Comments made by Mayor Richard Stanley during the Opening Ceremony for Beaufort's 300th Anniversary Celebration held on December 31, 2008:
300 Years ago our forefathers brought forth in this area a new settlement, conceived in opportunities, teeming with beauty and abundant resources, and representing a hope and life quite different from the economic, religious and political strife in the countries of their fathers.
Originally known as “Fish Town”, tonight we celebrate the first moments of our 300th year. We commemorate the few brave settlers who built the first dwellings, suffered famine and hardships, and endured conflict with native Americans.
Through perseverance our forefathers fought for freedom in the Revolutionary War, established this place as a customs port, raised families, lived on the land and out of the sea, and provided for the governance of Beaufort.
Slowly over 2 centuries houses were built, commerce established, and education and religious freedoms promoted and nurtured. Fish Town slowly and steadily grew even though captured by pirates, suffered through the wars of 1812 and the Civil War, and were occupied by Federal forces during the war that divided our states.
Living and subsisting mainly on the sea, this town fell into somewhat of a sleep following the Civil War. Other than fishing, boat building and farming, the Industrial Revolution passed Beaufort by. Again World Wars I and II offered danger and threats to our safety and took many of our citizen soldiers. Until rail came in the early 20th century there were little communications with towns and areas to the west as our only means of travel took us north along highway 101 or by boat.
Beaufort began to be known as a summer resort where seafood was plentiful and the pleasures of recreation on the water were relished. Beginning in the early 1960's, and due to the efforts and leadership of citizens such as John Costlow, Grayden Paul, Kathryn Cloud and others, we began to realize the beauty of this place, the magnificent trees lining our streets, the old restored homes that owners over the years had taken such pride in. We sensed that our way of life, culture and history were indeed worthy to be preserved. In the 1970's and 1980's, we began waterfront renewal. Our docks and Taylor’s Creek setting has bought in many visitors over the years and given our citizens a great sense of pride.