City of New Bern history

The New Bern Academy was built in 1806 and is North Carolina’s oldest chartered school.

Jones-Jarvis House: Begun by Frederick Jones in 1810 and later sold to Moses Jarvis,owner of a large shipping firm.

In 1817, the First Presbyterian Church organization and building was established here.

Purchased in 1818 by Judge William Gaston, a brilliant orator, lawyer, member of Congress, State Justice, and author of the state song.

Coor-Cook House: Federal sidehall begun before 1796, but fine interior woodwork not completed until 1822. (512 Hancock St)

1840) disappeared under the Colonial Revival remodeling with the neoclassical portico designed by popular architect, Herbert Woodley Simpson. (614 Craven Street)

Green, a prominent free African American, the Federal sidehall house became the Presbyterian Manse in 1841. (41 1 Johnson St)

1. The first chartered fire-fighting organization was the Atlantic Fire & Hook & Ladder Company formed in May 1845; however, this company became inactive when its members began volunteering for military service at the start of the war between the states.

Remodeled 1850 by father of John B. Lane, builder of present Craven County Courthouse. (516 Johnson St)

1 was organized on January 1, 1865 by Union soldiers during the occupation of New Bern.

The second church was destroyed in a fire that swept away several buildings in the late 1870's, and today's church was built on the old foundations.

In 1879, the Atlantic Fire & Hook & Ladder Company received a new Silsby steam fire engine.

The corner site where City Hall is located was purchased from Christ Church in 1891 when the church decided it no longer needed the property.

Originally constructed as a Federal Courthouse, Customs Office, and Post Office, the building was finally completed in 1897.

The soft drink Pepsi-Cola was invented by New Bern pharmacist Caleb Bradham in 1898.

1900 in Second Empire style. (212 Pollock St)

In 1902, Photographer Bayard Wootten, born in New Bern and Bradham’s neighbor, designed the Pepsi-Cola logo.

Federal style; remodeled in 1907 to current Colonial Revival form. (309 Johnson St)

Purchased in 1908 by C. D. Bradham, inventor of "Brad's Drink," now known as Pepsi-Cola. (201 Johnson St)

Originally used as the United States Post Office, a Courthouse, and Customs House; tower added in 1910.

On March 6, 1911, Samuel J. Battle (born in New Bern) was sworn in as the first African-American New York City Police officer.

House built for a wealthy landowner who operated a turpentine distillery and steam sawmill; remodeled 1913-14. (701 Broad St)

Purchased for $1,500 in 1914, both trucks were American LaFrance.

Organized in 1916, membership is now over 11,000. (Corner of Broad and East Front St)

Among them is the Baxter Street Clock, a 1920 oversized cast iron clock.

The first motorized ladder truck was purchased in 1927 by Atlantic Company for $27,000 (versus today’s price of $750,000).

Transferred to the city in 1936. (Corner of Craven St and Pollock St)

Congress authorized MCAS Cherry Point on July 9, 1941, with an initial appropriation of $14,990,000 for construction and the clearing of an 8,000 acre (32 km²) tract of swamps, farms and timberland.

In 1945, the Tryon Palace Commission organized with the goal of restoring the historic site.

Along with Mel Groomes, New Bern native Bob Mann was the first African-American to play for the Detroit Lions in 1948.

Law office of noted jurist, moved and reconstructed 1949. (307 Craven St)

In 1950, Mann became the first known African-American to suit up for the Green Bay Packers.

Tryon Palace, built in 1767–70 by the royal governor, William Tryon, was the first capitol; it was restored (1952–59) as a state historic site.

At the site of the combined Atlantic and Button companies, the Firemen’s Museum opened in 1955.

Another first, Tryon Palace opened as North Carolina’s first state historic site in 1959.

In 1977, a truck bent the pillar of New Bern’s beloved Baxter Street Four-faced Clock.

The Notebook, written in 1996 by New Bern resident Nicholas Sparks, became the first novel in America to remain on both the hardcover and paperback bestseller lists for more than one year.

Bradham’s pharmacy was restored and opened to the public in 1998.