Princeville

Settled right after the Civil War in 1865, Princeville is the oldest incorporated Black town in the United States. Lying just south of the Tar River from the county seat of Tarboro in Edgecombe County, Princeville was originally called Freedom Hill by the freed slaves who had gathered and sought refuge at a Union Army camp along the Tar River flood plain. In 1885, Freedom Hill was officially incorporated and, in honor of the man involved in the building of so many of the town's homes, renamed by its citizens as Princeville.

Today, Princeville remains a cohesive Black community with a heritage unique among NC towns. Princeville has experienced repeated flooding, most notably by Hurricane Floyd in September 1999. Recovery efforts brought national attention to the town.