Martin: Roanoke River, Trails and History

Martin County combines the Roanoke River with river trails, horseback riding opportunities, and a diverse history. When different interests come together in your travel group, you can combine water-based experiences, outdoor activities, and historical discoveries into different travel focuses. When choosing a vacation rental in Martin, it is therefore particularly useful to consider whether you want to focus your stay on the river, on trails through the landscape, or on historic sites.

Roanoke River and Trails Through the Landscape

The Roanoke River runs through Martin County and offers paddling and camping trails as well as opportunities for rock fishing. The Roanoke River State Trail allows paddling, fishing, and camping; there are platforms for overnight stays along the route. This means that, in addition to traveling on the water itself, a special form of accommodation along the route is also available.

The Skewarkee Rail Trail is of interest for walks and bike rides. It is connected to the Roanoke River Boardwalk and runs through landscapes along the Roanoke River. The trail also intersects trails in the NC Birding Wildlife Viewing Trails program. If you are looking for another outdoor activity, Martin County Equine Trail offers a shaded, 1-mile loop for horseback riding.

Williamston's boat ramp has parking for boat trailers as well as a fishing pier or boardwalk. It is the only boat ramp in Martin County with a restroom. Such specific differences can matter when planning if you want to spend your days by the water and choose the right surroundings for your accommodation.

Historic Sites in Williamston

Williamston is a cultural focal point. The Asa Biggs House was built in 1835 and combines the Greek Revival and Federal architectural styles. In 1979, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. A self-guided tour is available at the Asa Biggs House Visitor's Center on Church Street in Williamston.

The Williamston Commercial District is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The city's historic attractions also include the Old Martin County Courthouse, built around 1885; the Doctor W. Bagley Office, built around 1850; and the Skewarkey Primitive Baptist Church, built around 1853. The Historic Church Trail complements these sites with a self-guided tour and on-site information panels about the history and architecture of the churches.

The Williamston Colored School offers further insights into regional history. The one-story red-brick building was built with support from the Julius Rosenwald Fund and the State Literary Fund as the first modern high school for African Americans in Williamston. In Everetts, you can also see the J.T. Barnhill Building on US Business 64/13. It continues to serve as a general store and has a painted advertising sign on the exterior.

Hamilton, Educational History, and Local Discoveries

A self-guided tour of houses and other buildings in Historic Hamilton is available at Hamilton Town Hall. Hamilton's National Register Historic District includes buildings with antebellum houses dating from 1830 to 1850. The St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Hamilton, built around 1881, is a Gothic Revival-style frame church.

Interpretive panels are located at the historic site of the Hamilton Rosenwald School, built around 1920. The Roanoke River Underground Railroad Trail has markers at the Rosenwald School in Hamilton. The Rosenwald River Center was historically known as Hamilton Colored School; preservation work is underway on the building so that it can serve as a visitor and community center and provide information about its role in the Underground Railroad. Fort Branch was privately restored and is regularly opened to the public as a regional historic site.

There are also varied reasons to visit beyond the river and architecture: At JLS Alpacas, you can interact with alpacas and learn about life on a farm. Robersonville is home to the St. James Place Museum. Before searching for accommodation, decide which of these topics are most important to you, and if you plan to visit several sites, check the exact distances separately. For further orientation within the broader selection, you can also find Avery County, Guilford, Mitchell County, Mecklenburg, New Hanover, Craven County and Swain County.

For the broader travel overview: North Carolina.