About Us
The Town of Plymouth is located in the Inner Banks of northeastern North Carolina in Washington County where it was the first incorporated town and now holds the County seat. U.S. Highway 64 connects Plymouth to North Carolina’s Outer Banks and to Interstate 95 and the Research Triangle, while the Roanoke River connects Plymouth to the Albemarle Sound.
Plymouth is a diverse community of 3,320 with a rich history. Established in 1787, Plymouth used its location on the Roanoke River to become an important hub for commerce and trade. In 1808 a federal customs house opened in Plymouth and by 1831 the United States Congress funded a lightship that was anchored at the mouth of the Roanoke River. In 1867 the Roanoke River Lighthouse was lit to serve this purpose. A replica of the lighthouse, including a Fresnel lens, can be visited in Plymouth today. Along with commercial activity, the Roanoke River also saw activity related to the Underground Railroad and is recognized by the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program. Recent research has uncovered evidence of Underground Railroad activity in Plymouth.
The importance of Plymouth was so great in the 19th Century that at the outbreak of the Civil War the Union sent troops to occupy Plymouth. Determined to retake Plymouth, the Confederates built and deployed the most successful ironclad of the war, the CSS Ram Albemarle to assist in the retaking of the Town. Plymouth changed hands three times before the war ended in 1865.
As commercial traffic shifted from the Roanoke River to the roads and highways of North Carolina, Plymouth began to rely more heavily on agriculture, particularly, logging related industries. Today, in addition to these industries, Plymouth is an ideal location for ecotourism, where one may enjoy adventures that include fishing, hunting, boating, kayaking, nature and birding trails, and a significant black bear population.
The Town of Plymouth is a North Carolina Small Town Main Street community, designated by the N.C. Department of Commerce Main Street & Rural Planning Center. The Town of Plymouth's Small Town Main Street program is charged with administering the program at the local level and building public-private partnerships to spur local investment, business development, and job creation.
The Town of Plymouth welcomes you to participate in its bright future.
