Hertford National Register Historic District  

The quintessential small town with antique shops, cafes, and friendly folks ready to greet you.

Come Home to Hertford andspend some time in one of the region’s most picturesque and best-preservedtowns with seventy-five percent of the buildings contributing to the historicdistrict designation. Make your first stop the Perquimans Countyand Town of Hertford Visitor Center at 118 W. Market Street 
(Hours: Monday – Friday; 10-4; Saturday, 10 – 1; Closed Sundays)

While in Hertford, takesome time to stroll the streetsgrab some lunch, have a picnic on the river, enjoy the Perquimans CountyCourthouse Green, and savor all that this small town has to offer.

Hertford dates to a 1669land grant and was originally known as Phelps Point. In 1758 the town of Hertford was chartered and named for North Carolina governor’s political patron,the Earl of Hertford. The town’s street names of Grubb, Hyde Park, and CoventGarden still reflect this colonial link to Britain.

The 1798 construction of afloat bridge across the Perquimans River provided easieraccess to Hertford and led to a period of great growth. In 1928 this bridge wasreplaced with the current S-shaped swing bridge, the only one of its type inthe nation. A moonlight view from the bridge inspired songwriter Benny Davis topen “Carolina Moon” as he traveled to visit his sweetheart.

After the Civil War,former slaves joined the town’s population. Located at the corner of King Street and Hyde Park is one of the few monuments in the countryerected to the Black Union soldiers.

Hertford’s handsome QueenAnne and Colonial Revival style homes built during the late nineteenth centuryreflect the town’s prosperity at that time.

During World War II,Hertford was bustling with activity from nearby Harvey Point Naval Air Station.

Baseball Hall-of-Famer  Jim”Catfish” Hunter  wasa proud Hertford native. After retiring, Hunter returned to Hertford to farmand lived here until his early death in 1999.

Recognizing the town’sappeal, Hertford was named a North Carolina  Main StreetCommunity  in 2000 anda North Carolina Heritage Tourism Pilot Community in 1998.