Let’s face it: North Carolina is astounding. Living here (or even visiting frequently) is a dream come true. Whatever your favorite things are about the Tar Heel State, we’ve discovered a few of the little-known, yet cool, things about our state, too. Check ’em out below. Did you know any of these before now?
- Babe Ruth hit his first home run in professional baseball right here in North Carolina.
Wikipedia/George Grantham Bain
There’s a marker right on Gillespie Street in Fayetteville only 135 yards from where the swing took place.
Visit Fayetteville Now, there are those who will argue vehemently that The Great Gambino hit his first professional home run in Toronto. And we won’t argue that fact. However, Babe’s very first pro home run took place during an exhibition game in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in March of 1914 with the Baltimore Orioles. Because we are good sports here in the Tar Heel State, we’ll allow Toronto to stake a claim, but we know we got there first!
- Krispy Kreme was founded in North Carolina.
Flickr/Bryan Pocius And the famous Hot and Now has been going strong ever since. Dunkin’ WHO?
- Since 1971, North Carolina has grown more sweet potatoes each year than any other state.
Aniko Hobel / Moment Collection via Getty Images Think about that on Thanksgiving when you’re feasting on some of the freshest taters around.
- One of the smallest towns in America is found in North Carolina.
Google Maps As of the 2020 census, Dellview (located in Gaston County) sported a total population of six residents. Currently inactive as a town, Dellview has its own Wikipedia page with scores of info about its past and present.
- The carnivorous plant, the Venus Flytrap, is native to only two states in America.
Joao Paulo Burini / Moment Collection But mainly, it’s only found in North Carolina. The other state is South Carolina.
- During prohibition, North Carolina’s new nickname was The Moonshine State.
allanswart/iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images To be honest, maybe it still is??
- The state motto is the essence of cool: Esse quam videri.
heraldodelsur / DigitalVision Vectors Collection via Getty Images It means, “To be, rather than to seem.”
- The tallest dam in the eastern United States is found in North Carolina!
Google/Whitney Marion Pictured at the far right, Fontana Dam rises 480 feet above the Little Tennessee River below the structure.
- North Carolina has more known emerald reserves than any other state.
SEAN GLADWELL / Moment Collection via Getty Images Want to mine your own? Head over to Emerald Hollow Mine and get started!
Want more reasons to love the Tar Heel State? Check out these 9 Iconic Products That Define North Carolina More Than Anything Else!
Wikipedia/George Grantham Bain
Visit Fayetteville
Now, there are those who will argue vehemently that The Great Gambino hit his first professional home run in Toronto. And we won’t argue that fact. However, Babe’s very first pro home run took place during an exhibition game in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in March of 1914 with the Baltimore Orioles. Because we are good sports here in the Tar Heel State, we’ll allow Toronto to stake a claim, but we know we got there first!
Flickr/Bryan Pocius
And the famous Hot and Now has been going strong ever since. Dunkin’ WHO?
Aniko Hobel / Moment Collection via Getty Images
Think about that on Thanksgiving when you’re feasting on some of the freshest taters around.
Google Maps
As of the 2020 census, Dellview (located in Gaston County) sported a total population of six residents. Currently inactive as a town, Dellview has its own Wikipedia page with scores of info about its past and present.
Joao Paulo Burini / Moment Collection
But mainly, it’s only found in North Carolina. The other state is South Carolina.
allanswart/iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
To be honest, maybe it still is??
heraldodelsur / DigitalVision Vectors Collection via Getty Images
It means, “To be, rather than to seem.”
Google/Whitney Marion
Pictured at the far right, Fontana Dam rises 480 feet above the Little Tennessee River below the structure.
SEAN GLADWELL / Moment Collection via Getty Images
Want to mine your own? Head over to Emerald Hollow Mine and get started!
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