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When I think of beautiful inland coastlines (that is, bodies of water that cannot be called straits or oceans), three immediately come to mind: our own New Bern, of course, Edenton, and “Little” Washington. The last two are a day trip away and worth visiting whether you’re interested in architecture, shopping, history, or relaxing on huge rivers. Each town has its own unique character.
Let’s take a look at Washington.
The Introduction: Sometime in the 1770s, the town had the unique name of Forks of the Tar. A sort of patriotic fervor swept the place and in 1776 it changed its name in honor of a certain general with teeth and future first president. With a population of about 10,000, it is a small town.
We call it “Little Washington” to distinguish it from its more famous cousin—you know, the place with the White House and the Capitol and the towering monument to a certain first president (the one with the dentures, you know).
The city’s greatest historical significance came during the Civil War, when it was finally controlled as a Union city and was subjected to several attacks during the war: A North Carolina general, Robert F. Hoke, had captured nearby Plymouth in March 1864 and subsequently laid siege to Washington. The occupying Union forces responded by looting and devastating the city – even though they had held it since March 1862. Fires were set – almost certainly by Union troops – and nearly half the city burned down.
Washington has at least one famous son – film director Cecil B. DeMille lived here as a child (though he was born in Massachusetts) and spent much of his childhood here. He is best known for his 1956 biblical masterpiece The Ten Commandments (1923). After his death in 1959, he was buried in Hollywood, but a funeral service was held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Washington, and his family plot is located there.
Historical markers point to Mr. DeMille, and the local theater, the Turnage, has a dressing room named after him. You’d think the town would hold an event to part the Pamlico River in his honor, but I’ve never heard of it.
The Turnage itself is one of the most beautiful theatre buildings I have ever seen – a beautiful building with great acoustics. The theatre also has an art gallery that changes every month or so; both are well worth a visit.
What else is there to do? There are numerous small shops and restaurants, waterfront parks (don’t forget to pose with the giant bear), an exquisitely maintained cemetery at St. Peter’s Episcopal with tombs dating back to the mid-18th century. Boating is excellent and so is fishing.
You can find out more about “Little” Washington here.
