On October 6, 1963, “Bandon,” the beloved plantation home of author Inglis Fletcher, burned.
Fletcher, the author of the Carolina Series–12 historical novels set in eastern North Carolina during the colonial and revolutionary period–purchased the early 19th century property with her husband in 1944. The mansion and several outbuildings were situated on just over 60 acres north of Edenton on the shores of the Chowan River. The house had been unoccupied for 18 years and was in a state of disrepair when the Fletchers bought it. A schoolhouse on the grounds dated to the 1750s, while the plantation house itself was completed around 1800.
At the time of the fire, Fletcher and her grandson were watching television on Bandon’s second floor. The blaze was discovered by neighbors who spotted flames coming from the roof. The fire was believed to have started in the attic.
Although the mansion was fully engulfed by the time firefighters arrived, neighbors had moved much of the antique furniture on the first floor out onto the lawn. Fletcher sold the land the following year, and the schoolhouse was moved to Edenton.
Other related resources:
- Fiction on NCpedia
For more about North Carolina’s history, arts and culture, visit Cultural Resources online. To receive these updates automatically each day, subscribe by email using the box on the right and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.