From creek-side settlement to the days of the grand old Bayside Hotel, Beaufort has been a proud center for fishing, tourism and gracious living for more than three hundred years. This history explores and celebrates the communities that make up a remarkable section of eastern North Carolina.

Established in 1709, Beaufort is the third-oldest town in the state. The community is shaped by its waterside location, flanking Taylor's Creek, Town Creek, and the Newport River. Residents have long shared an attraction to the water: both commercial fishing and nationally famous laboratories for marine study have thrived in Beaufort. Visitors are drawn to the town's historic houses and architectural treasures, glimpses of a serene and gilded age. In this captivating history, author Mamre Wilson walks readers through the rich past and intriguing community that is Beaufort.