virginia Dare was the first English child born in America at Roanoke Island. This gorgeous statue has a story of its own and is located in the lush Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island in Manteo.
Have you learned something new from this list of fun facts about North Carolina? We know there are many more, so please share your favorites in the comments below.
Feeling proud to live in NC? You should! Check out this unique apparel from Wear Your Roots and wear your state pride on your sleeve!
And don’t forget to check out this stunning footage from Clingman’s Dome:
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