This marker is along the shoreline of the Pasquotank River and next to Mariners' Wharf. There is…read morenearby parking to stop and read the marker. It has the same text on both sides. It reads, "Culpepper's Rebellion. Culpeper and Durant led a revolt against British trade laws, seized the government 1677, 2 miles southeast." Culpeper's Rebellion (1677-1678) was a grassroots revolt here in Albemarle County, driven by anger over British trade restrictions and the oppressive rule of British agents. The Navigation Acts, which taxed goods moving between colonies, intensified local frustrations, especially as the Proprietors continued appointing officials who limited colonists' rights. The crisis peaked when Thomas Miller, acting governor and enforcer of the trade laws, abused his power by manipulating elections and punishing dissenters. In response, John Culpeper, John Jenkins, and George Durant led an armed takeover, imprisoning Miller and running the colony themselves for two years with greater stability. Culpeper was later tried for treason in England but acquitted, revealing the vulnerability of proprietary rule and the growing assertiveness of colonial self-governance. There is more information online. This is marker number A-21 and it was erected in 1940 by the Department of Conservation and Development. [Review 992 of 2025 - 4354 in North Carolina - 24546 overall]

Just steps from Mariners' Wharf Park in Elizabeth City--where visitors will find convenient parking…read moreand scenic views of the Pasquotank River--stands a historical marker honoring one of North Carolina's most influential public figures: John Christoph Blucher Ehringhaus. Born nearby in 1882, Ehringhaus rose from his coastal hometown to become the 58th Governor of North Carolina, serving from 1933 to 1937 during the height of the Great Depression. Known as the "Depression Governor," he balanced the state's budget through difficult reforms, including the introduction of a statewide sales tax, while also championing public education, rural electrification, and penal reform. The marker, designated A-39 by the North Carolina Division of Archives and History, commemorates Ehringhaus's legacy as a legislator, solicitor, and advocate for progress. It notes his birthplace just a quarter mile north of its location, inviting passersby to reflect on the local roots of a man whose policies shaped the state's modern infrastructure and educational system. Ehringhaus's early support for East Carolina Teachers Training School--now East Carolina University--underscores his lifelong commitment to learning and opportunity. Today, the marker serves not only as a tribute but also as a gateway to understanding the civic history of Elizabeth City and the enduring impact of its native son. It reads, "Governor, 1933-1937, friend of education, member of General Assembly, solicitor. Birthplace 1/4 mile north." [Review 996 of 2025 - 4356 in North Carolina - 24550 overall]

This marker is located along the waterfront in Elizabeth City and points out this important…read moreindustry that was launched right here. The marker reads, "Soybean Processing. In 1915 W.T. Culpepper launched the soybean oil industry in the United States at Elizabeth City Oil & Fertilizer Co., 1 mile northeast." After the boll weevil crippled North Carolina's cotton industry, the Elizabeth City Oil and Fertilizer Company made history in 1915 by producing the first commercial domestic soybean oil--without altering its cottonseed equipment. Led by William Thomas Culpepper, the plant's success sparked statewide adoption, transforming soybeans from livestock forage into a vital crop thanks to George Washington Carver's earlier research on their nutritional and soil-replenishing benefits. Thriving in the region's climate, soybeans soon became a cornerstone of North Carolina agriculture, with the now-vanished Elizabeth City plant marking a pivotal shift in farming and industry. There is more information online. [Review 983 of 2025 - 4353 in North Carolina - 24537 overall]

This marker is along Plymouth's Main Street and points out the history that happened not far away…read more As a port city along the river, it was hotly contested by both sides during the Civil War and this is one of those encounters. It reads, "Naval Action. The Confederate ironclad ram "Albemarle" sank the Union gunboat "Southfield", April 19, 1864, one mile northeast in the Roanoke River." Union General Henry W. Wessells and about 3,000 troops occupied Plymouth in December 1862, fortifying the town against land and sea attacks. In April 1864, Confederate General Robert F. Hoke launched a coordinated assault with over 5,000 men, supported by the ironclad Albemarle, which played a decisive role by sinking Union ships and bombarding defenses. After intense fighting, Fort Wessells fell on April 18, and the Albemarle continued its offensive through the night. On April 20, a final Confederate assault overwhelmed the remaining Union positions, leading to the surrender of Fort Williams and the town by midmorning. It is marker number BBB-8 and it was erected in 1961 by the Archives and Highway Departments and the Confederate Centennial Commission. [Review 821 of 2025 - 4251 in North Carolina - 24380 overall]

