Area History
Camden County was formed in 1777 and was named for Charles Pratt, First Lord of Camden. The historic Camden Jailhouse is a two-story brick structure, rebuilt after a fire in 1910. The Camden Courthouse was built in 1847, in the Greek Revival Style, and is still in use today for county business.
Camden's History
The historic Dismal Swamp Canal which opened in 1805 is the oldest continually operating man-made canal in the United States. The canal is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, designated as a National Civil Engineering Landmark, a part of the North Carolina and Virginia Civil War Trail and Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. It is also recognized as part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom and a site on the NC Black Heritage Tour. The Dismal Swamp provided a formidable refuge for runaway enslaved people, or freedom seekers. During the Civil War, attempts to destroy the canal, an important supply link, resulted in the The Battle of South Mills. In later years, notorious moonshiners would also hide their recreational enterprises in the deep, vine covered canopies. Logging history took place in this vast expanse of Atlantic White Cedars. Today, the Dismal Swamp State Park provides exhibits and Ranger programs to educate the public about its colorful past.
Historic Camden County Courthouse
Construction on the historic Camden County Courthouse began in 1846, following a fire that burned the original wooden county structure (1782). This Greek Revival brick structure stands on the site of the original courthouse and was completed in 1847. Several additions and renovations have been made to the courthouse since 1898.
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Resource: Camden County Courthouse History
Featured In: NC Black Heritage Tour - Camden County Itinerary
