The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1956-12-14
BELHAVEN'S HISTORYGIVEN
Towns Development Prior to About 1890 Covered in Old
Article Written by P. II. johnson

from Maryland came to Belhaven,
built factories, and began opening
and shipping oysters on a large
scale. So many shells were obtain
ed in this manner that the railroad
was ballasted with them for many
miles.
In 1905, the Interstate Cooper
age Co., a Standard Oil subsidiary,
came to BelhAven and constructed
mammoth mill for making slaves,
came a large town overnight. The
in a. short time, and Belhaven be-
headings, and box shocks for max
ing containers for their products,
spending close to a million dollars
men, and the prices of real estate
advanced so rapidly every man in
town became a real estate dealer.
In March, 1907, new charter was
obtained, and the boundaries ex-
tended so as to include about 1900
acres lying along the Pantego
River for distance of two miles
from its mouth. At that time, the
town had about 5000 inhabitants,
and it still maintains about the
same population.
In 1928, the Belhaven link in
the great Inland Waterway con-
Meeting the North and the South
by an inland route was completed,
and on August Both, in that year,
a great celebration of that event
was held in the town, and so great
was the interest that it was esti-
mated that there were at least
10000 people in attendance. A
short time thereafter, the govern
ment deepened the water in the
harbor and constructed a great
turning basin which will accomo-
date any boat which can come
through the canal.
One of the mills has ceased to
operate, but the Cooperage mill is
still running, and the town is hold
ing its own as well perhaps as any
in the state in the face of this de-
preston. 1t is a source of pride
to its citizens that during the past
ten years there has not been a
business failure in the town.
Resources
Water: The extensive river
frontage affords Belhaven one of
the most beautiful waterfronts to
be found in this or any other state.
Standing on the point, you can
look up Pungo River more than
four miles to the eastward. and to
the southeast, you can see down
the river for ten miles to where
it joins Pamlico River and Pamlico
Sound, and thence you have an un-
obstructed view as far as the eve
can see. The shoal waters along
its shores offer fine salt water
bathing with an assurance of per-
feet safety for all regardless of
size. The large bodies of shallow
water are especially desirable for
boating of all kinds. 1t has a mag
niflcent harbor and the finest sys-
tenn of docks to be found in any
city in the state.
1t is an easy days sail from
Norfolk or Beaufort and is the on
ly point between the two cities on
the Inland Waterway which offers
combined mail and telegraph facil-
tiles together with an opportunity
to purchase fresh fruits, vege-
tables, and all other supplies. Both
the Standard Oil Co. and the Texas
Oil Co. have magnificent docks
and tanks for the service of yachts
desiring to refuel.
1t is a logical port of call for all
kinds of boats which ply through
the Inland Waterway between the
North and South, thus avoiding the
dangerous shoals at Cape Hat
teras.
Its salt water rivers and the
fresh water creeks emptying there
in furnish the best hook and line
and rod and reel fishing to be
found in the state. Commercial
fishing in the vicinity is carried
on on a large scale. Crabs are
caught in large quantities, and
there are three crab factories in
town.
Large quantities Of oysters are
caught within few miles of the
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