Princeville, Founded by African Americans, Incorporated 1885 (2024)

OnFebruary 20, 1885,22 years after Emancipation, freedmen in Edgecombe County incorporated Princeville, the state’s firsttown founded by African Americans.

Its claim to first in the nation is rivaled only by Eatonville, Florida. Along with James City in Craven County and Roanoke Island in Dare County, the community was among the state’s three resettlement colonies for former slaves.

Princeville, Founded by African Americans, Incorporated 1885 (2)

At the close of the Civil War, Union troops occupied the Tarboro area. Formerly enslaved people fromsurrounding counties left their plantations and flocked to the Federal encampment seeking freedom and protection. The future faced by the mostly illiterate, unskilled and penniless freedmen was uncertain and bleak.

Adopting the name Freedom Hill from a nearby knoll from which Northern soldiers addressed the refugees, the community’s first families camped alongside the river and erected crude shanties. White landowners made no effort to evict them from the land, it being so swampy as to be otherwise useless.

In the 1870s the land did change hands and residents began acquiring lots. One of the buyers was Turner Prince, a carpenter for whom the community was renamed upon its incorporation.

National attention was drawn to Princeville in September 1999 when flooding associated with Hurricane Floyd devastated the area.

Image from State Archives.

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Princeville, Founded by African Americans, Incorporated 1885 (2024)

FAQs

Why is Princeville significant? ›

Princeville is the oldest town incorporated by African- Americans in the United States. Settled just after the Civil War in 1865, it was originally called Freedom Hill by the freed slaves who created a new life there.

What happened to Princeville, NC? ›

Between the years of 1800 and 1958 the Tar River flooded the area seven times. In 1965, the Princeville Dike was built by the Army Corps of Engineers. In 1999, heavy rains from Hurricane Floyd flooded the area, caused the dike to fail and, once again, the Town was submerged.

When was Princeville, NC founded? ›

20, 1865: Black Town of Princeville, N. Carolina Founded. Princeville, North Carolina originated in 1865 as a resettlement community for freed people.

What was the first black town in NC? ›

Princeville is a town in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, United States established by freed slaves after the Civil War. It was established in 1865 and known as Freedom Hill. It was incorporated in 1885 as Princeville, the first independently governed African American community chartered in the United States.

Why is Princeville called Princeville? ›

In 1860 Wyllie named his sugar plantation Princeville to honor the visit of two-year-old Prince Albert Edward Kauikeaouli Lei O Papa a Kamehameha and his parents, King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma.

What black town in NC flooded? ›

Princeville, North Carolina, was established in 1865. The oldest Black-chartered town in America, Princeville, N.C., is seeking solutions to its ongoing flooding issues. Princeville has endured nine natural disasters, including hurricanes and floods, since its establishment in 1865.

What was the black beach resort that almost changed North Carolina? ›

Built by white developers in 1923 on a 70-acre strip of sand north of Wrightsville Beach, the Shell Island Resort was one of the first places where Blacks could go to enjoy the beach in the oppressive Jim Crow America.

Is Princeville water safe to drink? ›

The water is safe to drink.

Who owns Princeville? ›

Starwood Capital acquired the Princeville Resort in 2018.

Can you swim in Princeville? ›

Anini Beach Near Princeville Resort Offers Scenic Beauty

On this Kauai beach near Princeville Resort, you can snorkel the longest and widest reef in the Hawaiian islands and swim in safe, shallow water during summer.

Is Princeville worth a visit? ›

Top Attractions in Princeville

Includes chocolate and fruit tastings, with insights into chocolate's history. Scenic lookout showcasing a lush valley panorama with taro fields and cascading waterfalls. Ideal for a brief photo stop despite limited parking; views vary with weather and time.

Where is the oldest town in North Carolina? ›

European settlement near the Pamlico River in the 1690s led to the creation of Bath, North Carolina's first town, in 1705. The town's location seemed ideal with easy access to the river and the Atlantic Ocean 50 miles away at Ocraco*ke Inlet.

Where was slavery in NC? ›

Traffickers used four main routes through Appalachia to traffic Black Americans further south. The eastern route ran through Burke County, the most involved county in North Carolina's slave trafficking. The route then went to Charleston and then further south to Alabama.

What is the most black town in the US? ›

Jackson, Mississippi has the highest percentage of African Americans among cities in the United States, accounting for more than 80% of the city's population. It is often referred to as the blackest city in America.

What is the abandoned city in NC? ›

The creepiest ghost town in North Carolina is Brunswick Town, a site that was destroyed by British forces during the Revolutionary War. Here's what the site had to say: "Lots to unpack here. Brunswick offers a unique glimpse into the history of both the American Revolution and the Civil War.

What is Princeville Hawaii known for? ›

What Is it Best Known For? Princeville is known for its stunning natural beauty, dramatic cliffsides with views of the Pacific, and master-planned community of upscale homes.

What is the significance of Kauai? ›

Kauai is well known as being the only island that was never conquered by King Kamehameha in his attempt to unite all of the islands. Kauai's king, King Kaumuali'i eventually came to a peaceful resolution with Kamehameha and served as governor during King Kamehameha's reign over the united Hawaiian Kingdom.

What is the north shore of Kauai known for? ›

Kauai North Shore can be summed up in one word: Paradise! There are waterfalls, verdant valleys, white sand beaches, lush jungles, tropical flowers, and quaint, laid-back communities.

Is Princeville better than Poipu? ›

When comparing Princeville to Poipu: where should you stay? Pick Princeville if you're visiting in the summer months and want to enjoy a lush, green landscape (with maybe a little rain). Book in Poipu if you want a better chance of sunny weather year-round and more resort options.

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