An Afternoon in Beaufort
Author: Stan Deatherage | Published: May 27th, 2011
When visiting Atlantic Beach / Morehead City area for any practical length of time, it is strenuously advised you spend some time, maybe an afternoon, in Beaufort, North Carolina. While the sun-drenched beach along the vast crystal coast of Carteret County can keep one mesmerized by the allure of its shifting sand and dunes, you must still break away from the relaxingly hypnotic drone of the of crashing waves, and journey further east and to the mainland - to Beaufort.
I took my own well heeded advice this early Spring, one afternoon, with my bride directing me to wherever, and whatever destination she did so want us to occupy. I was her willing servant, and she was hungry for a late lunch.
“Oh, my dear wife, where might you gain proper sustenance?” I bade.
“The Beaufort Grocery Company on one of the side streets, off the waterfront. I hear its good,” She replied.
The Beaufort Grocery Company, a restaurant on one of the less traveled side streets in Beaufort: Above. The colorful plate of a delicious meal: below.
This large Victorian home with a widow's walk is just across the street from the Beaufort Grocery.
I found a small lot to park in, between the waterfront and the restaurant, and we quickly made our way to the eatery, and ordered post haste. I ordered the Gougeres (two of them), which were delicious shrimp and parmesan stuffed puff pastries, with fresh fruit and sweet potato fries on the side. My wife ordered the sautéed triggerfish on fresh baked bread, with goat cheese and the peach salsa, with broccoli salad on the side. We shared our entres, and ravenously enjoyed the victuals with a couple of specialty beers. We shared them too.
After the delicious meal in the quaint ambience, we walked all over the small town. I took pictures and wife enjoyed the air, the sun and inspiration of where community meets the wild, sand dunes of Carrot Island, wind swept and across the most narrow sound, Back Sound, I have witnessed. She walked the boardwalk, stopped to search for the stray wild pony amongst the island’s dunes, as ships slipped in and out of the port of Beaufort.
Along the Beaufort waterfront, one can peer through the docked ships, and, on a rare occasion, possibly spy a wild pony amongst the dunes on Carrot Island: Above and Below. Looking back along the waterfront of the Beaufort Historic District on the east side of downtown: The next below.
Along Front Street on the corner of Front and Queen Streets, just 1/2 block south from the Beaufort Grocery is the Inlet Inn, a large Bed and Breakfast: Above. Also along Front Street is the Carteret Academy, that has served members of the community for years, as it continues to do so today: Below.
It was a fine afternoon in the village formerly known as “Fish Town” in 1722, when the this commerce center was established along banks on what is now known as Back Sound in this protected harbor so very close to the sea. And due to its port location, Beaufort’s earliest purpose, outside of being the dock for vessels hauling up fish, and other watery creatures from the blue waters of the Atlantic, with its warm Gulf Stream, was that of a customs town. Today, Beaufort's planked waterfront promenade serves as a gathering area for folks, and instead of levying a tariff, proprietors of other fine eatery's and barkeeps of later day establishments provide a cold, delicious beverage and a hot meal for fair compensation: The next two images below.
Most of those early buildings are gone from downtown, burned down or fallen to decay and replaced by the neo federal brick structures of the late 19th Century. An example of what still remains of those early wood frame structures is the dwelling that was once the Carteret Academy nestled between the standing masonry edifices along Beaufort's Front Street.
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There were other unique historic structures, but it may be best if we explore them with images made that lovely day here below:
The residential / commercial mix that is downtown Beaufort: Above. The Joshia Bell House across the narrow side street from the structures in the image above: Below.
Just west and adjacent to the historic Methodist Church on Ann Street is the The Old Burying ground. This bit of dirt was deeded to the young customs town in 1731, and from that day forward it became the final destination has become the resting place for some of Beaufort's most historic and interesting people: Above and some of the old gravesites below.
Looking east down Front Street from the front of the of the Maritime Museum: Above and Below.
Beaufort is the county seat of Carteret County, with its county courthouse downtown: Above. In most coastal southern towns, located on public property, is the memorial to the fallen Confederate Soldiers from that terrible war. In Beaufort it is located on the grounds of the courthouse: Below.
