Historic Plymouth, on the south bank of the Roanoke River in northeastern North Carolina, played an important role as a major port in bygone years. The town was laid out in 1787 and designated as a Port of Entry. It had its own Customs House and a collector. Shipments of cypress shingles, lumber and other wood products and agricultural produce to the northern ports of Norfolk, Baltimore, New York and Boston as well as the West Indies made it prosper until the outbreak of the Civil War. That same prominence as a shipping center made it in great demand during the Civil War, sought by both Union and Confederate forces. The sinking of the confederate ironclad the C. S. S. RAM Albemarle on October 27, 1864 preceded today's reenactments of the many nearby battles of the war. On April 14, 1898 a raging fire destroyed most of the commercial district, but you'll find today's historic district down shady lanes amongst the dogwoods, azaleas and crepe myrtles. Begin your visit at the Port O'Plymouth Museum on Water Street. Walking tours and a waterfront boardwalk are available. Historic Plymouth is one of many sites on the Historic Albemarle Tour (www.historicalbemarletour.org)