"An Insider Highlights Beaufort, North Carolina" Beaufort by MaryWarshaw

This aerial view of the Beaufort harbor was taken by Beaufort resident and renowned photographer Scott Taylor (www.scotttaylorphoto.com). It is the best overview shot I've seen that shows, not only the general layout of this little village-by-the-sea, but also one's approach by land or sea. Access by land is via Route 70 east over the bridge from Morehead (left side of photo). Approach by sea is through Beaufort Inlet between Fort Macon and Shackleford Banks. Barrier islands, Carrot Island and Bird Shoals, help protect Beaufort from the main brunt of storms, but also provide natural areas to explore.

Beaufort, NC is a 300-year old fishing village that was pretty much isolated from the interior of the state for its first two centuries. It was first settled in the early 1700's and was slow to grow. Those residents mostly lived off of and communicated by way of the sea. Sea captains, traders and even pirates found the protective barrier islands and the bight of Cape Lookout a safe haven during storms and a means to replenish provisions.

The town slowly grew-plantation owners, who traded their goods, built townhouses on the wharf. Fishermen built their small cottages. Houses were handed down from generation to generation.

Citizens met the challenges of Indians, Revolution, invasions and wars. During the Civil War the Federals took over the town after they had captured Fort Macon-within view of the waterfront. This may have been the saving grace for the distinctive old homes. Officers and troops used houses as headquarters and infirmaries, so they were not pillaged or burned.

Residents developed an oyster-canning factory, salt works, cotton gins and fish-processing plants-and even built windmills to grind grain and damed creeks to power sawmills. Exports included, for the most part, naval stores—tar, turpentine, pitch and long leaf yellow pine for spars and masts—essential materials for the construction and maintenance of wooden sailing ships.

Beaufort started as a small town and has remained so throughout its history-unique in its charm to residents and visitors.

Strolling the town is like a step back in time. The original 300-year old streets in the historic district contain more than 100 plaqued homes--all leading to the waterfront boardwalk on Taylors Creek.

To view many of the old homes and read their histories, please visit http://marywarshawprints.blogspot.com

• Pros:Visit-You Won't Want to Leave
• Cons:May Not Find Parking on the Waterfront-but Walking the Streets is Half the Fun
• In a nutshell:A Journey Back in Time........