From the mountains to rolling land of the Piedmont to 300 miles of white sand coastline, North Carolina has it all! If you live in North Carolina, you know how naturally beautiful, culturally rich in history and the arts our amazing state is. Add world-class sports and an abundance of recreational opportunities and you have a truly exceptional place to call home. From historical facts to fun tidbits about our state, there is so much to learn about North Carolina. We don’t claim the list below to be exhaustive, we wanted to point out fun things you might not have known or have forgotten about our unique state.
- The NC coast was a favorite haunt of the infamous pirate Blackbeard. Being on the Sound we know there is something special about living on the water.
- S. Presidents James K. Polk, Andrew Jackson and Andrew Johnson were all from North Carolina.
- Pepsi was invented in New Bern, NC in 1893 by a drugstore clerk named Caleb Bradham.
- The Venus Flytrap plant is native to North Carolina.
- The University of NC at Chapel Hill claims to be the oldest public university in the U.S. – the university first opened its doors in 1795.
- Texas Pete Hot Sauce is actually from North Carolina.
- North Carolina grows more sweet potatoes than any other state.
- North Carolina’s state song and state toast is called “The Old North State”. North Carolina is the only state with an official drinking toast.
- John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Billy Taylor and Nina Simone are just some of the legendary jazz artists who were born in North Carolina.
- Emeralds are naturally occurring in North Carolina. “Hiddenite”, the town in NC where the gemstone was found is named in its honor. You can even go mining yourself.
- Krispy Kreme doughnuts started in Winston-Salem, NC.
- Putt-Putt Golf was created in Fayetteville, North Carolina by Don Clayton in 1954.
- High Point, North Carolina is known as the “Furniture Capital of the World”.
- The state motto is Esse Quam Videri: To be rather than to seem.
- Asheville, NC has the most breweries per capita in the U.S., boasting roughly 100 local craft beers. You didn’t forget we had a state toast, did you?!
- The Biltmore Estate is the largest privately owned house in the U.S., and is located in Asheville, North Carolina.
When it comes to interesting facts about North Carolina, we have only just scratched the surface. There is so much more to learn about our uniquely wonderful state. So be sure to come visit Albemarle Plantation to see for yourself why we think there is no better place than North Carolina to call ‘home.’