The Evolution of New Bern's Waterfront... changing with the times

Although there are few indications left that New Bern was a major port that relied on its rivers for its livelihood in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, the downtown business district remains in close proximity to the Neuse and Trent Rivers. In the early 1800’s, a steam-powered saw mill operated in Union Point and the banks of the Neuse River was lined with turpentine distilleries and tank yards. All the businesses, industries and residences were clustered around that commercial area. Following a severe depression from the late 1820’s into the early 1840’s, three major fires devastated the economy. However, by the late 1840’s and  early 1850’s, the national demand for turpentine, lumber and naval stores brought renewed growth and development.

In the early 1860’s, during the Civil War, New Bern became an active commercial and waterfront district due to the occupation of the Union Forces for the duration of the war. As a center for Union operations, the town maintained an active commercial and waterfront district.  Three more fires and lumber based economic growth in the post Civil Wars years led to intense building activity. In the early 1900’s, the economic prosperity led to expanded growth and construction away from the waterfront into what is now the business district. The downtown began to assume its recognizable landscape between the 1880’s and 1920. The mishmash of older frame and brick commercial buildings and residences, irregularly sited along the downtown streets, were demolished as the intense building activity in the expanded business district continued. More than 50 major brick buildings were constructed and in 1909-1910, the city paved 35 blocks of streets with bricks and constructed 25 miles of concrete sidewalks with granite curbing.  Downtown was then the place most people went to shop, bank, worship, recreate, or participate in the political life of the community whether they went there every day or once a season.

Trent Waterfront late 1960

Aerial View of Waterfront - 1960

In the 1920’s the decline of the lumber industry led to an economic downturn and New Bern’s decline as a port city.  The growth of trucking and the auto industry led to the post WWII exodus to the suburbs and further deterioration of the downtown and its waterfront. In the late 1960’s, early 1970’s, 14 acres of commercial buildings on the Trent waterfront were demolished through a federal urban renewal program. The objective was to redevelop the waterfront and a Development Commission was established.

Throughout the decade of the 1950’s, the waterfront was used for fishing boating and sailing and outboard motor races. By the 1970’s the sport of sailing in the Neuse led to the creation of two yacht clubs.   

Union Point Park Today

Aerial View of New Bern Today

In 1977, the Downtown Revitalization Plan commissioned by local officials and business leaders, articulated the goal of transforming the entire downtown waterfront…taking it from its slum conditions to a place of beauty, a place where people of all ages, races, and walks of life could enjoy the spectacular beauty of the two rivers joining forces. The Plan pointed out  expanding tourism, developing recreational opportunities and attracting retirees could be the catalyst for the revitalization of the  downtown and the redevelopment of its waterfront.  Swiss Bear, a private nonprofit, was organized to stimulate and coordinate the downtown revitalization effort in partnership with the public sector. Many partners joined in the effort. Over the past 30 years, four hotels, three marinas, a riverfront convention center, Farmers Market, and the NC History Center, redevelopment of Union Point Park and Council Bluff Green, removal of the old Neuse River Bridge, development of the Riverwalk along the two rivers (to provide public access to the waterfront ) the new Neuse River Bridge and replacement of the Alfred Cunningham Bridge transformed the downtown and waterfront. Tourism is a major industry and downtown and its waterfront is a destination.

New Bern’s willingness to adapt to the needs of the time, led to its growth and development in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, and  again in the late twentieth and early twenty first century. The spectacular waterfront setting, convenient accessibility to boat traffic and public access to the waterfront has made this area increasingly valuable to the on-going development of New Bern and Craven County.

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director