Columbia, North Carolina
Encyclopedia : C : CO : COL : Columbia, North Carolina
Columbia is a town in Tyrrell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 819 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Tyrrell County[Geographic references#6GR6].
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.2 km² (0.5 mi²), all land.
In addition to the Scuppernong River, Tyrrell County is bordered on the north by the Albemarle Sound, one of the East Coast's largest estuarine systems, and to the east by the Alligator River.[link]
The Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula is located NE North Carolina, inshore of Nags Head and the Outer Banks in a region known as North Carolina's Inner Banks. The peninsula is framed by Albemarle Sound to the north, Croatan Sound to the east, and the Pamlico Sound/River to the south. [link] [link]
Traffic & Tourism
Though Columbia is located in one of North Carolina's most historic provinces, its beauty and precious historic treasures were hidden from the glance of the by-passing traffic to the famous, close-by Outer Banks until April 2005. That was the month of the official opening of US Highway 64 and the new Scuppernong River Bridge - and Columbia, NC was discovered.
Tyrrell County Ecotourism [link] The Ecotourism Committee is a subcommittee of the Tyrrell County Tourism Authority – the first in the state, to their knowledge that has formally created a special committee dedicated to promoting ecotourism. The Ecotourism Committee is comprised of representatives from local, state, and federal government agencies; non-profit organizations; and local business owners. Together, they work to promote and protect the county’s vast natural resources through tourism, in a manner that benefits the local economy and pays tribute to the region’s rich cultural heritage. Creating economic opportunity through eco- tourism rural North Carolina / report: [link]
Attractions
"Columbia...the town I've imagined in my dreams but never believed existed." wrote Cora Barksdale, early 20th century. Columbia's quaint charm and Tyrrell County's wild beauty has captured the heart of more than a few. Cora Barksdale was one of them. She moved to Columbia in the early part of the 20th century to become the editor of The Tyrrell Times newspaper and her unabashed adoration of the place was obvious in her writing. The people of Columbia N.C. are genuine, unpretentious and friendly.
Columbia, NC is a half hour drive from the Outer Banks. It is a charming, small Victorian town with friendly people; deep-water anchorages at the town docks and a boardwalk for walking along the water's edge.
Other attractions include the 10 000 acres (40 km²) Palmetto Pear Tree Reserve http://www.palmettopeartree.org/?article=1001. The Palmetto-Peartree Preserve encompasses 10,000 acres along the Albemarle Sound. Established by The Conservation Fund in 1999 to protect the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, the preserve is a premier destination for hikers, birdwatchers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts. The Preserve is home to the largest population of endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers on private land in the state and has been designated a state-significant Important Bird Area. Visitors enjoy walking the boardwalk trails through wetland forests or hitting the water for a paddle excursion on the Sound. The preserve is open to the public 7 days/week during daylight hours. No admission fee. Free guided tours are available for groups—advanced reservations are required. Primitive camping is available on a platform accessible only by water—advanced reservations and a fee are required.[link]
Columbia, NC was nominated for the annual American Dream Town competition in 2005 as one of the three nominees for North Carolina by Bruce Northam, a National Geographic traveler. http://www.americandreamtown.com/
The Red Wolf Coalition is located in Columbia which advocates for the long-term survival of red wolf populations by teaching about the red wolf and by fostering public involvement in red wolf conservation. http://www.redwolves.com/
Columbia features eastern North Carolina's premier Hand-Craft Education Center on the Scuppernong with a renaissance of art and culture [link]taking shape on Main Street. One block from the Town Dock, aromas of jasmine and rosemary mingle together in Shoe String Alley, the brick-lined path to Pocosin Arts. http://www.pocosinarts.org/
The Columbia Theater Cultural Resources Center is a combination of environmental education and local history loacted in a renovated movie palace, features: artifacts from fishing, forestry and farming in the Albemarle Sound region; "Hunter Jim," [link]who'll tell of hunting traditions in the soundlands and programs for schools and other groups. http://www.partnershipforthesounds.org/
Tyrrell County is famous for its natural recourses. Local Farmers are selling their colorful, delicious, freshly harvested crops on charming old fashioned road-side stands. In 2004 Columbia, North Carolina was chosen as the new chapter in Black Gold Potato history. Black Gold purchased the well-run Durwood Cooper Farm in Columbia where soils are of ideal deep, black, silt loam. This farm also raises corn and soybeans.http://www.blackgoldpotato.com/history.htm
Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is located in Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties, NC; headquarters located in Columbia. http://www.fws.gov/pocosinlakes/ Scuppernong River Interpretive Boardwalk, Columbia, NC The Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is the site for scenic wetland trails near [link]. The Scuppernong River Interpretive Boardwalk attracts anglers, vacationers, school groups, and local users. The 0.75 mile loop meanders through a cypress swamp, and along the Scuppernong River, leading into downtown Columbia, North Carolina.
