Fun Facts about Washington,
North Carolina
All-America City 1993
Washington is located at the
junction of the Tar and Pamlico rivers, the gateway to the second largest
estuary on the East Coast, the Pamlico-Albemarle sounds. We are home to
the North Carolina Estuarium, the state's only environmental education
center devoted exclusively to interpreting the ecology and science of
estuaries.
Washington served as a federal
supply outpost during the Revolutionary War.
Twice Washington has rebuilt
after devastating fires destroyed many of the city's early homes and waterfront
business district. The first fires occurred during the Civil War and the
second in 1900.
Washington is home to one of
the largest commercial and residential historic districts in North Carolina
featuring Victorian era homes and commercial buildings. Several ante-bellum
structures survived the fires of 1864 and 1900.
Among the famous citizens and
personalities who have called Washington home are film producer Cecil
B. DeMille (The Ten Commandments), actor Murray Hamilton (The
Graduate, Jaws), journalist Charles Kuralt, U.S. Congressman and first
U.S. Comptroller General Lindsay Warren, U.S. Congressman Herbert Bonner,
Governor Daniel Fowle, publishing magnate and diplomat Josephus Daniels,
pioneering woman physician Susan Dimock, professional basketball player
Dominique Wilkins, and CNN News Anchor Carl Rochelle.
In May 1993 Washington won
the prestigious All-America City Award, which recognizes communities where
organizations cooperate to improve the community. After receiving the
award, Washington officials were honored by an invitation to meet with
President Clinton at the White House and by resolutions in the N.C. General
Assembly.
Because of Washington's mild
climate, beautiful natural surroundings, historic setting and location
near a major university and medical center (East Carolina University and
School of Medicine), the area is growing in popularity as a retirement
destination.
Facts
about the Area
Agriculture
Agriculture generates $100
million a year in income for Beaufort County.
Beaufort County is also an
important agricultural producer in North Carolina.
- Top producer in the state
for wheat and corn
- Second largest producer
in the state for soybeans
- Produces 60 percent of all
certified seed in North Carolina
- Top producer in the state
for farm-raised fish
The commercial seafood industry
is important to our area. Our neighbor Belhaven is home to the largest
crab meat packing plant in the south. Washington also is home to a crab
meat processing plant and a seafood wholesaling business.
Industry
PCS Phosphate in Aurora is
one of the world's largest phosphate mining operations. Many years
ago this area was covered by the ocean. Decayed sealife produced the rich
phosphate vein as well as the shark's teeth that are unearthed today.
Hackney Industries in Washington
is the world's largest aluminum truck body manufacturer.
Weyerhaeuser is our county's
largest land owner. The company raises pine trees on tree farms for pulp
wood.
Fountain Powerboats crafts
speed boats that are sought by buyers from all over the world.
Other diverse industries based
here: diesel fuel pumps and filters, industrial filters, textile yarns,
retail display cases, and valves for power plants.
Recreation
Washington is 25 nautical miles
from the Intracoastal Waterway.
The Pamlico River and Sound
are ideal for sailing and power boating.
Dove, deer and duck hunting
are popular pastimes when in season.
Recreational fishing is another
favorite pastime. Washington hosts bass fishing tournaments regularly.
Facilities are available for
golfing, tennis and year-round swimming.