1668History
The history of European colonization dates back to 1668, making the Albemarle the country's oldest colonial inhabited area, second only to Jamestown and adjacent settlements in ...
1793Architecture
In 1793, businessmen supported construction of the Dismal Swamp Canal; it was integral to the success of Elizabeth City's commerce.
1794Government
Founded in 1794, Elizabeth City prospered early on from the Dismal Swamp Canal as a mercantile city.
1801History
Due to resulting confusion with another town of the same name, in 1801, the city was renamed as "Elizabeth City".
1826Infrastructure
In 1826, the federal government purchased 600 stocks in the canal and, in 1829, additional funds for improvements were raised by the Norfolk lottery.
1827History
Further bolstering Elizabeth City's financial success, the US customs house was relocated in 1827 from Camden County to Elizabeth City.
1829History
From 1829 to 1832, Elizabeth City's tolls tripled for commercial shipping.
1859Architecture
The Albemarle–Chesapeake Canal, completed in 1859, created a deeper channel for merchants shipping goods from the eastern Albemarle Sound to Norfolk.
1881Government
This line had first been established in 1881 as the Elizabeth City and Norfolk Railroad, later renamed the Norfolk Southern Railway.
1884History
The Independent was published by William Oscar "W.O." Saunders (1884-1940).
1891Government
Founded as a normal school in 1891, it now serves the higher educational needs of northeastern North Carolina's sixteen counties, offering 28 undergraduate and four master's deg...
1908History
The Independent was a weekly newspaper serving Elizabeth City and the surrounding Albemarle area from 1908 to 1939.
1911History
== Media ==
The Daily Advance has served as Elizabeth City's sole daily newspaper since its founding by Herbert Peele in 1911.
1914History
Owned and formally operated by Pasquotank County, Albemarle Hospital has been in operation since 1914, relocating to its current location in 1960.
1927History
Among these are the most striking architectural feature of the greater Albemarle region, the Virginia Dare Hotel, and Arcade, which has dominated the skyline of Elizabeth City s...
1929History
Elizabeth City was the 1929 birthplace of the American Moth Boat, a class of recreational sailboats invented by Dr.
1933Government
Ehringhaus, governor of North Carolina from 1933 to 1937 and for whom Ehringhaus Street, a major thoroughfare, is named.
1940Government
Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City was established in 1940 and Navy Air Station Weeksville in 1941 to provide valuable surveillance by seaplane and dirigible of German U-boa...
1941Military
The current airship facilities evolved from what had previously been Naval Air Station Weeksville, operational from 1941 to 1957.
1942Military
Additionally from 1942 to 1944, the Elizabeth City Shipyard supported the war effort with much of its production: thirty 111-foot SC-class submarine chasers, four YT-class yard ...
1946History
Owens (born 1946), former chairman and CEO of Caterpillar Inc.
1947History
Passenger service to Elizabeth City ended in 1947.
1948Government
Mid-Atlantic Christian University, a private Christian institution founded in 1948, is located along the Pasquotank River north of downtown Elizabeth City.
1950Sports
For two years, 1950 and 1951, Elizabeth City was home to a professional minor league baseball team.
1960Government
It is known as the first community college to be established under the (North Carolina) Community College Act of 1960.
1968History
Scott Sanders (born 1968), screenwriter and director known for Black Dynamite
=== Other ===
Franklin D.
1969History
Mainline US 17 continues through Elizabeth City as Hughes Boulevard (the former US 17 Bypass from 1969 to 2002).
1984Education
Davis Library, the main library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill since it opened in 1984, is named for him, he having been a trustee at the university for 16 y...
1995Disaster
This latter hangar was the largest wooden structure in the world until its demise by fire in 1995.
2002History
(2002–present) is a fully access-controlled and Interstate-grade freeway.
2004Economy
2004-2010
Walter Royal Davis (January 11, 1920 – May 19, 2008) was a Texas oil tycoon and philanthropist originally from Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
2005History
Foster, who served from 2005 to 2007, and John Bell, who served from 1971 to 1981 and again from 2001 to 2005.
2006History
The USCG Air Station and the Aviation Technical Training Center (ATTC) in Elizabeth City were featured in numerous scenes of the 2006 Disney movie The Guardian, standing in for ...
2008History
In 2008, the Albemarle Health system came under the day-to-day management of Greenville-based Vidant Health, although ownership and most executive decisions remained with the co...
2009History
In mid-2009, the Daily Advance was bought by Cooke Communications.
2010History
Elizabeth City is the center of the Elizabeth City Micropolitan Statistical Area, with a population of 64,094 as of 2010.
2012Culture
Starting in October 2012, the county began soliciting offers for affiliation with neighboring healthcare systems in order to cement Albemarle Hospital's position as the region's...
2013Education
Declining enrollment at the Elizabeth City State University branch of UNC's Eshelman School of Pharmacy forced UNC System President Thomas Ross to suspend the program in Februar...
2016Military
As of June 2016, cable television and Internet is provided by Spectrum (brand), a result of the merger of Charter Communications, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks.
2020History
As of January 2020, the Elizabeth City Shipyard is no longer in operation.
2025History
As of January 2025, the city manager position is vacant, with the city actively seeking a new city manager.