Rediscovering New Bern 



L 



J_t's likely that a visitor's first sight of 

 New Bern is a quick windshield glance at the 

 picturesque waterfront — a panorama of 

 tidy marinas, handsome architecture, church 

 spires, and the city's signature clock tower. 



The raised highway/bridge complex 

 offering the spectacular view is itself an 

 awesome engineering feat Its multi-arms 

 reach east toward the coast, arch across a wide 

 expanse of the Neuse River to Bridgeton, and 



by Pam Smith 



loop into New Bern to deliver motorists to the 

 heart of the downtown historic district 



To travel New Bern streets is to retrace its 

 nearly 300-year history. New Bern was founded 

 in 1710 by Swiss and German immigrants, who 

 named it for the Swiss capital of Bern. It would 

 become the colonial capital of North Carolina; 

 cultivate seeds of revolution; host President 

 George Washington; and serve as the first state 

 capital. 



For history buffs, New Bern offers more 

 than historic markers along tree-lined streets. 

 Upward of 150 significant homes, churches 

 and other buildings — places where history 

 was made — already have been restored. 

 And, you literally can smell the paint drying 

 on additional projects in nearly every part 

 of town — from residential to commercial 

 quarters. 



Continued 



COASTWATCH 21 



