Record #:

43591

Author(s):

John F. Leys

Abstract:

This article is discussing the history of the district of Ghent in New Bern. Ghent’s went through major development between the years of 1912-1941 but the suburb was established in 1894. The land that Ghent is comprised of was originally a plantation owned and ran by the Rhem family. In 1911 the Spencer’s sold the remainder of the land in their holding to Callaghan J. McCarthy, Mayor of New Bern at the time, and Ernest C. Armstrong, an osteopathic surgeon at the time. Through the finical support from Fritz Sitterding the group of men formed the Ghent Land Company in 1912. The company put restrictions of the land like number of house allowed on each plot, the owner of the land is responsible for the construction of sidewalks, minimum cost of the houses is $1,500-$2,000, lastly no lots can be sold to individuals of African descent.

Source:

Journal of the New Bern Historical Society (NoCar F 264 N5 J66), Vol. 25 Issue 1, 2018, p40-49

Subject(s):

Civil rights; Gerrymander; African American communities