An Afternoon in Beaufort
It was a fine afternoon in the village formerly known as “Fish Town” in 1722, when the this commerce center was established along banks on what is now known as Back Sound in this protected harbor so very close to the sea. And due to its port location, Beaufort’s earliest purpose, outside of being the dock for vessels hauling up fish, and other watery creatures from the blue waters of the Atlantic, with its warm Gulf Stream, was that of a customs town. Today, Beaufort's planked waterfront promenade serves as a gathering area for folks, and instead of levying a tariff, proprietors of other fine eatery's and barkeeps of later day establishments provide a cold, delicious beverage and a hot meal for fair compensation: The next two images below.
Most of those early buildings are gone from downtown, burned down or fallen to decay and replaced by the neo federal brick structures of the late 19th Century. An example of what still remains of those early wood frame structures is the dwelling that was once the Carteret Academy nestled between the standing masonry edifices along Beaufort's Front Street.
There were other unique historic structures, but it may be best if we explore them with images made that lovely day here below:
The residential / commercial mix that is downtown Beaufort: Above. The Joshia Bell House across the narrow side street from the structures in the image above: Below.
Just west and adjacent to the historic Methodist Church on Ann Street is the The Old Burying ground. This bit of dirt was deeded to the young customs town in 1731, and from that day forward it became the final destination has become the resting place for some of Beaufort's most historic and interesting people: Above and some of the old gravesites below.
Looking east down Front Street from the front of the of the Maritime Museum: Above and Below.
Beaufort is the county seat of Carteret County, with its county courthouse downtown: Above. In most coastal southern towns, located on public property, is the memorial to the fallen Confederate Soldiers from that terrible war. In Beaufort it is located on the grounds of the courthouse: Below.
In one of Beaufort mant ports - this time along the shore of the Newport River - is this dock for fishing boats. It was my last visage of Beaufort as I left the "Fish Town." Until I visit once again, I bid a fond fairwell.
This article provided courtesy of our sister site: Beaufort County Now