Havelock NC and MCAS Cherry Point

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Located on four-lane US 70, Havelock is no more than a half-hour's drive to the east from the warm Atlantic beaches of the "Crystal Coast" area of Morehead City, Atlantic Beach, and Emerald Isle. And, 20 minutes to the west is historic New Bern,

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NC. Havelock is bounded on one side by the Neuse River and on the other by the 160,000-acre Croatan National Forest.

Havelock is the home of the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. The world's largest Marine Corps aviation facility, Cherry Point has the mission of maintaining a combat-ready aerial strike force for the nation's defense.

 Population/Growth

Havelock was incorporated as a city in 1958. According to the North Carolina Office of State Planning, Havelock is the 2nd most populous city in Craven, Pamlico, and Carteret Counties. Currently Havelock hosts approximately 22,000 residents.

Havelock is a growing community ranking 28th in the state. This strong progressive community is dedicated to supporting the mission of Cherry Point Marine Air Station, while encouraging orderly growth and development.

Although the area was among the first settled in North Carolina, the official population in 1950 was 100. The population in 1965 was about 3,500. Many of the city's current residents are affiliated with the adjacent Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station.

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Havelock has always welcomed visitors. The lovely woods of the Croatan Forest (A 150,000+ acre national forest), and the many waterways including several creeks and Yhe beautiful mile-wide Neuse River here welcomed some of the earliest settlers in America. Havelock has plantation sites dating back as early as 1707.

This area welcomed the coming of the railroad in 1858 at a time that a British general was gaining worldwide fame for his heroic rescues of hostage citizens during a bloody uprising in India. When the Atlantic and North Carolina tracks came to a crossroads and a depot was built, it needed a name. The local folks embraced the name of General Henry Havelock for their budding community. Sir Henry was a devout Christian and a military genius. The story of his courage gives inspiration to this day.

This city is one of eight in the world named for Sir Henry Havelock. Two are in Canada; three are in the United States. There is one Havelock in Swaziland of Southern Africa and two in New Zealand. There is also an island named for him in the Indian Ocean.

Keller Williams

The town of Havelock Station saw action during the Civil War when elements of the Rhode Island Heavy Artillery under the command of General Ambrose Burnside stormed ashore on the beach near what is now the Officer's Club at Cherry Point. The Union forces quickly took control of the hamlet and its railroad depot using Havelock as a starting point for the capture of New Bern and Fort Macon. The operation in March 1862 provided the first major foothold in the South for the Yankees.

The Union troops had few kind comments about the area, calling it desolate, snake-infested and muddy. One correspondent said the only comfort for the soldiers was the "chain-lightning whiskey" available from local stores and farm houses.

Wills and other records indicate that production of "naval store" such as tar and turpentine had more economic impact here than did farming. While most people farmed, the greater income was produced through the operation of turpentine distilleries and tar kilns.

Meet Recon Roscoe

With the advent of the steam engine during and following the Civil War, wooden ships began to be replaced and the market for tar, pitch and turpentine collapsed. To make ends meet, more than a few local families switched from turpentine distillation to the distillation of something with a little more kick to it. Local legend has it that Havelock and nearby Harlowe became reknown for the quality of their "moonshine" and that a few fortunes were based on the copper coil.

From the late 1800s until the 1930s, the Havelock area was a haven for hunters and fishermen. Sportmen came from all over the east coast to enjoy the river and forests. Several old-timers' albums boast photos of baseball stars Babe Ruth and Christie Mathewson and then-famous cartoonist Bud Fisher decked out in hunting gear in the local woods.

Havelock welcomed the United States Marine Corps in 1940. Today, visitors are often seen craning their necks as a Harrier or Intruder streaks by overhead. Local residents are used to the roar acknowledged by a sign near the base's main gate which reads, "Pardon our noise. It's the sound of freedom."

Historical information courtesy of Eddie Ellis, Havelock's  Historian.

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