This marker points out the history of a local who was born here and then went on to travel the…read moreworld doing great things. It has the same text on both sides. It reads, "Edward Warren. Born in Tyrrell County, 1828, Surgeon General of N.C., 1862-65, Professor of Surgery in Maryland, Chief Surgeon of Egypt, Died in Paris." It is marker number B-20 and it was erected in 1941 by the North Carolina State Historical Commission. Edward Warren was the son of Edenton physician Dr. William C. Warren and Harriet J. Alexander Warren. Influenced by his father's profession, Warren pursued a rigorous education, attending boarding schools in Virginia and North Carolina. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia in 1850 and completed his medical training at Jefferson Medical College in 1851. Warren later became North Carolina's surgeon general and served as senior medical officer to the Egyptian khedive. Edward Warren's life was defined by a remarkable blend of medical expertise, international service, and literary accomplishment. After early practice with his father, he pursued advanced studies in Paris and contributed to medical journalism. His return to North Carolina led to editorial work and a professorship in Maryland, where he focused on malaria following his wife's illness. During the Civil War, Warren served the Confederacy in prominent medical roles, including surgeon general. Postwar, he helped found a medical college in Maryland before accepting a distinguished appointment in Egypt as chief of medicine to the khedive. His successful surgery on a high-ranking official earned him the honorary title "bey," but illness forced him to relocate to Paris, where he continued his practice. Despite personal tragedy with the loss of his wife, Warren remained in France until his death in 1893. He was honored by multiple nations and institutions, and his writings--spanning poetry, medical theory, and autobiography--cemented his legacy as a physician of global influence and intellectual depth. [Review 851 of 2025 - 4281 in North Carolina - 24408 overall] [9/20]

More than merely a steel and concrete structure, the contemporary Jim "Catfish" Hunter Bridge…read morehonors a local legend and represents Hertford's changing relationship with the Perquimans River. James Augustus "Catfish" Hunter, a native of Perquimans County who became a national celebrity as a Hall of Fame pitcher for the Oakland A's and New York Yankees, is honored by the bridge, which was formally designated in 2015 by the North Carolina Board of Transportation. Hunter, who was well-known for his 1968 perfect game and five World Series victories, had a strong bond with his community until his death from ALS in 1999. The bridge itself avoids Hertford's historic downtown by crossing the Perquimans River with U.S. Highway 17. It was constructed to meet the demands of contemporary traffic, providing a fast path to Elizabeth City and beyond. The Jim "Catfish" Hunter Bridge is a practical structure that is straight, high, and built for efficiency. Its naming was a deliberate act of remembrance. Local officials and residents wanted to ensure that Hunter's legacy wasn't confined to baseball statistics or distant stadiums. By placing his name on a major piece of infrastructure, they embedded his story into the daily rhythm of the region. It's a quiet kind of monument--one that doesn't demand attention but offers it to those who know where to look. [Review 874 of 2025 - 4302 in North Carolina - 24431 overall]

Passing through downtown Plymouth and spotting this lovely home and the marker in front. It is…read moreclearly private property so I did not approach on a Sunday evening. You may want to try that if you're here. The marker reads, "Built by Charles Latham who occupied the house until 1882. Home was occupied for decades by descendants of its builder, a Lawyer, County Sheriff, and State Representative. During the battle of Plymouth, town residents sought protection in the basement. Musket ball holes remain in the house." There is no marker number but it was erected in 1998 by the Washington County Bicentennial Commission. [Review 822 of 2025 - 4252 in North Carolina - 24381 overall]

The Pasquotank River Bridge carries US Route 159 over the river in Elizabeth City. The original…read morebridge was constructed in 1931 but over time, the structure aged and reached the end of its design life. Construction of the replacement began in 2011 with the demolition of that older structure and the installation of the new substructure. The project completed in 2015 with the completion of the eastbound bridge and rehabilitation of the westbound span. The bridge spans approximately 146 feet with 430 feet of approach spans. It accommodates two 12-foot traffic lanes, an 8-foot bicycle lane, and a 5-foot-6-inch pedestrian sidewalk. It is a steel double-leaf trunnion bascule bridge, meaning that each leaf of the drawbridge pivots on a fixed axle, allowing it to lift for river traffic. One of the most distinctive architectural elements is the asymmetrical cross-section of the bascule span. This posed a unique challenge for engineers, who had to precisely balance the weight of each leaf while minimizing the overall mass of the counterweights. There is some parking nearby and some benches in Veterans Park. There is no toll to cross the bridge. [Review 889 of 2025 - 4311 in North Carolina - 24446 overall]