Tarboro, Historic town in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, United States.
Tarboro sits along the Tar River in flat terrain with mature trees lining many streets throughout the town. The community spreads along the riverbanks and features a grid of streets with historic and residential buildings.
Joseph and Ester Howell founded the town in 1760, and it became the county seat just four years later in 1764. This appointment established it as a regional administrative and trading center.
The Historic District shows homes, churches, and commercial buildings from different eras standing side by side on its streets. Walking through, you naturally experience how the town looked and functioned across multiple generations.
The town is easy to explore on foot, with most sites concentrated in the central area and near the river. Plan to walk slowly through the streets and allow time to notice the architecture and building details.
The Town Common, an open space from colonial times, originally served for grazing livestock and public gatherings. This space ranks among the oldest legislated town commons in North America and reveals how early settlers planned their communities.
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