10 Interesting North Carolina Facts

One of the original 13 colonies, North Carolina facts know was the first state to instruct its delegates to vote for independence from the British crown during the Continental Congress. Following the Revolutionary War, North Carolina developed an extensive slave plantation system and became a major exporter of cotton and tobacco, although the slave population remained relatively small compared to that of other southern states. Here are the list of 10 Interesting North Carolina Facts.

1. The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill is the oldest State University in the United States.

North Carolina Facts The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill is the oldest State University

2. In 1903 the Wright Brothers made the first successful powered flight by man at Kill Devil Hill near Kitty Hawk. The Wright Memorial at Kitty Hawks now commemorates their achievement.

North Carolina Facts Wright Brothers made the first successful powered flight

3. North Carolina facts know as “Fish Town” in the early 1700′s when Blackbeard frequented the coast, “Beaufort Town” was established as a seaport with the right to collect customs, in 1722.

North Carolina facts know as Fish Town

4. Whitewater Falls in Transylvania County is the highest waterfall in the eastern United States.

North Carolina Facts Whitewater Falls

5. The University of North Carolina’s mascot, the Tarheels, is a nickname for North Carolinians that supposedly came from the days when NC produced a lot of tar, and someone saw a set of footprints made by someone who had stepped in the tar.

North Carolina Facts The University of North Carolina's mascot

6. Havelock is home of Marine Base “Cherry Point.” It is the largest air base in the Marine Corps.

North Carolina Facts Havelock is home of Marine Base Cherry Point

7. North Carolina Facts is the largest producer of sweet potatoes in the nation. Students at a Wilson County school petitioned the North Carolina General Assembly for the establishment of the sweet potato as the official state vegetable.

North Carolina Facts is the largest producer of sweet potatoes

8. The World War II battleship ‘North Carolina’ is permanently berthed on the Cape Fear River at Wilmington. She was saved from the scrap heap in the 1960′s by public subscription, including donations of dimes by schoolchildren.

North Carolina Facts Cape Fear River at Wilmington

9. The first English colony in America was located on Roanoke Island. Walter Raleigh founded it. The colony mysteriously vanished with no trace except for the word “Croatoan” scrawled on a nearby tree.

North Carolina Facts Roanoke Island

10. The Biltmore Estate in Ashville is America’s largest home, and includes a 255-room chateau, an award-winning winery and extensive gardens as the other of North Carolina Facts.

North Carolina Facts The Biltmore Estate in Ashville