Local Heritage
The Mainland of Currituck County is a historically rich and culturally vibrant region in northeastern North Carolina. Unlike the more commercially developed Outer Banks, the Mainland is rooted in agriculture, community heritage, and preservation. Communities such as Barco, Maple, Coinjock, Grandy, Jarvisburg, Powells Point, and Moyock form the backbone of the area, offering scenic waterfronts, farmland, and strong ties to both Indigenous and African American history.
Explore Historical Attractions on the Mainland
Currituck County Courthouse and Historic Jail
- Location: Currituck
- Year: Courthouse (1842), Jail (late 19th century)
- Importance: The courthouse is one of the oldest active government buildings in North Carolina, showcasing antebellum architecture and long-standing civic service. The adjacent jail building is being conserved and restored, and while currently closed, it can be viewed from the outside.
Historic Jarvisburg Colored School
- Location: Jarvisburg
- Built: 1868, rebuilt in 1911
- Significance: A restored one-room schoolhouse that served African American students until the 1950s. Now operated as a museum, it tells the story of segregated education and the determination of Black families to educate their children under Jim Crow laws.
African American Experience of Northeastern North Carolina
- Location: Various
- Details: This 10-county initiative chronicles the lives, resilience, and contributions of African Americans in the region. It includes oral histories, photographs, documents, and interpretive panels highlighting local Black churches, educators, and community leaders. There are several sights in Currituck listed on the website.
The Dunston Family Interpretive Sign
- Location: Currituck Community Park, Barco
- Story: Honors the Dunston family, notable African American landowners and educators who made significant contributions to Currituck’s Black community. The sign commemorates their impact and their role in the local progress of Currituck County.
Currituck Union Highway Marker
- Location: Central Elementary School along US-158 in Barco
- Story: This marker commemorates Currituck Union School (now Central Elementary), which served as the African American school before desegration for grades 1 – 12 from 1950 until 1969.
