Historic Princeville, on the banks of the Tar River in eastern North Carolina, is one hurricane away from disaster. The town, which stakes its claim as the oldest in the
Princeville, North Carolina, has endured many threats throughout its history. But the town that stakes its claim as the oldest chartered by Black Americans nearly 140 years ago faces another
As she exits her hometown’s only restaurant clutching an order of cabbage and hush puppies, Carolyn Suggs Bandy pauses to boast about a place that stakes its claim as the oldest town chartered by Black Americans nearly 140 years ago. “It is sacred to me,” said Bandy, 65. “We got roots in this town.” Yet…
Princeville, which stakes its claim as the first in the U.S. founded by Black Americans nearly 140 years ago, has flooded many times. Two hurricanes 17 years apart created catastrophic flooding in the town, which was built on swampy, low-lying land.