Visit Elizabeth City’s Civil War Sites and the Aviation Trail
Civil War Sites: The “Elizabeth City Civil War Trails Tour” weaves together the history of Union occupation in Elizabeth City through real-life accounts of arson, ambush, guerrilla warfare-and the tragic tale of a family murdered on a trip to town. Pick up a copy of the Elizabeth City Civil War Trail Markers Tour brochure at the Visitors Bureau. Then view six markers (within walking distance of the downtown area) that depict events that took place in Elizabeth City from 1862-1863. (see brochure)
Battle of Elizabeth City
February 10, 1861, Waterfront Park. Union Commander Stephen C. Rowan disposed of Confederate Commodore William F. Lynch’s “Mosquito Fleet,” which had been “annoying U.S. naval vessels.” Rowan’s troops occupied Elizabeth City. For the remainder of the war, North Carolina’s coastal rivers remained in Union hands. (S. Water Street)
The Burning of Elizabeth City
Feb. 10, 1862, N. Elliot Street and E. Colonial Avenue. Local secessionists, who preferred to see Elizabeth City burn rather than under Federal control, asked Col. Charles Frederick Henningsen to set it afire as he evacuated his force. The fire destroyed the courthouse and about two-thirds of the town before Unionists put out the fires. (N. Elliot Street and E. Colonial Avenue)
Ambush of Sanders and McCabe
Jan. 5, 1863, N. Elliot Street and E. Colonial Avenue. Confederate guerillas shot and killed two men – Lt. Nathaniel H. Sanders, 1st N.C. Volunteers, and Unionist civilian Joseph T. McCabe, a former Confederate soldier – as they returned from an Emancipation party. The guerillas were captured and imprisoned. (N. Pool Street)
Place of Execution
Feb. 9, 1863, Waterfront Park. The guerilla war in Elizabeth City reached a new level when Lt. Thaddeus Cox, Co. D., 1st N.C. Volunteers rode 16 miles into the country to bring his family to town. On return, a gang of guerillas attacked Cox, killing him, his pregnant wife and four-year old daughter. Unionists asked company commander Capt. Enos C. Sanders to shoot all the jailed prisoners captured during the January attack. One prisoner, Addison White, was executed on the Waterfront. (Waterfront Park)
1st U.S.C.T Occupies the Town
August, 1863, N. Poindexter St. The first U.S. Colored Troops encamped between what is now E. Burgess St. and the Pasquotank River as a part of a garrison for Elizabeth City. The troops hoped to encourage the enlistment of area African Americans and to suppress guerilla activity. (N Poindexter St.)
Petition “...universal panic and distress”
December 1863, E. Main Street. Almost everyone in and around Elizabeth City had had enough of the violence and bloodshed. Local citizens convened meetings petitioning Union Gen. Benjamin F. Butler and N.C. Gov. Zebulon B. Vance to withdraw Federal and Confederate forces from the area. Their attempt to “secede from the secession” failed, and the guerillas continued to operate despite similar resolutions passed in four neighboring counties. (E. Main St.)
Aviation Trail: Learn about the visits that the Wright Brothers made to Elizabeth City during their quest to make their dreams of taking flight become reality. Imagine standing in the same locations as these brothers whose vision changed the way we travel. Most of the markers are in the downtown area, the others are within easy driving distance. Download the Elizabeth City Aviation Trail guide and map.
Waterfront Park
The “world’s first flight crew” were the surf men of the U.S. Lifesaving Stations along the Outer Banks. The Wright brothers relied on them as they tested their experimental aircraft (1900-1903). The Service evolved into the U.S. Coast Guard (1915). (508 S Water St, Elizabeth City, NC 27909)
Mariners’ Wharf
On Water Street, was where Wilbur Wright contracted Captain Israel Perry to sail his Curlicue with Wright and provisions on board to Kitty Hawk on September 11, 1900. (South Water Street Elizabeth City, NC 27909)
The Tar Heel
The “world’s first flight crew” were the surf men of the U.S. Lifesaving Stations along the Outer Banks. The Wright brothers relied on them as they tested their experimental aircraft (1900-1903). The Service evolved into the U.S. Coast Guard (1915). (508 S Water St, Elizabeth City, NC 27909)
Arlington Hotel
Wilbur Wright stayed at the Arlington Hotel during his first trip to Elizabeth City. The site, now residential condominiums on Water Street, marks the starting point for Wright’s quest to find someone to locate Kitty Hawk and to take him there. (Water Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909)
N.G. Grandy Company
In 1902, the Wright brothers purchased a barrel of oil from the N.G. Grandy Company located on Water Street. This was the first distribution point for Standard Oil Company in the area. (Water Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909)
The Brown Building
Home of The Daily Economist, a local newspaper, that provided the world with the first interviews with Orville and Wilber Wright after their successful heavier-than-air flight on December 17, 1903. The interview took place at the Arlington Hotel on Water St. (Water Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909)
North Carolinian newspaper building
At 106 E. Main Street housed the offices where initial stories of the Wright Brothers’ work toward flight were reported. (106 E. Main Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909)
Elizabeth City Middle School
The general location of the Kramer Mill Company from which Orville and Wilbur Wright bought lumber and materials for their experiments and eventually their first powered flight. (306 N. Road Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909)
Mid-Atlantic Christian University
Once was the site of the Norfolk-Southern Railroad Depot where Wilbur Wright first arrived in Elizabeth City on September 8, 1900. (715 N. Poindexter Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909
(Aviation Today) United States Coast Guard Base
Home of one of the largest USCG bases in the nation. In addition to the Air Station’s search and rescue operations, the Aircraft Repair & Supply Center is the main repair depot for the Coast Guard’s helicopters and airplanes as well as training facilities. (1664 Weeksville Rd, Elizabeth City, NC 27909, (252) 335-6000)
(Aviation Today) TCOM
Lighter-than-air ships have had a major impact on Elizabeth City’s history and economy. It is not uncommon to see blimps flying high about the city as they make their approaches to the TCOM hangar located in the Weeksville section of Pasquotank County. Visitor wishing to tour the facility will get the opportunity to learn about the U.S. Navy’s lighter-than-air history in Elizabeth City as well as view the company’s plant. Tours are often available on Wednesdays at 3:00 pm and may be arranged by calling 252-330-5555 or 338-3200. Each tour lasts about 30-45 minutes. Visitors will not be allowed on the premises without prior arrangements. (190 T Com Dr., Weeksville, NC)
Stop by ECSU’s Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center to check local student’s work
Address:1704 Weeksville Rd. Elizabeth City NC 27909
The construction of this historic courthouse began in 1846. It’s a Greek revival brick structure with a portico of four massive columns setting on brick piers. Throughout the Civil War and late 1800’s, it was used as a courthouse, meeting place, and military encampment.
Head 25 miles north to historic Whalehead Club in historic Corolla village.
Take a trip back to the 1920s when this residence was known as the Whalehead Hunting Club. Now the building is open for public museum tours where one can hear the history and see the beautiful architecture of this restored Art Nouveau style residence.
Address: 1100 Club Rd, Corolla, NC 27927
Phone: (252) 453-9040
Aviation Trail: Learn about the visits that the Wright Brothers made to Elizabeth City during their quest to make their dreams of taking flight become reality. Imagine standing in the same locations as these brothers whose vision changed the way we travel. Most of the markers are in the downtown area, the others are within easy driving distance. Download the Elizabeth City Aviation Trail guide and map.
Stop at Camden’s Historic Courthouse on US 158
Search
HarborCam
Email Sign-Up
Home
