Set in the rolling coastal plain of eastern North Carolina, Craven County is a small but historically remarkable county with one of the most layered stories in American colonial history. With roots reaching back to 1705, a county seat in New Bern, NC that served as North Carolina’s colonial and state capital for more than two decades, an extraordinary collection of early-American landmarks, and a coastal setting along the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, Craven County rewards visitors with a depth of history that few other places in the state can match. Click on the community below to dive deeper into the places we’ve personally explored throughout Craven County.
A Coastal County with Colonial Roots
Craven County’s history stretches back to the earliest days of European settlement in North Carolina. Originally established in 1705 as Archdale Precinct of the colonial-era Bath County, the precinct was renamed Craven Precinct in 1712 in honor of William Craven, Earl of Craven — one of the eight Lords Proprietors of the Carolina colony. When the original colonial Bath County was formally dissolved in 1739, and its constituent precincts each became counties in their own right, Craven County took its current form.
The geographic heart of the county is New Bern, which sits at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers near the headwaters of Pamlico Sound. The city was founded in October 1710 by Baron Christoph von Graffenried, a Swiss nobleman who led a group of approximately 400 Swiss colonists from Bern and German Palatines to establish a new settlement on land between the rivers. They named their new home after Bern, the Swiss capital that many of the colonists had left behind.
New Bern remains the second-oldest European-settled colonial town in North Carolina — only the historic town of Bath, founded in 1705, is older.
New Bern and the Birth of a State Capital
New Bern’s significance only grew throughout the colonial era. After being incorporated in 1723, the town served as the primary seat of colonial government in the 1740s, hosting frequent meetings of the colonial assembly. In 1766, the colonial government officially voted to make New Bern the colony’s capital — a decision that led directly to the construction of one of the most important buildings in early American history.
That decision also placed New Bern at the center of the lead-up to the American Revolution. In 1774, the first Provincial Congress in the American colonies met at Tryon Palace in New Bern — a bold act of defiance against direct British orders. After American independence, New Bern continued as the state capital until 1792, when the new state government relocated to Raleigh as the permanent capital.
The Tryon Palace Story
The grandest physical legacy of New Bern’s capital era is Tryon Palace — the colonial Governor’s mansion completed in 1770 by English architect John Hawks for Royal Governor William Tryon. Built in the elegant Georgian style, the palace was described by historian William Powell as “the finest government house in the colonies.” It served as the home of Royal Governors William Tryon and Josiah Martin and later as a residence for early state governors, including Richard Caswell, Abner Nash, Alexander Martin, and Richard D. Spaight.
After Raleigh became the state capital, Tryon Palace fell into disrepair, and the main building burned in 1798. The structure was lost for nearly 150 years until the Tryon Palace Commission was established in 1945 to plan its reconstruction, with the restored palace and gardens opening as a historic museum in 1959.
Today, the complex includes the meticulously reconstructed palace, three centuries-themed gardens spanning 14 acres, multiple historic homes, and the modern North Carolina History Center — making it one of the most ambitious historic preservation projects in the state.
Firsts in North Carolina: A Newspaper, a School, and a Soft Drink
Craven County’s contributions to North Carolina history reach well beyond Tryon Palace. In 1751, James Davis published the North-Carolina Gazette in New Bern — the first newspaper printed in North Carolina, with publication continuing through 1784. Just over a decade later, the New Bern Academy was established in 1764 as the first chartered school in North Carolina, and eventually counted notable students such as William Gaston and Richard D. Spaight Jr. among its alumni.
In the late 1890s, a young pharmacist named Caleb Bradham mixed a sweet, fizzy concoction at his New Bern pharmacy — a drink he marketed as a digestive aid. He called it Pepsi-Cola, and the rest, as they say, is global beverage history. The former Bradham pharmacy in downtown New Bern — now known as the Birthplace of Pepsi — remains a beloved attraction for visitors.
Civil War, Cherry Point, and Modern Craven County
Like much of eastern North Carolina, Craven County played an important role in the Civil War. In March 1862, Union forces attacked and captured New Bern after a major battle. The city remained under Union control for the rest of the war, becoming a critical Federal supply hub and a safe haven for escaped slaves seeking refuge behind Union lines.
In the 20th century, Craven County’s prominence grew through the construction of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in the town of Havelock. Authorized by Congress on July 9, 1941, the 8,000-acre installation was built in record time — with construction beginning just 17 days before the attack on Pearl Harbor. During World War II, MCAS Cherry Point trained Marines for service in the Pacific theater, and the base remains one of the largest Marine Corps Air Stations in the world today.
With a population of roughly 100,000 residents countywide, Craven County today combines its remarkable historical legacy with a thriving coastal economy anchored in healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and military service.
Discover the Communities of Craven County
Explore the communities we’ve personally visited in Craven County, starting with the historic county seat of New Bern. Click on the image below to dive deeper into one of the most historically significant cities in the American South.
