Belhaven is a charming, sleepy riverside village that boasts the greatest collection of marina facilities directly on the North Carolina portion of the ICW north of Oriental. The Belhaven waterfront guards the northeastern shore of Pantego Creek west-northwest of flashing daybeacon #10. The entrance channel is well marked and holds at least 10 feet of water. The harbor is partially protected by an artificial wooden breakwater. The entrance between the two arms of the breakwater is marked by flashing daybeacons #5 and #6.
Belhaven, whose name means "beautiful harbor," was founded upon the resources of its waters and woods. Originally called Jack's Neck, the town began to grow about 1900, when railroad magnate John A. Wilkinson founded a lumber business. Crabbing also became a large local enterprise. The railroad and the Pamlico River have provided the means of transportation necessary to keep the wheels of commerce turning for this community. The river and the woods still offer excellent opportunities for hunting and fishing.
Belhaven has some charming homes, most in the traditional North Carolina down-east style. A stroll down the quiet, wooded lanes-particularly Water Street, adjacent to both marinas-is definitely recommended. This quiet river town has changed little in the past 50 years.
One local attraction of note is the Belhaven Memorial Museum, housed on the second floor of the town hall. Though it is necessary to walk several blocks from either of the town's marinas to visit the museum, it is well worth the trouble. This remarkable exhibit houses the antique and curiosity collection of Eva Blount Way, donated to the town in 1965. Mrs. Blount began collecting oddities as a way of raising money for the American Red Cross. Originally, she opened her house to visitors. Now, the collection is better housed in the town hall. According to the museum pamphlet, visitors can view "30,000 buttons, preserved snakes, an eight legged pig, whale bones, kitchen and farm artifacts, petrified walrus tusks millions of years old, ten-cent paper money, a watch fob made from the first Atlantic cable, a 200-year-old pitcher, dressed fleas, and many, many more items too numerous to mention."
Belhaven, North Carolina
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