Camden County is located in the northeastern part of North Carolina, within the Inner Banks region. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, such as the Chowanoke and Weapemeoc. European settlement began in the late 1600s when English colonists moved into the region. The county was established in 1777 from the northeastern part of Pasquotank County and was named in honor of Charles Pratt, Earl of Camden, a supporter of American independence in the British Parliament. Camden County’s economy was primarily agrarian, with farming and timber industries playing crucial roles in the antebellum period. The county’s proximity to the Dismal Swamp Canal and the Albemarle Sound contributed to its economic development and trade. Today, Camden County is home to the Dismal Swamp State Park, which does an excellent job of preserving the natural beauty of the county while maintaining the historical significance of the Dismal Swamp Canal.
