Since the 1880s, folks from all over the Atlantic region have chosen North Carolina as prime real estate for a vacation. As residents, we have to agree and give credit where credit is due: North Carolina is knock out, an irresistible temptation folks from near and afar turn to time and again for both rest and relaxation and adventures found nowhere else.

By the 1920s, the state got serious about inviting visitors to explore North Carolina.
YouTube/U.S. National Archives
That's when the Department of Conservation and Development officially began promoting the state as a tourist destination.
An official advertising budget was created in 1933.
YouTube/U.S. National Archives
It was under the guidance of the Bureau of State Advertising and featured ads promoting the most popular destinations in the state.

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Fast forward to the 1950s and tourism had begun to be a major source of income for the state and the businesses here.
YouTube/U.S. National Archives
By then, most segments of the Blue Ridge Parkway had been completed.
YouTube/U.S. National Archives
And a number of state parks constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps were among the most popular of destinations — especially as camping began to increase in popularity.
To the east, beaches and resorts created millions of memories for visitors (and locals, too).
YouTube/U.S. National Archives
In 1950, tourism has climbed to a record $100 million dollars annually for the state and it's steadily climbed from there. In more recent years, the annual income is approaching $4 billion dollars per year. A tremendous amount of work goes into attracting tourists to destinations all over the Tar Heel State, whether they're coming from our own population base or from out of state.

To that end, let's take a little stroll down memory lane with the following 1950s promotional video from youtube user: U.S. National Archives. What a trip! (Turn up the volume, the music is great, too.)

Do you remember early vacations taken in North Carolina? What were the places you and your family would return to year after year? Have a spot you absolutely love (from then or now) that you’d like to see us feature here? You can nominate it for a future article at this link. Feel free to pull out your old photos and upload them with your suggestions!

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