Topics Related to This Day in North Carolina History

On May 29, 1888, the first Belk department store opened under the name the “New York Racket” in Monroe. The store was founded by William Henry Belk, only 25 at the time.

On May 29, 1664, settlers from Barbados under John Vassall disembarked on the Cape Fear River.

On May 28, 1900, a total solar eclipse occurred.

On May 28, 1845, John Reed, the owner of the property where the first documented discovery of gold in the United States took place, died. In 1799, Reed’s son, Conrad, found a 17-pound yellow rock in Little Meadow Creek.

On May 26, 1864, a deadly torpedo explosion occurred at Batchelor’s Creek, about eight miles west of New Bern. For the Union forces stationed there, the losses were devastating.

On May 26, 1884, the Watauga Club was founded.