Pamlico River
Beaufort County, NC

The river has always been the reason for Washington’s existence. Since before the colonies became the states, Washington was a river port. The commerce of deep-water ships and coastal schooners, barges and rafts made some men rich and other men a meager living, but it was the river that kept the town alive.

Commercial traffic is gone from the river. There was a time when the town languished, too poor to tear down and rebuild. That poverty had a surprising benefit when tourism became a significant business. The old buildings had architectural and historic value. They were refitted and occupied by art galleries, restaurants, pubs, and artisans.

Pleasure boats now occupy the town’s gentrified waterfront and people watch dramatic sunsets from the gazebo.