Historic Hertford  

Take a self-guided walking tour of picturesque Hertford—featuring waterfront homes, the historic Perquimans County Courthouse, and a commercial district with antique shops and cafes

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

While in Hertford, take some time to stroll the streets, have a picnic on the river, enjoy the Perquimans County Courthouse Green, and savor all that this small town has to offer.

Hertford dates to a 1669 land 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 Covent Garden still reflect this colonial link to Britain.

The 1798 construction of a float bridge across the Perquimans River provided easier access to Hertford and led to a period of great growth. In 1928 this bridge was replaced with the current S-shaped swing bridge, the only one of its type in the nation. A moonlight view from the bridge inspired songwriter Benny Davis to pen “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 country erected to the Black Union soldiers.

Hertford’s handsome Queen Anne and Colonial Revival style homes built during the late nineteenth century reflect 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 was a proud Hertford native. After retiring, Hunter returned to Hertford to farm and lived here until his early death in 1999.

Recognizing the town’s appeal, Hertford was named a North Carolina Main Street Community in 2000 and a North Carolina Heritage Tourism Pilot Community in 1998.