Arapahoe

History

Arapahoe was founded a few years after New Bern, North Carolina by settlers leaving the New Bern colony. This area was settled in 1703 on the old Indian trail from the big bend in the river heading west to Core Point. The community was called “Bethany Crossroads”. That Indian trail is still in use today but is now called North Carolina Highway 306. In 1886 Bob Hardison, after discussing it with his friend Bob Bowden decided to apply to the U.S. Postal Department for a Post office to be located at “Bethany Crossroads” in Pamlico County. They filled out an application and both signed it. When it was returned to them it was addressed to “Bob’s Town”, the reason being that there was already a “Bethany Crossroads” in the vicinity of Fayetteville. Neither of the Bobs liked “Bob’s Town” so they had to come up with a different name. After a lengthy discussion Bob Hardison said “Well if you have no objection, we will name it after my old white horse, Arapahoe.” So it was decided and a new application filed. It was likely a year or longer before all paperwork was completed, but “Bethany Crossroads” was no more and there by named the Town of Arapahoe. Arapahoe is a Native American tribe whose historic territory spanned regions of present-day Wyoming and Colorado.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land. Arapahoe is located near the mouth of the Neuse River at Pamlico Sound. From Arapahoe (and through Minnesott Beach), the North Carolina Ferry System has a 20-minute ferry ride from Minnesott Beach to Cherry Branch. This ferry ride leads to Havelock, Atlantic Beach, Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station, and Beaufort.

Most-observed species

• Carolina Wren

  Thryothorus ludovicianus (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  6,475
• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  6,471
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  5,672
• Red-bellied Woodpecker

  Melanerpes carolinus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  5,359
• Carolina Chickadee

  Poecile carolinensis (Audubon, 1834) · Aves
  5,199
• Northern Mockingbird

  Mimus polyglottos (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  4,794
• Eastern Bluebird

  Sialia sialis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  4,660
• Tufted Titmouse

  Baeolophus bicolor (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  4,620

Largest nearby schools

• Arapahoe Charter School
  Other · Arapahoe · 484 students · 12.4:1 ratio
• Pamlico County High
  High · Bayboro · 464 students · 11.6:1 ratio
• Pamlico County Primary
  Elementary · Bayboro · 345 students · 12.8:1 ratio
• Pamlico County Middle
  Middle · Bayboro · 271 students · 13.6:1 ratio
• Fred A Anderson Elementary
  Elementary · Bayboro · 164 students · 13.7:1 ratio

Most recent

• M 2.9 — 2014-02-11
  7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina