Articles in regional publications that pertain to a wide range of North Carolina-related topics.
Grifton Was Once 'Most Divided Town in NC'
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23680
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Once called “Bell's Ferry,” and “Skinhead,” the small town of Grifton is located on both sides of Contentnea Creek (known locally as Mocassin River). In 1875, a post office was established there known as “Bell’s Ferry,” with Cicero M. A. Griffin named first postmaster. In 1889, the legislature changed the town's name to “Grifton,” in honor of Cicero M. A. Griffin and made it official on January 1, 1890. Following the name change, the railroad came through Pitt County and directly through Grifton. The railroad stimulated the development of businesses and transformed the town. At one time Grifton sat in three townships, Contentnea and Swift Creek in Pitt County and Contentnea Neck in Lenoir County. It was in two senatorial districts, two judicial districts, and two congressional districts. It even had three township constables exercising authority over their respective parts of town.
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