Martin County Towns

The Towns that Make up Martin County...

Williamston:

Williamston, Martin County's largest town (pop. 7,000), is a charming southern town with something for everyone. Whether it be browsing the one-of-a-kind shops in the historic downtown area, walking on the newly constructed nature trail through the heart of the town, shopping at one of several shopping centers, touring the historic residential district, taking in a horse show or concert, at the state of the art Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center, dining in one of our many restaurants, playing golf at the local course, or fishing on the Roanoke River, you'll be amazed at all Williamston has to offer. Also, a short 30-minute drive takes you to Greenville, a large metropolitan area, which has shopping malls with all the major stores and many entertainment venues.

Williamston has many charming neighborhoods and several subdivisions that have price ranges to fit everyone's needs. From historic homes, older homes in well-established neighborhoods, to brand new homes, Four Seasons Realty Group and Martin County have got your needs covered.

Williamston is home to the Senator Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center, a showplace for equestrian events and other spectator events that opened in 1998. There is a downtown revitalization effort underway to complement the town's Commercial District designation on the National Registar of Historic Places. There are several historic structures of interest: circa-1831 Asa Biggs House; circa-1885 Old Martin County Courthouse; circa-1850 Doctor W. Bagley Office; and the circa-1853 Skewarkey tour is available from the

Visitor's Center in the Asa Biggs House on Church Street in Williamston.

Work is currently underway on the Skewarkee Trail that will connect downtown with the Roanoke River via a converted railroad bed. The trail will be paved for use by bicyclists, walkers, and others.

Robersonville:

Robersonville, the second largest town in Martin County, incorporated in 1870, and came into existence during the booming railroad era. Unlike other towns in Martin County, which were dependant upon river traffic as their source of commercial trade; Robersonville's commercial traffic was by rail. Robersonville's population grew steadily through the early 1900's, even during the Great Depression, Robersonville saw expansion. Today, with the traffic from the new US Highway 64 super speed bypass, Robersonville continues to thrive with several new shopping centers and the East Carolina Motor Speedway. Robersonville's location is ideal; only 20 minutes from Greenville, a large metropolitan area. In spite of its' growth, Robersonville still maintains its southern "small town" charm and historic character.

Hamilton:

Hamilton incorporated in 1804 and located on the Roanoke River, long prospered as a busting commercial port. Shallow-draft steamboats, the cotton gin and a burgeoning textile trade here and abroad, brought river traffic to its peak during the years preceding the Civil War. Many of Hamilton's fine old homes were built during this period (1830-1850) and are found in the National Register. Hamilton did not escape the ravages of the Civil War and the frequent skimishes along the Roanoke River and nearby Fort Branch. It is believed that many antebellum buildings in Hamilton were burned during a Union occupation of the town.

After the Civil War, tobacco and peanuts replaced cotton as the area's major commodities and another era of prosperity brought new steamers and barges to keep passengers, produce and merchandise moving up and down the East Coast. In Hamilton, people were building the lovely Queen Anne homes and Gothic cottages and churches that you will see as you walk about the town.

Today, the river is a prime recreational source, and Hamilton, moving confidently into the future, reflects with pride upon its rich agricultural and social heritage of nearly two hundred years. Also, Hamilton is renewing its rich heritage. Many of the historic properties in Hamilton have been restored and several historic properties are currently being offered on the real estate market.

Bear Grass:

Bear Grass is a small farming town/community in Martin County. The name Bear Grass, a type of yucca prolific in the area, has been in use at least since 1761 when it was given to the area's major swamp in a land grant. The early settlers were farmers, with many engaged in the production of turpentine, tar and shingles from the area's abundant forests. Today, you can still see the circa-1925 Bear Grass School, the 1830s-1840s Bear Grass Primitive Baptist Church, the circa-1935 Yucca House (former Bear Grass Teacherage) which sits across the road from the school and the Bear Grass Presbyterian Church. Three frame stores built between 1895 and 1915 comprise Bear Grass's small but historic commercial district. Located only a 20 minute drive from Greenville, Bear Grass is an excellent community to live in and many new homes are being built in this area. Deadwood Ghost Town putt-putt golf course and The Smokehouse Grill Restaurant are Bear Grass's biggest attractions and are well known all over the area.

Jamesville:

The second oldest town in Martin County, Jamesville was incorporated in 1785 as James Town, with its name changing in 1797 to Jamestown and finally, on February 10, 1855, to Jamesville.

Situated directly on the Roanoke River, Jamesville residents depended on the shipment of agricultural and forest products, supplying local farmers with merchandise, and taking advantage of the early springtime fishing season that was centered here.

During the Civil War, Jamesville's placement between Union headquarters at Plymouth, downriver to the east, and Williamston, Hamilton and Fort Branch, upriver to the west, put the town in constant peril. The town's unenviable position placed it, as one local historian described, in "no man's land" between opposing Union and Confederate interests. the once-prosperous town was virtually destroyed during the course of the war. As a result, the only surviving antebellum residence in town is the cira-1810 Burras House on West Main Street.

Post war redevelopment followed improved transportation and continued exploitation of the vast forests in the region. While Simmons' mill suffered devastating losses during the Civil War, it recovered nicely, rebuilt on a larger scale and operated until 1919. In 1889, it was touted as the largest manufacturer of wood shingles in North Carolina, producing about 25,000 a day.

Furthermore, the County's important fishing industry-including the famous "fishing machines"-was centered here, particularly in the spring when runs of herring brought hundreds to the Roanoke River to obtain a supply of fish to salt and preserve. The C.C. Fleming Fishery on Stewart Street was the most successful, and stands today as the only important structure associated with the fishing industry in Martin County. Jamesville currently has the only riverfront restaurants in Martin County. The Cypress Grill is open seasonally when the herring run (usually January through April). The other restaurant is River's Edge.

The advantageous location of the original commercial district along Water Street near the river was lessened as travel relocated to the highways, and old commercial buildings were abandoned for new ones along what became US 64. In fact, only one survives on site-the 1914 (former) US Post Office. The circa-1900 general store of Henry Gray Griffin, located across the street from the old post office building, was demolished in 2003.

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