Tarboro
| Incorporated in 1760, Tarboro is one of the oldest towns in the United States. It has preserved much of its history and has developed one of the most active historic preservation programs in North Carolina. The town still has its original Town Common, a 15-acre park canopied by tall oaks that marks the threshold to the 45-block Tarboro Historic District. Here you can find colonial, antebellum and Victorian homes dressed up with elegant columns, ornate gingerbread trim, stately porticos, soaring chimneys, bay windows and-of course-porches of every size and description. A Historic District National Recreation Trail guides visitors through this area of historical and architectural significance. |
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Adjacent to the Historic District, visitors can enjoy shopping and dining in the thriving historic downtown area. Thanks to preservation-minded citizens, the State of North Carolina, and a Main Street grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the commercial district has been lovingly preserved and revitalized, and stands worlds apart from the crush of an urban mall.
Many early Tarboro citizens ventured into manufacturing, though agriculture had long been the major industry. The area prospered, and by 1850 was widely known as "Tawboro", a name attributed to "Taw," the Indian word for "river of health." Through the centuries, progressive leadership has led to growth and prosperity. Today, Tarboro thrives as an All-America City with a strong, viable economic base, and is noted for its consistent support of industry and business.
A variety of shopping centers and modern residential areas complement the downtown historic areas, providing residents with convenient access to goods and services and quality housing of varying styles and prices.
Located only 72 miles from Raleigh, Tarboro is strategically positioned between the Piedmont and the Outer Banks, making it a central location for those who enjoy the excitement of North Carolina's cities, and the relaxation of its Inner Banks coast. Tarboro is an excellent place in which to live and invest. The friendly residents roll out the red carpet for visitors and prospective community members, and especially for those active retirees who are searching for a quality of life that is unsurpassed.
Affordable housing, a mild climate, cultural and educational amenities, quality medical care and easy access to interstate travel corridors make this historic village a hidden jewel. Its restored downtown, with red brick sidewalks, tree lined streets and homes with alluring front porches, is reminiscent of storybook living.
There are endless reasons to choose this charming southern town as the place to settle but the most compelling has nothing to do with its beauty or historic significance or even its affordability. It has to do with the intangibles that make life worth living: the people, and their activities, their community involvement, and their sense of pride in the town and its quality of life. Just ask any of the over 11,000 people who already call Tarboro home: they're proud of their past, their future, and their diversity, and they welcome you to join them.
In Tarboro, a front porch is more than part of a house. It's a symbol of a way of life that's easy, open, and relaxed-yet casually elegant. It's no surprise that Tarboro has become a regular stop on tours associated with The History Channel, The Victorian Society, The Smithsonian and Historic Albemarle.
Developers all across America are trying to build neighborhoods that recapture the character of towns just like Tarboro: houses linked by sidewalks, with yards and front porches from which both strangers and neighbors are greeted as friends; convenient shops where shopkeepers know you by name. All contribute to a congenial community where a stroll down the street is a stroll through history. There are many great towns in the South, but Tarboro reigns as one of the most charming historic places you'll ever experience. Welcome to the Inner Banks!
To learn more about Tarboro, please visit www.tarboro-nc.com or call (252) 641-4200.
