Bertie County, North Carolina

On February 1, I had a fun daytrip to Bertie County. Earlier in the week, I posted a request on Facebook for ideas of things to see in Bertie County, and that added a lot to my trip!

Bertie County started as a Bertie Pricinct in 1722, and became Bertie County in 1739. It amazes me that this county was formed several decades before we became a country.

Bertie County Courthouse

I set my GPS for the Bertie County Courthouse in the county seat of Windsor, since I often include photos of the courthouse in my blog.It took roughly two hours to get from home to the courthouse in Windsor.

After I found the pretty courthouse, I found the quirky Livermon Park and Mini-Zoo nearby!  I was impressed by the animals in this small park, although I couldn't get too close. Still, it was fun to see them there. Since it had rained the day before, things were a little muddy, but it wasn't too bad.

Turkeys at the Livermon Zoo

After I walked around the park and zoo for a while, I found the nearby (and very pretty!) Cashie Wetlands Walk, a nice walk along the Cashie River wetlands. Things were still soggy and overcast from the overnight rain, but it was still a very pretty walk. I didn't walk the whole trail, but would like to return to finish it.

Cashie Wetlands Walk Sign

Later, I drove to the community of San Souci to ride the San Souci Ferry across the Cashie River. It's one of three cable ferries in North Carolina, and it was fun to take. If you're ever in the area, the San Souci Ferry is a fun ride, free and just takes a few minutes.


A friend told me about the documentary "Raising Bertie," a film about the lives of three young boys in Bertie County. I purchased it on Amazon, and look forward to finish watching it soon

I really enjoyed my trip to Bertie County, and would highly recommend exploring the area! If I make it back, one thing one my bucket list is the Historic Hope Plantation. I drove around the plantation, but didn't take time to get out and take the tour. .

Click on this link to see the rest of my Bertie County photos.

On the San Souci Ferry

Cashie Wetlands Boardwalk

Richmond County, North Carolina

George and I recently enjoyed a chilly Saturday in Richmond County, a rural county located on North Carolina's southern border. Richmond County has been around for a while, formed in 1779 from neighboring Anson County.

For such a rural county, Richmond County has several famous native sons, including musicians John Coltrane (born in Hamlet), Terius Youngdell Nash (born in Rockingham), and  Bucky Covington (born in Rockingham), NFL players Dannell Ellerbe and Melvin Ingram, Family Dollar founder Leon Levine, and former North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Henry Frye (born in Ellerbe).

Richmond County Courthouse

One of our first stops was in Rockingham, the county seat. We found the lovely Richmond County Courthouse there. It's been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.

One of the biggest draws in Rockingham in the Rockingham Speedway, known now as the Rock.It used to be a NASCAR racetrack until 2004. It's being redone as an entertainment venue. Nothing was going on when George and I stopped by, but it was still fun to see in person. I've never been into car racing, but growing up in the South, I can appreciate the fandom and enormity of the race track.

Hamlet Public Library

George and I also stopped in the city of Hamlet. Hamlet has a history as a railroad hub, and is home to the National Railroad Museum and Hall of Fame. George and I didn't get to visit it this time, but maybe next time we're in Hamlet.

The rest of my Richmond County photos are in an album on Flickr. Click on this sentence to view. 

Cakedy Cakes Mural in Hamlet

Duplin County, North Carolina

Duplin County Courthouse

I drove down to Duplin County to explore over the winter break, and had a fun time! Duplin County is a very rural county, and a pretty one. Duplin County was formed in 1750 from New Hanover County. (Later, Sampson County was created from part of Duplin County.) The county seat is Kenansville, named after State Senator James Kenan, a brigadier general in the Revolutionary War.

After a nice drive through the town of Warsaw, I found the town of Magnolia next. I enjoyed looking around Magnolia, and even found the library (which shouldn't be a surprise to those who
know me! Speaking of libraries and books, there's a book by a Magnolia native, Clara Baker McGrath, called Magnolia Girl's Adventures. After graduating from high school, she left Magnolia for Washington, DC, to work for the FBI.

Magnolia Cemetery

I also visited the Magnolia Cemetery, where I found a geocache.

Next, I visited the unincorporated community of Chinquapin. It's a small town with a rich history. It also has a couple of notable former residents. Caleb Bradham, inventor of Pepsi, was born there. Also, American author Randall Kenan spent time on the family farm in Chinquapin as a young child.

My last stop in Duplin County was in the town of Rose Hill. I stopped at the Duplin Winery, the largest winery in North Carolina. I didn't have take time for a tour that day, but I enjoyed a late lunch at the Bistro there. After lunch, I went down the street to visit The World's Largest [Operational] Frying Pan. It was covered up the day I was there. It would be interesting to see the frying pan in action!

World's Largest Frying Pan in Rose Hill

The rest of my Duplin County photos are here.