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Civil War driving tour in North Carolina: A trip on the Blue-Gray Scenic Byway
A month ago, I wrote about a Civil War driving tour in Tennessee. Here's another one I found out about in an engaging article by Jodi Helmer in the November/December issue of AAA's Home and Away magazine.
Helmer followed North Carolina's Blue-Gray Scenic Byway on a quest to find historic sites connected to the Civil War. The journey was a hunt and ask venture that wound through small towns and tobacco fields. As she found out, even a nondescript field where a battle took place has significance. Such was the case when she went into the Harper House, the now museum, but once farmhouse that was turned into a hospital during the war in order to treat soldiers who were wounded.
Other points of interest along the way were the Cliffs of Neuse State Park, the remnants of CSS Neuse--a ship used by the Confederate Navy, and small towns like Dudley, Seven Springs and Deep Run.
People in these towns pointed Helmer in the direction of terrific barbecue. She suggests Wilber's Barbecue in Goldsboro.
Reading Helmer's article reminded me of the importance of pulling off the road once in awhile to read those brown historic markers and asking the locals, "Where would you eat and what's worth seeing here?"
For more information about the Blue-Gray Scenic Byway, click here. One thing to keep in mind, many places are closed on Sundays. Here is a down-loadable brochure of the Civil War Trail another tour option.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Food and Drink, Stories
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Darren Nov 30th 2008 12:27PM
As an NC native, I can safely say this is worth the drive! And our state's best BBQ place (Simp's on the way to the Outer Banks) closed a few years back. Can't go wrong with lots of other locales, though.
Jamie Rhein Nov 30th 2008 8:02PM
Darren, thanks for the comment.
I was impressed with the info I found about this driving tour. I was in N.C. years ago and have relatives who now live there so I have no excuse to not make the drive one of these days myself.
Rachel Dec 1st 2008 12:02AM
Hi!
I am actually from the area along the blue and gray highway. I remember going to to Bentonville battleground/Harper House as a fieldtrip in middle school. If you are interested in other Civil War Battlegrounds, Averasboro Battle ground is located on highway 82 just south of Dunn, which is around 20mins south down I95, of the starting point of the blue and gray highway. It is really interesting and here is a link for more info http://www.averasboro.com/. If you have the time Moore's Creek battlefield is just north of Wilmington. It is a revolutionary battlefield, and totally worth the time and trip. It is not far off 421, on NC 210, or I40. Just some more info for those in the area and want to make some day trips! Have fun exploring the Carolinas! If you want more ideas of things to do in this area, please email me and I can give you some ideas!
Matt Dec 1st 2008 7:21AM
Can only agree with the suggestion to go to Wilbers. Definitely one of the best places for eastern NC-style BBQ in the area and worth a trip all on it's own.