A Front Porch Kind of Town
Take Time Out for a Friendly Visit Founded more than 250 years ago, 16 years prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Town of Tarboro is a shining example of a historic community embracing progress while preserving its storied past. Located in northeastern North Carolina just minutes from the I-95 / US 64 interchange, Tarboro is a town where you can enjoy a sense of history and contentment without sacrificing a single 21st century amenity. Only an hour east of Raleigh-Durham, one of the nation’s fastest growing high-tech regions, and two hours west of the pristine shores of the famed Outer Banks, Tarboro is easy to find and hard to leave.
Here in the South, front porches are a place to relax with a glass of sweet tea, greet neighbors and catch up on community news. They represent a way of life that many people cherish, yet most can only dream of. This welcoming atmosphere is exactly what you’ll find in Tarboro. Whether you’re new to town or just visiting, as you stroll along our tree-lined streets, you’re bound to strike up a conversation with friendly folks who are genuinely interested in hearing your story.
Simply put, Tarboro is a front porch kind of town.
Take Time Out to Enjoy the Past Did you know that there are only two original commons in the United States? One is the famous Boston Common; the other is right here in Tarboro. These common grounds were originally used for community gatherings, training fields for local militias and for grazing livestock. As those needs became less in demand, many communities chose to develop these open spaces by building homes and shops. Our residents and visitors are happy Tarboro bucked that trend. Today, the Town’s 15-acre park serves as the geographic center and centerpiece of an impressive 45-block historic district, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
For many visitors to Tarboro, the historic Blount-Bridgers House is a must-see. This Federal-style house built in 1808 not only serves as the arts and cultural center of town, it’s also the starting point of the Historic District National Recreation Trail and one of Tarboro’s three points of interest on the National Civil War Trail. The district, which totals 3,300 acres and 364 buildings, includes five 18th Century homes, more than two-dozen antebellum homes and many late 19th and early 20th Century home styles including Victorian, Second Empire, Neo-classical Revival and Arts and Crafts. Other points of interest include the Pender Museum, the Edgecombe County Veterans’ Museum, Calvary Episcopal Church, Old Town Cemetery and Churchyard, and the Cotton Press, which dates back to 1840. History buffs of all ages will enjoy guided walking tours held on Saturdays from late spring through early fall.
Take Time Out to Embrace Today For a relatively small community, Tarboro has access to exceptional educational opportunities at all levels. K–12 students can choose from the Edgecombe County Public School system or North East Carolina Preparatory School. Edgecombe Community College (ECC), part of the nationally acclaimed North Carolina Community College system, offers an impressive range of coursework including dozens of certificate and two-year degree programs. Additionally, ECC is well known for industry-driven workforce development programs and its Small Business Center. For those students interested in four year programs, nearby choices include East Carolina University, Barton College and North Carolina Wesleyan—each less than 30 miles away.
In addition to being a great place to live and learn, Tarboro is also a great place for business. Small boutiques benefit from steady foot traffic from visitors and residents, while large manufacturers and distribution companies enjoy exceptional access to the rest of the country by way of uncongested interstate quality roadways. Our moderate wages and a productive workforce combine to make the cost of operating a business in Tarboro considerably less than in larger cities. Furthermore, government leaders have adopted a number of businessfriendly policies that support business expansion and relocation projects of all sizes.
Whether you’re visiting us for the day or have more permanent plans, thanks for taking the time to see why we call Tarboro, NC a front porch kind of town.
Town of Tarboro 500 Main Street Tarboro, NC 27886
Phone: 252-641-4200
www.tarboro-nc.com