In one of Beaufort mant ports - this time along the shore of the Newport River - is this dock for fishing boats. It was my last visage of Beaufort as I left the "Fish Town." Until I visit once again, I bid a fond fairwell.
This article provided courtesy of our sister site: Beaufort County Now
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I took my own well heeded advice this early Spring, one afternoon, with my bride directing me to wherever, and whatever destination she did so want us to occupy. I was her willing servant, and she was hungry for a late lunch.
“Oh, my dear wife, where might you gain proper sustenance?” I bade.
“The Beaufort Grocery Company on one of the side streets, off the waterfront. I hear its good,” She replied.
The Beaufort Grocery Company, a restaurant on one of the less traveled side streets in Beaufort: Above. The colorful plate of a delicious meal: below.
This large Victorian home with a widow's walk is just across the street from the Beaufort Grocery.
I found a small lot to park in, between the waterfront and the restaurant, and we quickly made our way to the eatery, and ordered post haste. I ordered the Gougeres (two of them), which were delicious shrimp and parmesan stuffed puff pastries, with fresh fruit and sweet potato fries on the side. My wife ordered the sautéed triggerfish on fresh baked bread, with goat cheese and the peach salsa, with broccoli salad on the side. We shared our entres, and ravenously enjoyed the victuals with a couple of specialty beers. We shared them too.
After the delicious meal in the quaint ambience, we walked all over the small town. I took pictures and wife enjoyed the air, the sun and inspiration of where community meets the wild, sand dunes of Carrot Island, wind swept and across the most narrow sound, Back Sound, I have witnessed. She walked the boardwalk, stopped to search for the stray wild pony amongst the island’s dunes, as ships slipped in and out of the port of Beaufort.
Along the Beaufort waterfront, one can peer through the docked ships, and, on a rare occasion, possibly spy a wild pony amongst the dunes on Carrot Island: Above and Below. Looking back along the waterfront of the Beaufort Historic District on the east side of downtown: The next below.
Along Front Street on the corner of Front and Queen Streets, just 1/2 block south from the Beaufort Grocery is the Inlet Inn, a large Bed and Breakfast: Above. Also along Front Street is the Carteret Academy, that has served members of the community for years, as it continues to do so today: Below.
It was a fine afternoon in the village formerly known as “Fish Town” in 1722, when the this commerce center was established along banks on what is now known as Back Sound in this protected harbor so very close to the sea. And due to its port location, Beaufort’s earliest purpose, outside of being the dock for vessels hauling up fish, and other watery creatures from the blue waters of the Atlantic, with its warm Gulf Stream, was that of a customs town. Today, Beaufort's planked waterfront promenade serves as a gathering area for folks, and instead of levying a tariff, proprietors of other fine eatery's and barkeeps of later day establishments provide a cold, delicious beverage and a hot meal for fair compensation: The next two images below.
Most of those early buildings are gone from downtown, burned down or fallen to decay and replaced by the neo federal brick structures of the late 19th Century. An example of what still remains of those early wood frame structures is the dwelling that was once the Carteret Academy nestled between the standing masonry edifices along Beaufort's Front Street.
The residential / commercial mix that is downtown Beaufort: Above. The Joshia Bell House across the narrow side street from the structures in the image above: Below.
Just west and adjacent to the historic Methodist Church on Ann Street is the The Old Burying ground. This bit of dirt was deeded to the young customs town in 1731, and from that day forward it became the final destination has become the resting place for some of Beaufort's most historic and interesting people: Above and some of the old gravesites below.
Looking east down Front Street from the front of the of the Maritime Museum: Above and Below.
Beaufort is the county seat of Carteret County, with its county courthouse downtown: Above. In most coastal southern towns, located on public property, is the memorial to the fallen Confederate Soldiers from that terrible war. In Beaufort it is located on the grounds of the courthouse: Below.
In one of Beaufort mant ports - this time along the shore of the Newport River - is this dock for fishing boats. It was my last visage of Beaufort as I left the "Fish Town." Until I visit once again, I bid a fond fairwell.
This article provided courtesy of our sister site: Beaufort County Now
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