The Tar Heel State: Fascinating North Carolina Facts You May Not Know
View of the beautiful mountains of North Carolina from the historic Blue Ridge Parkway during the fall. Photo courtesy of Flyover State Pride, LLC.
North Carolina is consistently ranked as one of the fastest growing states in the country, and for good reason. Known as the "Tar Heel State," it stands out as a dynamic and geographically diverse state in the American Southeast.
It is defined by three major regions: the Coastal Plain (home to the Outer Banks), the central Piedmont, and the majestic Mountain Region, featuring the beautiful Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountain Ranges.
North Carolina's population is largely concentrated in the central Piedmont region, which is home to all of its largest cities: Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Winston-Salem. Beyond its big cities, however, lies unmatched natural beauty, southern charm, unique mountain communities, and a rich history.
It’s by far one of my favorite states to visit and would probably not be considered a “flyover state” by most people. We could write books about what makes North Carolina special and unique, and people definitely have. For now, though, we’ll just highlight some unique and interesting facts.
Historical & Cultural Firsts
First in Flight: The first successful sustained flight of a self-propelled aircraft by the Wright Brothers took place on the dunes of Kitty Hawk in 1903.
Photograph shows the first powered, controlled, sustained flight by the Wright Brothers. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
The Lost Colony: Roanoke Island was the site of the first English colony in the New World (1587), which famously disappeared without a trace, leaving only the word "Croatoan" carved into a post.
First Public University: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was the first public university in the United States to open its doors and give out degrees in the 18th century (1795).
Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola: Pepsi was invented in New Bern in 1898 by pharmacist Caleb Bradham, who first marketed it as "Brad's Drink" to aid in digestion.
The Tar Heel State nickname is believed to come from North Carolina's colonial history as a major producer of naval stores (tar, pitch, and turpentine) derived from its extensive pine forests. These sticky, dark products were essential for sealing and preserving wooden ships. Workers who processed the pine sap often had tar or pitch stuck to their heels, leading to the moniker "Tar Heels." During the Civil War, the nickname became a source of pride, signifying that North Carolina soldiers were so tenacious they "stuck" to the battlefield like they had tar on their heels.
North Carolina’s other nickname, "The Old North State," is also the state’s official state song. It dates back to the division of the original Carolina colony in 1710 into North Carolina and South Carolina. North Carolina, being the earlier and northernmost settlement, was simply referred to as the "Old North State."
Sheet music for The Old North State, North Carolina’s official state song. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Geography and Nature
Highest Point in the East: Mount Mitchell, at 6,684 feet, is the highest peak in the Appalachian Mountains and the highest point east of the Mississippi River.
The "Graveyard of the Atlantic": The treacherous waters off the coast of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore has over 600 documented shipwrecks. If the entire Outer Banks coast is included, however, the numbers are estimated to be between 2,000-5,000 shipwrecks, earning the area this dramatic nickname.
World's Only Native Home of the Venus Flytrap: This carnivorous plant is naturally found only in a small region of the coastal plain, primarily within about a 75-mile radius of Wilmington.
Tallest Lighthouse: The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on the Outer Banks is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Unique Birthplaces
The Root of NASCAR: Stock car racing (and eventually NASCAR) has its origins in the hills of North Carolina, particularly in Wilkes County. During Prohibition, local moonshiners modified their cars to be fast enough to outrun federal agents ("revenuers") on the rural roads, giving birth to a unique driving skill and a new sport.
Andy Griffith's Hometown: Mount Airy is the birthplace and childhood home of actor Andy Griffith. He drew heavily on his memories, the people, and the culture of this small town to create the idyllic, gentle world of Mayberry.
Andy Griffith and Ron Howard (as Opie) from The Andy Griffith Show. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
The Original Krispy Kreme: The famous donut chain, Krispy Kreme, started in Winston-Salem in 1937. Vernon Rudolph bought a secret yeast-raised donut recipe from a New Orleans French chef and started selling them to local grocery stores.
Babe Ruth's First Home Run: Baseball legend Babe Ruth hit his first professional home run in Fayetteville on March 7, 1914.
Architectural and Geological Giants
America's Largest Home: The Biltmore Estate in Asheville is the largest privately owned home in the United States. Completed in 1895, the mansion has 250 rooms and sits on 8,000 acres.
The Mile-High Swinging Bridge: Located in Grandfather Mountain, this famous suspension bridge spans 228 feet and offers stunning, mile-high views of the surrounding peaks.
Oldest Mountains: The Uwharrie Mountains, located in the central Piedmont region, are among the oldest mountains in North America, viewed by archaeologists as potentially predating the Appalachians.
Unexpected Quirks
America's First Gold Rush: Before California, the first documented gold find in the U.S. occurred in Cabarrus County in 1799. A 12-year-old boy found a 17-pound gold nugget that his family used as a doorstop for three years!
Official State Soda: Cheerwine is an iconic staple of North Carolina and is often called the "Nectar of North Carolina." It’s been a family-owned company since 1917 and contains no alcohol despite its name. It was given this title because of its burgundy-red color (like a wine) and the "cheer" or good feeling it was intended to induce.
Cheerwine, North Carolina’s official soda. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Sweet Potato King: North Carolina is the nation's largest producer of sweet potatoes, which is also the official state vegetable.
It’s easy to see how North Carolina has become one of the most flocked-to states in the U.S. Between the mountains, the cities, and the coast, it has a little bit of everything for everybody. I’m partial to the mountains myself, but it’s wonderful that it’s so close to the beaches, too, which are stunning. North Carolina has so much to offer and would definitely be worth your while for your next vacation.
Visit the North Carolina tourism website for more information to help plan your visit.
As a sidenote: I have no affiliation with any of the links that I shared and make no money from promoting them.