Craven Terrace

Craven Terrace is a housing complex containing 46 apartment buildings and a community center spread across about 22 acres in New Bern. The buildings feature Colonial Revival and Moderne architectural styles with distinctive brick patterns typical of mid-century public housing design.

This housing development was built in two phases in 1942 and 1953, funded by the United States Housing Authority to address housing shortages. It represents part of the nation's effort to provide affordable housing for working families in the postwar era.

This housing complex was built to serve African American families during a time of residential segregation in the South. You can see how the layout and design reflect the community it was meant to serve.

The complex is accessible from Roundtree Street and located within New Bern's historic district, making it easy to visit alongside other local sites. The sprawling layout means visitors benefit from allowing extra time to walk through different sections and appreciate the overall design.

The architects designed the maintenance structures with a specific brick pattern that shows careful attention to detail even in functional buildings. This craft-focused approach was uncommon in utilitarian construction of that era.

Location: New Bern

Inception: 1953

GPS coordinates: 35.10944,-77.04917

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:46