tion, the association opened several of 

 the older homes that were in good con- 

 dition for tour. And to increase com- 

 munity pride, they established a 

 plaque program, giving historical 

 markers to restored homes 100 or more 

 years old. After the town's anniver- 

 sary, the group raised money to im- 

 prove other houses and buildings now 

 on display in the Historical Complex 

 area of Beaufort. 



"Since then it has been a going 

 thing," Fulford says. "As the years 

 have progressed, as people see things 

 come about, the people want to get in- 

 volved." 



Preservationists, administrators, 

 women's clubs, the Beaufort Jaycees 

 and the Garden Club were a few who 

 got involved. Beaufort was in the 

 process of getting back on its feet in 

 1963, says Blankenship, when it began 

 a major thrust of its revitalization 

 campaign — urban renewal. 



Most of the citizens and the commis- 

 sion wanted to bring in new businesses 

 that would help the county. Because 

 they justified the improvement would 

 bolster the economy, Beaufort 

 received a federal grant for more than 

 $1.2 million. And in 1968, the town ap- 

 proved a $250,000 bond referendum to 

 aid in the urban renewal. 



The commission originally planned 

 to rebuild 18 blocks near the water- 

 front. However, federal funds were cut 

 during President Richard Nixon's ad- 

 ministration, and the area was reduced 

 to two blocks on the south side of the 

 main street. Front Street. 



The revitalization was a joint effort 

 between the historical association and 

 the urban renewal project, says 

 Blankenship. The association worked 

 with the commission to devise an area 

 that would complement the town's 

 historic, friendly atmosphere. 



"In the beginning, when we had the 

 referendum, there was some opposi- 

 tion," says Blankenship. "Since that 

 time, since the project has been im- 

 plemented, the majority of those peo- 

 ple that were against it are not now." 



By 1976, five tracts of land were 

 cleared for the businesses that the 

 commission agreed would be ap- 

 propriate. Construction began for the 

 new bulkhead and boardwalk, and 

 areas were designated for paving and 

 parking. 



In addition, Beaufort later qualified 

 for an additional $1 million com- 

 munity development block grant as a 



result of receiving the urban renewal 

 grant. With this money, new water 

 and sewer lines were put in a blighted 

 area of town, and funds were made 

 available to homeowners for renova- 

 tion. 



Today, most residents and visitors 

 agree the changes have been good ones. 

 The historical association has opened 

 10 structures for tour and awarded 

 more than 100 plaques throughout 

 Beaufort. The downtown project 

 brings in sailors from all over the world 

 and new developers to the outskirts of 

 the town. Apartments, shopping cen- 

 ters, subdivisions, inns and new 

 businesses have located in the county, 

 helping to bring the 1983 tax base to 

 $75 million. 



Waterfront revitalization proves to 

 be a solution for many dying coastal 

 towns and cities. But Beaufort's story 

 reads like a fairy tale, say Cloud and 

 Shannon. "The magic ingredients just 

 happened to come together," boasts 

 Cloud. 



Nearly 4,500 people live in Beaufort 

 now, and about 1 million visit it an- 

 nually. As in the past, natives and 

 sailors are lured to the port's good 

 fishing, safe harbor, stately homes and 

 quaint shops along the waterfront. 



Blankenship and Fulford believe the 

 growth and development has leveled 

 off. "I feel we've accomplished a lot of 

 goals," says Fulford. "We can just 



Photo by Tabbie Nance 



grow so much. I think we've just about 

 reached our potential." 



Besides, says Cloud, "Beaufort is off 

 the beaten path. People want it to be 

 small, quaint and quiet. It's part of the 

 charm." 



— Sarah Friday 



Photo by Sarah Friday 



Above, Beaufort courthouse; below, tourists peek at the past in the 

 town 's Historical Complex 