Tyrrell County Visitors Center [link]is located on Highway 64 in Columbia, NC. The center overlooks the Scuppernong River, the Algonguian Indian name meaning "The place of the sweet bay tree." Facilities include clean restrooms open 24 hours a day, picnic tables and grills. http://www.visittyrrellcounty.com/ThingsToDo/default.htm
A 30 minute drive from Columbia http://www.thelostcolony.org/map_2.html is the Lost Colony (located on the Roanoke Island Festival Park’s Living History settlement site) featuring a Hands-on Children’s Museum, & possibility to tour the Elizabeth II sailing vessel. http://www.thelostcolony.org/visit.html
History: Tyrrell County was formed in 1729 from Chowan, Bertie, Currituck and Pasquotank counties. Named for Sir John Tyrrell, one of the Lords Proprietors of the Carolina colony. Tyrrell County's original boundaries originally stretched westward from Roanoke Island to near present-day Tarboro. In 1870 the territory was divided and resulted in what is now known as Tyrrell, Martin, Washington, and Dare counties. Elizabethtown, later renamed Columbia, was established on the banks of the Scuppernong River in 1793 and became the Tyrrell County seat in 1799. http://www.visittyrrellcounty.com/AboutTC/History.htm
Somerset Place State Historic Site http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/somerset/somerset_map.pdf 10 minute drive from Columbia, NC. The Somerset Place Museum is a representative antebellum plantation dating from 1785. Beginning in 1829, this was home to two generations of the Collins family-Josiah Collins III, his wife Mary, and their six sons. It was also home to more than three hundred enslaved men, women, and children of African decent whose lives and work are interpreted here as well. Somerset Place offers an insightful view of plantation life during the antebellum period. http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/somerset/somerset.htm
Art
Columbia features eastern North Carolina's premier Hand-Craft Education Center on the Scuppernong with a renaissance of art and culture taking shape on Main Street. One block from the Town Dock, aromas of jasmine and rosemary mingle together in Shoe String Alley, the brick-lined path to Pocosin Arts. [link]The Studio Throughout the year classes, workshops and residencies are held in pottery, pit firing, raku, weaving, spinning, quilting, embellishing, carving, soap making, glass slumping and fusing, blacksmithing, ballet, African and Celtic dancing, story telling and roots music. [link]
Demographics, 2000
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 819 people, 341 households, and 221 families residing in the town. The population density was 672.8/km² (1,756.7/mi²). There were 411 housing units at an average density of 337.6/km² (881.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 39.19% White, 52.26% African American, 0.12% Native American, 1.47% Asian, 5.13% from other races, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.33% of the population.There were 341 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.8% were married couples living together, 28.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.6% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 85.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $20,588, and the median income for a family was $21,563. Males had a median income of $19,821 versus $17,361 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,216. About 27.9% of families and 33.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 53.6% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.
Pocosin Arts Folk School receives $1,000,000 grant.
Demographics are changing, 2006
Due to Columbia's proximity to the Outer Banks, land and property value have increased dramatically since 2000 and with that the local demographics have also changed. [link]
External links
Events
Calender of events, tours and happenings in Tyrrell County and Columbia [link]
Pocosin Art Festival: September 16th, 2006 Steamed Blue to Red-Hot, Lively! Hard Crab Dinner & Art Auction Over 100 North Carolina fine art and craft artists are represented during our annual art auction, attended by 300 art lovers and supporters from the Outer Banks, Elizabeth City, Edenton, Windsor, Plymouth, Williamston, Washington, Engelhard and Ocracoke Island. Those who joined us for our hard crab dinner and art auction were witness to the wonder of community shared by Pocosin Artists, our donors, our bidders and buyers, and volunteers[link]
Scuppernong River Festival October 14th, 2006 [link]Every second Saturday in October, the town of Columbia comes alive as thousands of people return to their roots. Located in the wetlands of northeastern North Carolina, the county has a history of dependence upon the Scuppernong River for transportation and food.[link] Join the locals for a full day of celebration and fun, followed by evening fireworks. The day starts with the parade at 10:00 AM. Vendors, food, all day entertainment at numerous locations. Fireworks & street dance.
10th Ann. Wings Over Water Festival[link] Celebrate Wildlife & Wildlands in East. NC Nov.'06[link]
Red Wolf Howling Safari — 2006 Event Schedule [link]
Somerset Place, Special Events - 2006 Event Schedule [link]
Visually Informative Site
My Columbia, NC - An unofficial site[link]Pictures
Columbia NC Albemarle Sound [link]
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