Halifax

August 23, 2025

Halifax

If you look at the North Carolina State flag, you'll notice the date "April 12, 1776." It is the date of the adoption of the "Halifax Resolves" by North Carolina's Fourth Provincial Congress. The resolves were the first official act by any colony to call for independence from Britain.

Halifax County Courthouse

The town of Halifax, located in Northeastern North Carolina, is where the Provincial Congress met and issued its resolves. Now the seat of the county that shares its name, Halifax is home to a State Historic Site, where visitors can explore life in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Halifax and Halifax County are named after the 2nd Earl of Halifax and Secretary of the British Board of Trade, George Montagu-Dunk. The town of Halifax was formed within Edgecombe County in 1757. The following year, Halifax County was created, carved out of Edgecombe.

Eagle Tavern dates to 1790 and is part of Historic Halifax State Historic Site. George Washington possibly stayed here, as did the Marquis de LaFayette.

During the Revolution, Halifax was one of North Carolina's most active locations. The 5th Provincial Congress created and ratified the state's first constitution here. The General Assembly met in Halifax from 1778 to 1780. British Lord Cornwallis briefly occupied Halifax in 1781 as he marched north towards Yorktown.

Halifax's importance as a commerce hub continued into the early 1800s. Today, it is a small community of nearly 200 residents. Halifax continues to serve as the Halifax County Seat. Over half a dozen buildings within Halifax are found in the National Register of Historic Places. Further, within the Halifax Historic District are other buildings that do not have an individual designation.

The former Halifax Jail.

Historic Halifax State Historic Site has been in operation since 1965. Self-guided tours are free. However, guided tours do have a small fee. Historic Halifax State Historic Site is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

All photos taken by post author - May 7, 2011.

Sources & Links: